Tongue-tie is a physical condition that limits the tongue’s range of motion. It is also known as ankyloglossia. Usually, a short, thick, or tight band of tissues called frenulum hitches at the bottom of the tip of the tongue to the floor of the mouth. A person with a tongue-tie faces difficulty in striking their tongue out. It also affects the way a person speaks, eats, or swallows their food.
Adults and Children with Tongue-Tie
Tongue-tie can happen in both adults and children. In children, tongue-tie is a common condition that is resolved after the age of two to three years and barely has any side effects. It is up to the child’s parents whether they want to treat their child’s tongue-tie or wait for it to resolve on their own.
Adults with tongue-tie get used to it by using their tongue typically. However, it can come with a lot of side effects which include speech impairments, and dental issues for a longer time. Look for the doctor as soon as possible, if it is causing any problem in your health. Also, seek therapeutic exercises that will help you in improving your speech.
So, before looking for its treatment, let us look at its symptoms.
Symptoms of Tongue-Tie
Adults and children with tongue-tie often face difficulty in speaking, eating, drinking, and breathing. They will also find it hard to stick their tongue out of their mouth and lift their tongue to their top-notch. It appears in a heart shape when sticking it out.
How to Treat Tongue-Tie
Tongue-tie can be treated in two ways:
- In the first procedure, the doctor clips the frenulum with a clean pair of scissors. It is less painful as there are no nerves or blood vessels in the frenulum. This process is known as Frenotomy.
- In the second procedure, the doctor performs surgery by giving the child drugs to numb the thick frenulum and then uses a particular tool to cut it off. It would also require some stitches whose wounds resolve on their own.
If you are an adult, the doctor will analyze the situation and give you the best plan to resolve the tongue-tie. However, before diagnosing you, they will execute some physical exams and look at your medical history.
Galan Dental, San Jose, CA offers advanced treatment for tongue-tie in adults and children. For more information and consultation, contact Dentist in San Jose, CA at (408) 377-8200 or book an appointment online.