Transformative Oral Health Care
Tethered Oral Tissues (Tongue or lip tie)
Myofunctional Therapy for Tongue or Lip Tie
What is Tongue Tie?
Tongue tie is when a cord or band of tissue (lingual frenum) connects the underside of the tongue to the floor of the mouth. This doesn’t allow the tongue to move freely, in and out of the mouth, or around the mouth, around the teeth, or up to the roof of the mouth.
Everyone has a lingual frenum, but some are shorter or tighter, greatly affecting the tongues mobility. This can create a negative effect on our oral development, function, speech and breathing.
Common Symptoms of Tongue Tie:
Infants and tongue tie:
-Mouth breathing
-Can cause difficulty breastfeeding
-Tummy problems such as colic or reflux
-Painful nursing for mothers
-Ear infection
-Difficulty introducing solid foods
Children and tongue tie:
-Mouth breathing
-Snoring or teeth grinding
-Delayed speech development
-Messy or noisy eating
-Ear infections
-Dental cavities
Adults and Tongue tie:
-Chronic headaches facial or jaw pain
-Clenching and grinding
-Mouth breathing
-Shoulder or next tension
-Poor sleep
-Poor dental health
-Poor posture
Book an Assessment
Myofunctional Therapy and Frenectomy (pre and post care)
It is essential that pre and post care and exercises are included when the decision is made to have a frenectomy. The muscles of the tongue have never been used properly, so exercises are used both to prepare the tongue for the frenectomy, and after to rehabilitate the tongue to proper rest and function. Pre and post frenectomy care also ensures that optimal healing occurs and that reattachment does not occur. For best results a series of exercises should be done at least 5-6 weeks before the scheduled frenectomy.
To your health,
Tenna Micks, RDH, Orofacial Myofunctional Therapist