Frenectomies & Tongue Ties

Frenums

Many people have lips and tongues that are held too tight by the frenum (that ligament that attaches your lips and your tongue to your gum and jaw bone). This can cause

• gum recession in between the teeth (mainly the front upper and front lower teeth).





• gum recession on individual teeth





• gaps between teeth

Tongue Ties

Normal Tongue Function

In an infant, a normal tongue moves around freely and is not confined by teeth and therefore extends outwards between the upper and lower jaw. Whilst swallowing the infants keep their jaws parted and the tongue is placed between gum pads to produce a vacuum for swallowing (called the infantile swallow)

At 2.5 years of age when all the milk teeth have erupted, this “infantile swallow” is replaced by the adult swallow. Here the lips are closed, the jaws bite together and the tip of the tongue is raised and pressed against the front part of the upper jaw.

Abnormal Tongue Function

Tongue ties occur in children whose tongue is attached to the floor of the mouth and as a result can’t move the tongue around.

It may impede speech and many babies can find it difficult to suckle if they have a tied tongue. Mothers, midwives and doctors see this often.

If a child has a tongue tie then they do not outgrow their infantile swallow and continue to swallow with their jaw apart.

 

A tongue tie may cause multiple developmental problems. These include from a younger age to an older age

Poor breastfeeding with inadequate weight gain due to hunger and malnourishment

Sleep disturbances

Nipple pain for mothers

Unable to swallow normally leading to a swallowing pattern which creates orthodontic problems such as open bite and crowded teeth.

Impaired speech- Some children can compensate well and have normal sounding speech, even those with a tongue tie attached very close to the front of the tongue tip. Unfortunately, many children may have imprecise articulation, especially when talking quickly.

Dental health problems - Cavities can occur due to food debris not being removed by the tongue’s action of sweeping the teeth and spreading saliva which may also result in gum disease.

Poor self esteem - Children with poor communication as a result of being tongue tied often show low self-esteem.

Inadequate facial development including

a. an open bite situation (where the front teeth do not touch with each other when the child closes his/her mouth). This happens because during swallowing the tongue sits between the teeth in the front part not allowing the jaws to come together.

b. The upper jaw does not develop fully resulting in

• crooked or crowded teeth
  
  
• the lower jaw being trapped inside the upper jaw this not allowed to grow properly as well.
  
  
• iii.long term sleep disordere breathing problems that may lead to
  • snoring
  • sleep apnoea leading to tiredness and therefore ADHD
  • ADHD
  • multiple ear infections
  • bed wetting

Laser Resection of Tongue Tie

Under topical (cream) anaesthetic on the tongue tie, we can precisely and painlessly remove the tissue making it very comfortable for your baby. It takes practically 2 – 3 mins to perform but some cooperation from the patient is required to keep still. There is no bleeding afterwards, no sutures and hardly any discomfort.

Babies can suckle immediately after the procedure! It is a truly amazing way to have surgery.

Children go to school the day after and adults can go back to work the same day.  Eating is normal.

Follow Up

• Dentist – will help improve problems with decay and development of the jaw
• Speech Therapist – will help in speech and language problems
• Lactation Consultant – will help you with improving breastfeeding and poor suckling

If you would like more information on this subject, please contact Smile Concepts directly by clicking here or ringing 02 9267 7777