A tongue tie (or ankyloglossia) happens when the thin piece of tissue under the tongue, called the lingual frenum, is too short, thick, or tight.
This restricts how much the tongue can move. For babies, that can make breastfeeding or bottle-feeding difficult. For older kids, it may affect speech, swallowing or even dental development.
Signs to watch for include:
- Trouble latching or clicking sounds while feeding 🍼
- Difficulty sticking the tongue out or lifting it
- Speech that sounds unclear or slurred
- Difficulty with breathing, sleeping and focus
Your local pediatric dentist in Leesburg, VA can help solve the case. Sometimes, the oral restriction can be maintained while improving overall function but in other cases, a simple procedure called a frenectomy can enable free movement and improve comfort.
Early detection will help your Agent eat, speak, and smile with confidence. 🦷✨
