What Is A Tongue Tie?

A tongue tie, also known as ankyloglossia, is a remnant of tissue in the middle, undersurface of the tongue and floor of the mouth that restricts normal tongue movement. This is a physical limitation that affects tongue mobility, function and rest posture. Tongue ties are detrimental to dental and facial growth and development. Patients with a restricted frenum attachment often times display mouth breathing, open mouth posture, and a tongue thrust swallowing pattern. Infants may display this with having trouble breastfeeding due to trouble latching. The infant may have trouble gaining weight as a result. Children with a tongue tie can present with difficulty with speech and articulation. Chewing and swallowing may be difficult, also leading to a picky or messy eater. Mouth breathing and open mouth posture generally is present with forward head posture and sleep disordered breathing. With healthy tongue function, the tip of the tongue should be able to rest comfortably against the roof of the mouth (the palate).

What Is A Tongue Thrust?

A tongue thrust is when your tongue pushes forward during swallowing. This can cause teeth to shift. Even if you have gone through orthodontic treatment, you are at risk for relapse if you do not address the tongue thrust. The tongue and facial muscles can cause teeth to shift in an improper way. Myofunctional Therapy can help address this by teaching you how to properly use your tongue and where it is supposed to be during rest. It can also help with training the face muscles to strengthen and help with mastication and swallowing. The proper learned way of tongue resting posture and mastication can help prevent relapse.

Do I Have A Tongue Thrust?

You may have never noticed if you have a tongue thrust. A good way to see for yourself is to pay attention where your tongue is when you swallow. If your tongue is pushing forward on your front teeth or possibly past your front teeth while swallowing, this is a clear indication. Having an open bite is another indicator that you have a tongue thrust. Many patients that have a tongue thrust are also recommended to get orthodontics. This can be due to having and open bite, cross bite or crowding. You will never get the results you and your orthodontist are wanting if you do not fix the root cause, tongue thrust. Orthodontics will take a lot longer to correct, and possibly won’t be able to fully correct if you don’t address the tongue thrust. After getting braces off, you will most likely have a orthodontic relapse and teeth will move back to where they were prior to braces if you do not fix the original problem.

Having a lisp or speech impediment is another sign of a tongue thrust. Having a hard time pronouncing “T”, “D”, “L”, “S”, “CH” along with a difficulty articulating words, speed and sound is common.

Oral sucking habits can also contribute, or cause a tongue thrust. Continually sucking on fingers, hands, or pacifiers can create malposition of teeth hence causing malocclusion or an open bite. This also can create a high vaulted palate which is hard for the tongue to rest in the correct position.

How To Fix A Tongue Thrust

Myofunctional Therapy is an essential part of the missing puzzle piece. It is very important with myofucntinal therapy to have a good network of providers helping to get you back to health. Going forward with a personalized therapy program will help you understand what you need to do to correct the tongue thrust.

Some patients need to get a frenectomy- removal of lingual (under the tongue), or buccal tissue (lips and cheeks) to help any restriction that is causing their tongue not rest in the proper position.

Orthodontics can provide an appliance that is glued to the maxillary teeth and is like a cage that will stop your tongue from pushing against the front teeth.

Conclusion

None of these modalities alone will stop a tongue thrust. The best results are seen when therapy in combination with a frenectomy (when needed) are done. A team approach is the best approach to getting proper, lasting results.