Tongue Tie Treatment

CORRECTING A TONGUE TIE

Fortunately, Dr. Tad Morgan can provide much-needed treatment for this common condition. Keep reading to learn how to recognize symptoms of tongue tie and find out how Dr. Morgan can help!

Tongue tie is a common issue.

While many people think it only affects children, the truth is that it affects individuals of every age. The effects may be subtle but have severe consequences over the course of your lifespan and overall health.

It happens when the band of tissue (known as the lingual frenulum) connecting the tongue to the floor of the mouth is too tight and restrictive, preventing the tongue from moving properly.

When the tongue’s range of motion is restricted, it can contribute to issues including irritability, poor nutrition, delayed jaw growth, posture problems and more.

Fortunately, Dr. Tad Morgan can provide much-needed treatment for this common condition. Keep reading to learn how to recognize symptoms of tongue tie and find out how Dr. Morgan can help!

What Causes Tongue Ties?

The cause of tongue ties varies depending on the patient’s age. The most common causes of tongue ties are:

  • Certain syndromes such as Opitz syndrome, Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome and Simpson-Golabi-Behmel syndrome
  • Premature birth
  • Congenital conditions such as cleft lip and palate

In most fetuses, the lingual frenulum separates before birth so the baby’s tongue can move freely. In some cases, this separation does not occur, thus leading to a tongue tie. There are no specific risk factors for a tongue tie, although some research indicates that genetic factors are involved because tongue tie tends to run in families. It has also been noted that a tongue tie occurs more frequently in boys than in girls.

There have even been studies that relate tongue tie to a folic acid deficiency in mothers. Regardless of whether a lack of folic acid is a specific cause of a tongue tie, it remains an important nutrient for pregnant women who want to give their baby the best possible start in life.

Treatment for Tongue Tie

If you experience any of the above symptoms of tongue tie, do not hesitate to get in touch with our office. Tongue tie division, also known as a frenectomy or tongue tie release surgery, is a procedure that loosens the restrictive tissue to allow for full range of motion. Using a soft-tissue laser, Dr. Morgan can perform this procedure with maximum efficiency and minimal discomfort. Unlike traditional surgical procedures that call for a scalpel and sutures, this simple procedure reduces bleeding and does not require stitches.

Adults who receive treatment for tongue tie will notice an improvement in their eating, breathing and speaking. If you undergo a frenectomy, it may take a bit of time for you to learn how to use your unrestricted tongue in the best way. We can help you via myofunctional therapy, a technique that uses tongue exercises to improve muscle tone and coordination. This helps you achieve better results.

Some patients also benefit from myofunctional therapy and speech therapy if speech difficulties exist as a result of a tongue tie.

What Is Myofunctional Therapy?

Myofunctional therapy (also known as myotherapy) is a noninvasive method used to treat various oral and orofacial disorders. It is based on the principle that muscles have specific functions and that dysfunction of one muscle group affects other groups. For example, if the tongue is too short because of a tongue tie, the lips cannot move properly. In turn, this makes chewing difficult and leads to improper tooth alignment.

This therapy aims to correct these issues by strengthening the affected muscle groups. By doing so, we can reduce the risk of recurrence of the problem and ensure that your facial muscles function as intended.

Learn the Facts About this Common Issue

Tongue tie is a common issue for children. It is what happens when the piece of skin connecting the tongue to the floor of the mouth is too restrictive, blocking its proper range of motion. Tongue tie can cause a host of issues, ranging from irritability to poor nutrition, delayed growth, and more. Fortunately, Dr. Tad Morgan can provide much-needed treatment for this common condition. Keep reading to learn how to recognize symptoms of tongue tie and how Dr. Morgan can help!

Identifying Tongue Ties in Children and Infants

Parents of children and babies with tongue ties often have no idea their child has a tongue tie. They may simply think their child has a “big” tongue. However, parents should look for signs of a tongue tie in children and infants. These signs include:

  • Narrowed space between teeth
  • Smaller-than-normal tongue
  • Reduced tongue mobility
  • Swelling around the neck
  • Lack of proper jaw development
  • Lack of proper tongue control
  • Inability to close lips properly
  • Unable to suck effectively
  • Difficulty chewing food
  • Difficulty pronouncing sounds
  • Speech delay
  • Difficulty swallowing
  • Difficulty breathing through nose
  • Difficulty sleeping
  • Difficulty learning new words
  • Difficulty laughing
  • Difficulty smiling
  • Difficulty blowing out candles
  • Difficulty blowing bubbles
  • Slow weight gain

Symptoms of Tongue Tie in Adults

Sometimes, tongue ties go undetected and/or untreated until a person reaches adulthood. Signs and symptoms of tongue tie in adults include:

  • Dental health problems, such as bad breath, cavities and gum disease
  • Choking on liquids
  • Poor tongue function
  • Neck, back and facial pain
  • A heart-shaped tongue
  • Pain or difficulty when kissing
  • Speech problems when tired or after drinking a small amount of alcohol
  • Everyday speech problems when talking quickly, loudly or softly
  • Pain or clicking in the jaw
  • Restricted range of tongue movement
  • Difficulty swallowing
  • Food getting trapped in the palate or next to the gums
  • Trouble eating certain textures
  • Digestive problems
  • Difficulty opening the mouth wide
  • Mouth breathing
WHY CHOOSE US FOR TONGUE TIE TREATMENT?

Treatment for Tongue Tie

If you or your child experience any of the above symptoms of tongue tie, do not hesitate to get in touch with our office. Tongue tie division, or a frenectomy, is a procedure that loosens the restrictive tissue to allow for full range of motion. Using a soft tissue laser, Dr. Morgan can perform this procedure with maximum efficiency and minimal discomfort. Unlike traditional procedures that call for a scalpel and sutures, this method reduces bleeding and does not require stitches.

Adults who receive treatment for tongue tie will notice an improvement in their eating, breathing, and speaking. If you undergo a frenectomy, it may take a bit of time for you to learn how to use your unrestricted tongue in the best way. We can help you via myofunctional therapy.

Unparalleled Qualifications and Comprehensive Care

Tongue tie can affect one’s dental and facial development, and it can cause problems well into the later stages of life. Receiving treatment for tongue tie is important! But whom should you choose to provide tongue tie treatment? Do not simply pick any doctor who advertises that they treat tongue tie. Take your time to do some research so you can find someone who is truly qualified to provide comprehensive, effective treatment.

Dr. Tad Morgan and our team have a keen interest in tongue tie and in helping our patients find relief from it.  As you will discover on this page, we are your best choice for treating tongue tie in East Texas. In fact, Dr. Morgan is one of only four providers who is qualified to perform the high level of tongue tie treatment that is available in our practice. He is experienced in helping his patients enjoy a functional and healthy mouth. He even started practicing once a month in Dallas to allow more patients to receive his quality care because Texas is one of the few states where patients can even get these types of treatments.

The Breathe Institute

The Breathe Institute is an organization that promotes healthier breathing through a range of services. Its affiliates address a range of structural and behavioral issues that can hinder people’s breathing and thus dramatically affect the quality of their sleep and their overall quality of life. Tongue tie is one such issue. As an Affiliate of the Breathe Institute, Dr. Morgan works alongside other professionals to advance awareness and treatment of disorders that affect the way people breathe.

The Breathe Institute is headquartered in California, but their Affiliates and Ambassadors form a larger network. Dr. Morgan is proud to be able to apply the Institute’s principles to help patients in East Texas.

A Multidisciplinary Approach

Many people make the mistake of thinking that treating tongue tie is as simple as performing a frenectomy, a short procedure that loosens the tissue that connects the tongue to the floor of the mouth. In most cases, however, successfully treating tongue tie is more complex. It often requires that patients undergo myofunctional therapy.

Myofunctional therapy trains patients to use their tongue properly and keep it in its correct resting position. When this therapy is performed both before and after a frenectomy, it enables patients to truly experience freedom from the symptoms and complications of tongue tie. Our practice has an in-house myofunctional therapist who can help patients master the use of their tongue and thus enjoy fewer speech problems, easier breathing, and more.

Gain Freedom from Tongue Tie and Its Symptoms

Some individuals are under the impression that treating tongue tie is as simple as performing a frenectomy. However, because tongue tie hinders proper function of the mouth and tongue, addressing this condition becomes, not just a one-step treatment, but a multi-stage process wherein the tongue must be trained to work as it should. Let’s discuss how Dr. Morgan can guide you through the steps necessary to gain true freedom from tongue tie in East Texas.

Pre-Surgery Myofunctional Therapy

A frenectomy, a minimally invasive procedure that allows the tongue to regain its full range of movement, is a pivotal part of addressing tongue tie. However, many children and adults require myofunctional therapy before their frenectomy. During myofunctional therapy, Our myofunctional therapy expert, will guide you through a series of exercises. The goal of the exercises is to strengthen the tongue and prepare it to function at its best after you undergo a frenectomy.

Starting myofunctional therapy prior to the frenectomy will prevent you or your child from slipping back into the bad habits that the tongue tie caused. For example, it encourages nose breathing rather than mouth breathing. Hence, you may experience some relief from tongue tie symptoms even before your surgery.

Frenectomy

Although we do have laser treatment, Dr. Morgan uses the scissors and sutures more often due to its effectiveness. With this treatment, Dr. Morgan can remove the vertical band of thin tissue that connects the tongue to the bottom of the mouth, allowing it to move freely. Once the tissue is removed, Dr. Morgan will suture the affected area to begin the healing process. This procedure can be performed in just 45 minutes with local anesthetic, making it incredibly easy to receive.

Post-Surgery Myofunctional Therapy

If you had a surgery on your knee or elbow, you would expect to undergo some physical therapy afterward, right? Think of a frenectomy in the same light; post-surgical myofunctional therapy is basically physical therapy for your mouth. The exercises you perform with Lindi’s guidance will help you:

  • Keep your tongue and lips in a proper resting position. This can prevent dental problems and improve facial aesthetics.
  • Chew and swallow effectively and efficiently. You should be able to enjoy a broader range of foods once you master proper use of your tongue.
  • Continue to strengthen the tongue. You will thus be better equipped to pronounce words correctly and clearly.

In addition to myofunctional therapy, you might benefit from other treatments. For example, if your tongue tie caused tongue thrust, and the tongue thrust led to orthodontic problems, you may need treatment to address those issues. You may also benefit from speech therapy.

Properly treating tongue tie is quite the journey for some individuals, but it is worth it! If you would like to learn how Dr. Morgan and his team can free you or your child from this condition, contact our practice today.

Learn More About Tongue Tie Treatment Process

Are you and/or your child dealing with the painful and exhausting effects of tongue tie? Do not hesitate to contact Dr. Morgan to seek professional help. A frenectomy is a simple and painless procedure that allows for full range of motion for successful feeding and an easier, healthier life. Go ahead and contact us to book an appointment with Dr. Morgan!

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