Tongue tie (medical name: ankyloglossia) is a condition present at a child’s birth that restricts the tongue’s range of motion. This happens when the tissue connecting the underside of the tongue to the floor of the mouth (called the lingual frenulum) is shorter, tighter, or thicker than usual.
Tongue tie may seem like a minor issue to parents or caregivers; untreated tongue tie can lead to various long-term effects in children that can impact their overall health and development.
The best Pediatric Dentist and Pediatrician in Dubai can diagnose and treat tongue ties in your newborn baby to avoid potential issues and discomforts, as explained below:
a) Speech and Communication Challenges
One of the most important impacts of untreated tongue tie is on a child’s ability to speak clearly. If a child’s tongue is restricted, they may struggle with pronouncing certain sounds, especially those that require the tongue to touch the roof of the mouth or the teeth, like “d,” “l,” “r,” “s,” “t,” “th,” “s,” and “z.” With more time, tongue-tie can lead to speech delays, making it difficult for the child to communicate effectively with others.
Children with untreated tongue tie might also develop compensatory speech patterns, where they use other parts of their mouth to make sounds, which can result in unclear speech. As children grow older, these speech difficulties can lead to discomfort, lower self-esteem, and challenges in social interactions and academic performance. In such cases, parents or caregivers should consult with a Speech Therapist at the best Pediatric clinic in Dubai.
b) Feeding and Nutritional Issues
Tongue tie can make breastfeeding difficult for infants. A baby with tongue tie may have trouble latching onto the breast, leading to inadequate milk intake and poor weight gain. For the mother, this can result in painful nursing and early weaning, which might prevent the baby from receiving the full benefits of breastfeeding.
As the child grows, feeding challenges may keep growing without proper treatment or tongue-tie surgery. Chewing and swallowing solid foods can be difficult if a child’s tongue does not move freely. This can lead to picky eating habits, a limited diet, and nutritional deficiencies. In severe cases, untreated tongue tie may also contribute to poor growth and development due to inadequate nutrition.
c) Dental Health Concerns
The restricted movement of the tongue can prevent it from performing its natural cleaning action, where it helps remove food particles from the teeth and gums.
As a result, children with tongue ties may be at a higher risk for cavities and gum disease and should be treated at the best Pediatric Dental Clinic in Dubai. Additionally, tongue tie can lead to tooth sensitivity and increase the risk of tooth decay in little children.
d) Oral Function and Development
The tongue plays a vital role in the overall function and development of the child’s mouth. Untreated tongue tie can lead to abnormal oral habits, such as mouth breathing, because the child may find it easier to breathe through their mouth rather than their nose. Mouth breathing can cause dryness in the mouth, increasing the risk of tooth decay and gum disease.
In addition, tongue tie can affect the proper development of the roof of the little one’s mouth. This can lead to bite problems, such as an open bite or crossbite, where the upper and lower teeth do not align properly. These issues often require treatments from the best Orthodontists and Pediatric Dentists in Dubai.
e) Impact on Sleep
Sleep is essential for a child’s growth and development and an untreated tongue tie can disrupt their sleep quality. Children with tongue ties are more likely to develop sleep-disordered breathing conditions, such as obstructive sleep apnea. This occurs when the restricted tongue falls back into the throat during sleep, blocking the airway and causing interruptions in breathing.
Poor sleep can have a wide range of effects on a child’s health, including daytime fatigue, difficulty concentrating, behavioral issues, and impaired learning. Over time, chronic sleep deprivation due to tongue-tie can impact a child’s overall well-being and quality of life.
f) Emotional and Social Effects
The challenges associated with tongue tie, if not treated by the best Pediatrician in Dubai, can also affect a child’s emotional and social development. Speech difficulties, feeding issues, and dental problems can make a child feel different socially, leading to feelings of embarrassment or discomfort.
They may avoid social situations or struggle to make friends, which can impact their self-esteem and confidence. These negative experiences can have lasting effects on a child’s mental health and can carry over into adolescence and adulthood.
Final Comments
Hence, tongue tie is more than just a minor inconvenience for children. If left untreated, it can lead to a range of long-term effects that impact a child’s speech, feeding, dental health, sleep, and emotional well-being. Early diagnosis and treatment (tongue-tie surgery) are essential to prevent these complications and to ensure that the child can develop and thrive.
If you suspect that your child may have a tongue tie, it’s important to consult with healthcare professionals, such as Speech Therapists, Pediatric Dentists, or Pediatricians in Dubai, who can assess the situation and recommend appropriate treatment options. In many cases, frenectomy can release the tongue and allow it to move freely, helping your child develop the skills they need to eat, speak, and grow with confidence.
How Can myPediaclinic Provide Expert Care For Tongue Tie Condition in Children?
At myPediaclinic, our team of specialized Pediatricians and Pediatric Dentists is dedicated to providing comprehensive care for little children with tongue-tie conditions. Our best Pediatricians in Dubai are trained and experienced to diagnose tongue tie early, even in infants, ensuring that any feeding difficulties are addressed promptly.
Our best Pediatric Dentists in Dubai work closely with parents or caregivers to develop tailored treatment plans for correcting tongue-tie in children. By identifying tongue tie early, our pediatricians and healthcare staff help prevent potential long-term effects, allowing children to grow without unnecessary challenges.
Our Pediatric Dentists at myPediaclinic, the best Pediatric Dental Clinic in Dubai, play a crucial role in managing the oral health implications of tongue tie in children. We provide thorough evaluations to evaluate how the condition might affect a child’s dental development, speech, and overall oral function. If required, our Pediatric Dentists can perform a frenectomy, a minor procedure to release the tongue and restore its full range of motion.
By offering specialized care and guidance, our Pediatricians and Pediatric Dentists help ensure that children with tongue ties achieve optimal oral health and develop strong and healthy smiles. Book an appointment at myPediaclinic today to provide best-in-class and friendly care for your child’s tongue tie condition.
