Ankyloglossia, commonly known as a tongue tie, is a condition that limits the movement of the tongue. This is something that is present at birth, and it can require treatment from a trusted oral health professional. If your child has received a diagnosis of ankyloglossia, talk to our team at Crosspointe Dental & Orthodontics about your next steps.

What Is Ankyloglossia?

You know the connection between your tongue and the bottom of your mouth? That is called the lingual frenulum. Ankyloglossia happens when the lingual frenulum is abnormal, and this can happen because it is shorter or thicker than in most children.

Any diagnosis for your child can feel like a frightening thing, especially when you do not have all the information that you need. Tongue ties are no exception, and our team wants you to fully understand the condition.

How A Tongue Tie Can Affect Your Child

The tongue plays a pivotal role in your child’s oral health development. So, a diagnosis of ankyloglossia is something that needs to be taken seriously, and our team is here to help your little one.

Your child’s tongue provides pressure on the palate, which serves to shape the maxilla (upper jaw). It also pushes on the back of the front teeth, helping to create healthy orthodontic alignment. With a tongue tie, these may not happen as they should, which can lead to various issues with their dental development.

Tongue-Tied Graduate

Dr. Coerver is a Tongue-Tied Academy Graduate

Impacts Of Ankyloglossia On Their Airway

Here at our office, we are always thinking about the health of a child’s airway. As they grow, even seemingly minor situations can affect their entire life, so we make sure to keep these in mind.

Ankyloglossia can pose numerous orthodontic problems, including:

  • A high-arched or narrow palate, which can impact the development of their nasal airway
  • An open bite, where the child’s front teeth to not touch when their mouth is closed
  • A crossbite due to narrow palate
  • Misalignment of the teeth and potential malocclusion
  • Crowded teeth from a lack of tongue pressure

Talk To Our Team About Tongue Tie Treatment

If your little one has been diagnosed with ankyloglossia, it is important to talk with your orthodontist about their next steps in treatment. There may be different options to help your child to have a safer smile, depending on the circumstance. These factors include the age of the child, as well as the extent of their condition.

For some with more minor ankyloglossia, routine observation is helpful to ensure proper palate development. However, in other instances, this may not be enough, at which point a surgical solution is a better fit. This happens through a frenectomy, where the orthodontist cuts the lingual frenulum to allow more tongue movement. After healing, this gives your child a normal range of tongue motion to promote healthy palate development and teeth spacing.

Call Crosspointe To Learn More!

Has your child received an ankyloglossia diagnosis? Talk to a trusted orthodontic expert about ways to help them grow up with a healthy airway and a beautiful smile.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, reach out to our team at Crosspointe Dental & Orthodontics in Mansfield, TX at (817) 592-8475!