An individual is said to be tongue-tied if they have a condition known as ankyloglossia. This means that the frenulum, the piece of tissue that connects the tongue to the floor of the mouth, is too short. This is an abnormality that occurs in approximately 3 to 5% of the population. There are many mild, normal variations in frenulum length with no clinical significance and no need for intervention; only severe cases that cause problems (with eating, speech, and physical appearance) need to be treated
Symptoms of being tongue-tied include:
- difficulty breastfeeding as a baby
- poor weight gain
- speech difficulties (a speech impediment)
- a "V" shaped notch at the tip of the tongue
- problems sticking the tongue out
- inability to touch the roof of the mouth
- inability to move the tongue from side to side
- problems licking an ice cream cone or sucker
- dental problems
AS mentioned above, being tongue-tied does not always cause problems. That is to say that there are varying degrees of ankyloglossia. Severe "tongue tied" defects can cause problems such as difficulty swallowing, speaking, or eating. When these types of problems occur, treatment is necessary. The way ankyloglossia is treated involves a surgery called a frenulotomy. This surgery lengthens the frenulum to allow the tongue freer range of motion.
Source:
American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery. Fact Sheet: Tongue-tied (Ankyloglossia). Accessed August 24, 2010 from http://www.entnet.org/HealthInformation/Ankyloglossia.cfm
Auckland. Newborn Services Clinical Guideline - Tongue Tied (Ankyloglossia). Accessed: August 24, 2010 from http://www.adhb.govt.nz/newborn/Guidelines/Nutrition/Ankyloglossia.htm
