Tongue-tie

Tongue-tie (also known as ankyloglossia) is a condition present at birth that restricts the tongue's range of motion. It occurs when the lingual frenulum (the band of tissue that connects the underside of the tongue to the floor of the mouth) is too short and tight, causing the tongue to be tethered to the floor of the mouth.

Symptoms

Tongue-tie can affect a person's ability to eat, speak, and swallow. It can also interfere with a baby's ability to breastfeed. Symptoms may include:

• Difficulty lifting the tongue to the upper teeth or moving it from side to side
• Trouble sticking out the tongue past the lower front teeth
• A tongue that appears notched or heart-shaped when stuck out

Causes

Tongue-tie is a condition that is present at birth. It occurs when the lingual frenulum, the band of tissue that connects the underside of the tongue to the floor of the mouth, fails to separate before birth.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of tongue-tie is often made during a physical examination. The doctor may use a screening tool called the Hazelbaker Assessment Tool for Lingual Frenulum Function (HATLFF) which assesses both the appearance of the tongue and its function.

Treatment

Treatment for tongue-tie usually involves a surgical procedure called a frenotomy. If additional repair is needed or the lingual frenulum is too thick for a frenotomy, a more extensive procedure known as a frenuloplasty might be an option.

See also

• Frenulum of tongue
• Speech and language pathology

External links

• Mayo Clinic - Tongue-tie (ankyloglossia)
• NHS - Tongue-tie