Dr. David's

Pearls of Wisdom
How do I know if I'm tongue-tied

Most people think if they can stick there tongue out then they must not be tongue tied. Unfortunately that’s not always the case. It’s the range of motion and the function of the tongue that really matters. Many people go there entire life with a tongue tie. The good news is you don’t have to. For those who go a lifetime with a tongue tie they compensate and end up with a lot of other problems along the way. By releasing a tongue tie, the quality of life will improve tremendously!

It all starts when you are born.

  1. If breastfeeding is an issue an IBCLC is person to consult with first. They look at the function of the oral motor skills of the baby not just the latch.
  2. Speech and language is a big part of a tongue tie. A SLP will help refer.
  3. Body workers such as physical therapist, occupational therapist, chiropractor and osteopath all help play a roll in a tongue release.
  4. Myofunctional therapist helps with pre and post-op care.

Once a tongue tie has been diagnosed and treatment is scheduled it is important to be working with at least one of these specialist post op if not more than one of them for optimal results.

A tongue tie can be released at any age but the younger the better to help prevent other health issues!