Tongue Tie – What is it?
A Tongue Tie has something to do with when a baby is born it is a mid-line default. Not to worry. It is not life threatening just another something to be aware of. Tongue ties can be troublesome in that breast feeding or if severe enough feeding can become a problem. The mid-wife used to take care of the problem way back when babies were born with the mid-wife but not anymore.
Basically, a tongue tie is where when you open your mouth really wide and then leaving your mouth open can you touch the roof of your mouth. If you can’t you are probably tongue tied. It is genetic – like I am finding out is like most other things.
A baby is a little harder to tell – feeding is one but also if the baby does not stick their tongue out when you stick out your tongue to them it could mean they are tongue tied.
Is it fixable. As a baby “YES”. Take the baby to an ENT (Ears, Nose, Throat) doctor (preferably one who knows what they are doing) and the tongue gets clipped. There are some doctors who clip it but don’t go deep enough and if they have to go in again it may or may not be deep enough. In that case, find another doctor.
There is one in Portland Oregon that is an expert in fixing tongue ties. His name is…………………………..
Doctor usually don’t know about this unless a specific doctor who has ran into it so it is basically up to you to diagnose unless you have an extra special doctor or mid-wife. Occasionally you will find a medical doctor who knows and understands about Tongue Tie.
If you are an adult there is therapy that you need to do if the tongue tie is severe enough.
Problems with having a tongue tie can be:
- Lot of cavities because your tongue does not clean your teeth as it should.
- Shoulder and/or clavicle problems with them being tight – maybe one shoulder is a little higher than another shoulder.
- Hyoid bone (in your throat to help you swallow food) may be cock-eyed.
- I am learning that is also has to do with MTHFR (which is another genetic problem).
More to come as I learn more.