Causes and risk factors:
The exact cause of tongue tie is not known. Genetic predisposition is the only factor recognized.
Clinical presentations:
In the early days after birth difficulty while breast feeding is noticed. As the child grows up difficulty in protruding the tongue outside or rolling upwards, difficulty in speech with pronunciation of certain words like ‘ R,T,D,S,H,’and in maintaining the oral hygiene is noticed.
Diagnosis and investigations:
Diagnosis is done on the basis of the symptoms narrated by the mother or the oral examination with the help of the tongue depressor. Palpation of the genioglossus muscle on the underside of the tongue aids in confirming the diagnosis.
Treatment:
In some cases the tongue tie is resolved on its own. While in majority of cases surgical intervention is necessary. Frenotomy orFrenoplasty is recommended. Tongue exercises are advised after surgery to facilitate the movement.
