Symptoms of a Tongue Tie
There are many signs and symptoms in both children and adults, these are just a few.
-poor sleep
-chronic indigestion
-crowded teeth
-mouth breathing
-chronic pain
-inability to raise tongue to roof of mouth
-teeth grinding and clenching
-forward head posture
-speech problems
-Inability to latch when breastfeeding, painful breast feeding for mom
There is an incredible amount of research emerging from all over the world regarding this topic. Some epigenetic research supports how the muscles we use for chewing have changed over time. Some research also supports environmental issues like pollution and food allergies may be a contributing factor in oralfacial development.
Research supports length of time breastfeeding as an infant has a strong effect on the development of a proper swallow pattern and tissue development.
Underneath the tongue there are various fibres and tissue that, if restricted, can keep the tongue from properly functioning for swallow and rest positions. These tissues, for one reason or another developed incorrectly.
These tissues are tight and restrictive. Myofunctional Therapy can help these tissues and relieve the tension between the muscle of the tongue and the floor of the mouth. This tension can be a contributing factor in posture and head and neck development. When caught early, with the help of therapy, correcting a tongue tie and the myofunctional development can help in the overall development of the dental arches and airway, possibly preventing breathing disorders and malocclusion.
Often times, an Orofacial Myofunctional Therapist may need the help of other practitioners like orthodontists and speech pathologists to help develop the arch form while treating with Myofunctional Therapy,