Right, let’s talk about the little gremlin no one told you about when you were flicking through all those adorable baby name books — tongue tie. Yes, that pesky bit of tissue under your child’s tongue that can make feeding, speech, and oral hygiene about as easy as herding cats. Shockingly, tongue tie affects around 4-11% of newborns, with boys having a slightly higher chance of drawing the short frenulum straw according to the NHS. And globally? The figure’s around 5% of newborns. Now, that’s a lot of babies wrestling with their own tongues.

If you’re thinking, “Well, isn’t that just something fussy mums worry about?” Think again. Because ignoring tongue tie can be like brushing your teeth with a fork — sure, you might make progress, but it’s painful and hardly efficient. Let’s dive into what it is, how it affects kids, and when you should consider sorting it out.

What is Tongue Tie (Ankyloglossia)?

Tongue tie, or Ankyloglossia if you’re feeling fancy, is a condition present at birth where the frenulum — that little string-like tissue connecting the underside of the tongue to the floor of the mouth — is shorter or tighter than it should be. Essentially, it’s like tying a balloon with a rubber band that’s way too short. The tongue just can’t move around freely, which can make everything from feeding to speaking a bit of a nightmare.

According to a study by the British Journal of General Practice, approximately 5-10% of all newborns have some degree of tongue tie. So, if you’re dealing with this, you’re definitely not alone.

Characteristics of Tongue Tie

• Limited tongue mobility (it’s doing its best, but the frenulum is having none of it)

• 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 notched or heart-shaped appearance of the tongue when stuck out — cute, but problematic.

Boys seem to draw the short straw here, with tongue tie being more common in them than girls. And while some cases are obvious from birth, others sneak up on you when your child starts feeding or attempting those precious first words.

How Tongue Tie Affects Kids: Speech, Feeding & Oral Health

Now, you might be thinking, “Surely a little flap of tissue can’t cause that much trouble?” Wrong. Think of tongue tie like trying to write with a pen that has a dodgy nib — it works, but it’s frustrating and the results aren’t always clear.

Speech Development

Tongue tie can really mess with speech development. Sounds that require the tongue to touch the roof of the mouth or move freely (like “t,” “d,” “z,” “s,” “th,” “r,” and “l”) can become an Olympic-level challenge.

Signs of Speech Difficulties Due to Tongue Tie:

• Mangled pronunciation of certain letters

• Speech delays

• Muffled or unclear speech

• Frustration during communication (cue toddler tantrums)

If left unchecked, it can lead to low self-esteem and social issues because, let’s be honest, kids aren’t the kindest critics. According to the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT), untreated tongue tie can affect communication skills and may require speech therapy to correct.

Feeding Problems

Infants with tongue tie may look at breastfeeding like it’s a sudoku puzzle — they’re trying, but the effort doesn’t always add up to success.

• Difficulty latching during breastfeeding

• Endless feeding times (like, they’ve been feeding for an hour and still aren’t full)

• Poor weight gain

• General frustration during feeding (by both the child and the frazzled parents)

Older kids may find certain foods impossible to eat — think licking ice cream or sweeping food around the mouth. Some clues you might notice include:

• Messy eating habits

• Struggling to move food around the mouth

• Pain or discomfort when eating

Feeding issues aren’t just a temporary inconvenience; they can impact your child’s growth and nutrition. And that’s not something to brush under the rug.

Oral Health Issues

Ah yes, the part where the dentist gets involved. If your child can’t move their tongue properly, cleaning their teeth becomes a slapdash effort.

• Difficulty cleaning food debris from teeth

• Increased risk of cavities and gum problems

• Swallowing and chewing difficulties

• Poor tongue mobility leading to gaps between teeth or misaligned bites

Good oral hygiene requires the tongue to be an active participant. And if it’s stuck in one place, it’s just not pulling its weight. Learn more about how this impacts children’s oral health in our Oral Health for Kids section.

This article contains elements of satire intended to engage and educate readers about tongue tie in children. While humour can be a powerful educational tool, it is not meant to trivialise or undermine the experiences of those dealing with this condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for diagnosis, advice, and treatment. This content is for informational purposes only and should not replace professional guidance.