Tongue Issues

The tongue is a powerful muscle that helps form the proper shape of the dental arches. It is also involved with breathing, speech, and proper swallowing.

Sometimes, the small membrane under the tongue in the floor of the mouth is attached improperly. This can cause increased wear and grinding of your teeth at night. It also contributes to snoring and sleep apnea by obstructing proper breathing at night.

It is a very easy, painless laser procedure to reposition the membrane (called the frenum). During your exam in our office, we check your bite and the tongue's ability to function properly. It is an "Old Wive's Tale" that impaired speech and "lisping" is the only reason to correct the tongue's functionality.

Tongue thrusting, thumb sucking, and irregular swallowing patterns are common and often early indications that wear problems will develop. As people mature, sleep related breathing disorders are common (snoring and sleep apnea).

Potential Effects of Tongue Dysfunction

1. Speech development
It is important to note that tongue tie does not necessarily impair speech. Many individuals compensate well and have normal sounding speech, even those with the frenum attached very close to the tongue tip under the tongue. Some individuals may have imprecise articulation, especially at speed.

2. Dental health
Cavities ('dental caries') can occur due to food debris not being removed by the tongue''s action of sweeping the teeth and spreading saliva. Jaw pain from incorrect jaw movement.

3. Periodontic health
Gingivitis (gum disease) can develop, for the reason stated above or gum recession .

4. Oral hygiene
Halitosis (bad breath) may be present, due to caries and food debris.

5. Eating and digestion
Some children with tongue tie are messy eaters due to a restricted ability to tidy up inside and outside of their mouths while they are having a meal. Some are unable to circle their lips with their tongue in order to fully lick their lips. In extreme cases poor oral hygiene can lead to digestive complaints.

6. Appearance
The tongue can be unduly obvious or unusual looking in some individuals, particularly when they are close up, or appear on video, film or TV.

7. Oral play
Children in particular may not be able to participate in play routines involving tongue movements and gestures, like playing wind instruments.

8. Headaches
Due to restricted jaw movement there is a potential for headaches.

9. Self- esteem
It has been noted clinically that occasionally an older child or adult will be self-conscious, embarrassed or resentful about their tongue tie.

Pamphlets:
Tongue Exercies | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
Tongue Thrust Letter: Here

We are specialized in San Diego for veneers, white fillings, metal free dentistry, invisalign, laser dentistry, painless treatment, cleaning, laser gum cleaning, laser fillings, no shot dentistry, zoom, tooth whitening, smile makeover, smile enhancement, white teeth, no shot dentistry, no shot fillings, metal free crowns, instant orthodontics, clear braces, sleep dentistry, stop snoring and sleep apnea.

Full List of our Dental Office services in San Diego
Children and Infants | Cosmetic Dentistry | Full Mouth Rehabilitation | Gum Care | Headaches and Jaw Alignments | Implants | Lasers | No-Syringe Anesthesia | Neuromuscular Dentistry | Sedation Dentistry | Snoring and Sleep Apnea | Tongue Issues | Wear and Longevity Issues | Natural Looking Teeth | Whitening | Computerized Bite Alignment | Laser Cavity Detection | Community Service | Comprehensive Care | Biopsy | No Drill Painless Veneers (Durathin) | Invisalign

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