Tongue tie is just a string under the tongue, right?
I hear the craziest things about tongue tie from parents and the medical community. For example I have heard many times:
-Tongue tie is a fad
-The dentists just want to make money
-There is no evidence to show a procedure is necessary
-There is no evidence to show bodywork helps
-The baby will grow out of it
-If the baby can stick out their tongue they don’t have a tongue tie
-A little snip is all that is ever needed
-And many more myths! So let’s talk about these:
Tongue tie is a fad- In the 1600’s midwives were know to keep 1 long fingernail to pop the frenulum under a baby’s tongue right after birth if it was restricting movement. The tool used to lift and look under the tongue was designed in the 1600’s! Over 400 years of knowing and dealing with a condition would not be a fad in my book.
The dentists just want to make money- Being a dentist can be a lucrative field. However, preforming frenectomies requires an expensive laser, training, coursework and time. It means more insurance hassles and is more trouble than regular dentistry. If a provider was solely motivated by money regular dentistry is easier for more money.
There is no evidence to show a procedure is necessary- The highest standard of research is double blind, randomized, controlled studies. However there is a lot of ethical considerations in denying a procedure for an infant when the provider knows it will help. There are other types of studies as well, and even evidence-based medicine in what a provider sees first hand in their practice.
There is no evidence to show bodywork helps- Bodywork means manual therapy. Depending on what is needed it can be done by many different providers- a Craniosacral therapist, Chiropractor, Physical Therapist, Osteopath, Massage Therapist, Myofunctional Therapist and more. Western medicine is sadly too focused on pills and quick fixes, but anyone who uses alternative medicine treatments can speak to their efficacy. I can’t explain how acupuncture works, but I know it does. Our bodies are meant to be moved and touched. Healing with touch is not only amazing but so much simpler than meds (without all the risks too!)
The baby will grow out of it- this one cracks me up! Grow out of it? So if you were born with two fingers fused together, would the doctor tells you parents don’t worry you will grow out of it? I don’t think so. Totally ridiculous. A tongue tie doesn’t go away. What may cause feeding issues in infancy, can lead to food aversions and sleep issues in childhood and advance to sleep apnea, migraines and more in adulthood.
If the baby can stick out their tongue they don’t have a tongue tie- Anyone who says this does not understand the anatomy or function of a tongue. This is an amazing muscle (really more like an organ) that is made up of 9 muscles! Some anchor into the TMJ others start and end inside the tongue. Some of those muscles are meant to work on extension, but others are for elevation, and others still for cupping. All the muscles need to have full function and range of motion for good oral health.
A little snip is all that is ever needed- Sometimes when a Pediatrician acknowledges a TT, they will say they will just fix it now and do a tiny snip. This can frequently make things worse. A baby with a tight tongue is making compensations, not ideal but possibly functional. When an incomplete relates happens, baby loses their compensations, has an open would and yet still doesn’t have full range of motion. They also were probably not prepared with bodywork, sucking exercises and rhythmic movements to help both baby and parents work through this issue together.
What crazy tongue tie myths have you heard? Have any you want me to help demystify? Let me know what thoughts and questions you have.