It is common to hear about tongue-tie in children. But can there be tongue tie in adults if it is not treated. We will know the nature of the tongue tie. Its complications and the way to treat it as follows:
Tongue Tie in Adults
Tongue bound ( Ankyloglossia ) is a congenital condition in which the frenulum of the tongue or frenulum of the lip is too narrow. Causing restricted movement of these parts.
This in turn can cause significant difficulty with the main functions. This area of the mouth including speech, swallowing, eating and breathing.
Tongue Tie Complications in Adults
If tongue-tie is not treated in childhood. It may cause many complications in adults, as follows:
1. Poor Oral and Tongue Health
Tongue-tie restricts the movement of the lips or tongue. Making it impossible to move the tongue properly. Which in turn affects the flow of saliva in the mouth.
Because saliva is so important to get rid of plaque and oral bacteria. The risk of tooth decay and even gum disease is much higher in patients with tongue-tie.
2. Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction
The movement of the tongue in childhood has a great impact on the position. And development of the teeth and on the structure of the jaw. So the restriction of the movement of the tongue causes a small size of the mouth, jaw and palate.
This can lead to TMJ pain, severe jaw and neck pain. Difficulty moving and closing the jaw, and a number of other unpleasant symptoms.
3. Sleep Apnea
Due to tongue or lip weakness caused by tongue-tied. Oral and airway structures are smaller than normal. Which may cause obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). When oral tissues begin to relax and block the entire airway several times during the night, often for 10 seconds or longer .
This prevents restful sleep. And can contribute to the risk of heart attack or stroke.
4. Speech Problems
This is one of the most noticeable problems with tongue tie in adults. It is difficult to speak clearly. When the tongue is closely tied to the mouth and cannot move properly and may lead to slurred speech.
Tongue-tie Treatment for Adults
Tongue-tie can be treated with a frenulumectomy or a laser procedure. Frenusectomy requires examination of the frenulum tissues of the upper lip, lower tip and lower tongue to allow freedom of movement.
Frenomy may be associated with the following:
- Oral frenulum resection of the upper lip. Which treats problems with the tissues connecting the upper lip to the mouth.
- Oral frenulum resection of the lower lip. Which helps to modify the tissue that connects the lower lip to the mouth.
- A lingual frenulum resection. Which helps to modify the group of tissues that connect the tongue to the roof of the mouth.
- In the case of surgery local anesthesia is given. The surgery is not complicated, recovery is short. And frenulumectomy is used when the frenulum tissues in the mouth cause a restriction in movement. And begin to impair the normal functions of the mouth.
- This procedure can help improve speech, reduce pain, and allow patients to chew.
