Dubai/UAE- Nowadays, it seems like the majority of people talk about tongue ties. It is also one of the most growing problems among little ones. But how does it affect the talking ability of the kids? Here we’re going to cover a brief on tongue tie and its role in affecting speech and language development. Read on to explore if tongue and lip tie surgery is the right choice for your child.

What Is Tongue Tie?

Dr. Medhat Abu-Shaaban, Award-winning Pediatrician in Dubai, defines tongue tie as -

“A tongue tie is a common congenital condition in newborns and young children, in which their tongue remains attached to the floor of their mouth, making it difficult to speak or breastfeed.”

Simply put, a child's tongue is connected to the bottom of his or her mouth by a tissue called the lingual frenulum. However, some kids are born with shorter, thicker, or tighter lingual frenulum resulting in tongue ties.

Some children can adjust to tongue-tie as they get older, but if it's causing problems like difficulty feeding or speaking, it's best to treat it sooner rather than later. A minor surgical procedure is often recommended by pediatricians and pediatric dentists in Dubai to treat the condition.

Tongue tie symptoms can range from mild to severe. In most cases, the symptoms are usually mild enough not to interfere with daily life.

A pediatrician or pediatric dentist should be consulted if your child exhibits any of the following symptoms:

For newborns:
1. Difficulty latching when breastfeeding.
2. Breastfeeding for extended periods of time.
3. Feeling hungry all the time.
4. Problems gaining weight.
5. Your baby is making a clicking noise while feeding.

For young children:
1. You may notice your child having difficulty speaking with sounds that require them to touch the roof of their mouth or the upper front teeth with their tongue. Some children face trouble pronouncing letters like “r”, “l”, “t”, “d”, “z”, “s”.
2. Difficulty swallowing food.
3. They have difficulties sticking their tongues out and up.
4. Having difficulty playing wind instruments.

How Do Tongue Ties Affect Speech Development?

The tongue plays an essential role for kids in forming certain sounds and speech. The little ones need to move their tongue freely in multiple ways to produce the sound. However, children with tongue-tie problems have a limited range of tongue motion.

It is possible for children with this condition to develop speech problems. You should see a tongue tie specialist as soon as possible as it may continue to worsen over time. Pediatricians and pediatric dentists can diagnose the problem and determine whether it is affecting your child's speech.

Not all children with tongue ties face issues with speech development. However, if the speech seems to be an impediment, pediatricians and pediatric dentists at myPediaclinic in Dubai can help.

About myPediaclinic:

MyPediaclinic is a state-of-the-art multi-specialty pediatric clinic in Dubai that is loved by children and parents alike. They provide all the services your child needs under one roof: Pediatrics, Pediatric Dentistry, Nutrition, and Orthodontics. The clinic is located in Dubai Healthcare City, a well-established destination for health and wellness in Dubai. Their amazing doctors use the latest technology to help make accurate diagnoses and provide precise treatment.