Tongue Tie Release Surgery

Why Do People Get a Tongue Tie Release Surgery?

There are several reasons why people get tongue tie release surgery:

• Difficulties in breastfeeding: Infants with a tongue tie may have trouble latching onto the breast, which can lead to poor feeding, no weight gain, and distress for both the infant and mother.
• Speech difficulties: Speech may be difficult to understand. The child may find it tough to pronounce letters like “t,” “d,” “z,” “s,” “th,” and “r.”
• Oral hygiene issues: Someone who has limited tongue movement and strength may have a hard time sweeping food debris from around the teeth. This can increase the risk of tooth decay (cavities) and gum (periodontal) disease.
• Eating difficulties: One common problem with tongue tie is that the person is unable to use their tongue to move food around inside their mouth. This makes it difficult for the person to eat certain foods and could trigger fussy eating.
• Dental problems: A tongue tie can cause a high-arched palate, problems with the way the top and bottom teeth meet (malocclusion), or a gap between the bottom two front teeth because the tongue is in the way.
• The social and emotional impact of oral motor disorders: Factors that affect the individual's daily life can have an impact on their self-esteem and social interaction.

These indications may vary depending on individual circumstances and may require assessment by a healthcare provider, such as a pediatrician, lactation consultant, speech-language pathologist, or oral and maxillofacial surgeon, to determine the most appropriate treatment plan. 

Understanding the Anatomy of Your Tongue

Understanding the anatomy of your tongue involves recognizing its various structures and functions.

• Muscles: The tongue consists of intrinsic and extrinsic muscles. Intrinsic muscles control the shape and size of the tongue, whereas extrinsic muscles help in movement. 
• Papillae: These are small structures that cover the surface of the tongue and contain the taste buds. There are four types of papillae, including filiform, fungiform, foliate, and circumvallate papillae.
• Taste buds: These sensory organs are located in the papillae and have the function of detecting various tastes.
• Saliva glands: The tongue contains numerous salivary glands that produce saliva. It aids in digestion, lubricates food, and helps maintain oral health
• Blood Supply and Innervation: The tongue receives blood supply from branches of the lingual artery and is innervated by multiple cranial nerves, including the hypoglossal nerve (CN XII) for motor function and the glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX) for taste sensation.

Being familiar with these aspects of tongue anatomy can help people take better care of their oral health and identify any potential abnormalities that might require the attention of a medical professional.