Tongue frenulum — small but crucial for development
Basics
The tongue frenulum, also known as the frenulum linguae, is a thin piece of tissue that connects the underside of the tongue to the floor of the mouth.
Its shape and length vary greatly from person to person – and this is precisely the crucial point: while a flexible, elastic tongue frenulum does not impair tongue function, a frenulum that is too short or too tight can significantly restrict the tongue’s natural mobility.
Restricted tongue mobility often goes unnoticed in everyday life – but has profound effects in the background. If the tongue cannot rise freely against the palate, the physiological resting position of the tongue is disturbed. As a result, the tongue lies permanently too low in the mouth, which impairs the healthy development of the upper jaw, face, and breathing. The tongue loses its important role as a growth motor for the upper jaw.
Typical signs
Typical signs of a tongue tie in children are:
- Difficulty resting the tongue on the palate
- Restricted mouth opening (less than half the normal width)
- Noticeable speech development or incorrect sound formation
- Myofunctional disorders such as mouth breathing or swallowing problems
- Neck Tension
Treatment
When treatment is necessary
In many cases, a tight tongue tie can be sufficiently loosened and made more flexible through targeted stretching exercises as part of myofunctional therapy. However, if this conservative treatment is not sufficient, the tongue tie should be loosened or severed in a minimally invasive procedure under close therapeutic supervision – a procedure that usually takes only a few minutes in specialized practices.
combination
Always in combination with myofunctional therapy
It is particularly important to note that cutting the frenulum alone is not sufficient to normalize tongue function in the long term. Only accompanying myofunctional therapy can prevent restrictive scar tissue from forming in the area of the small wound, which would block the tongue again.
At our mykie® practice, every step of the treatment is part of a carefully coordinated overall concept. Functional therapy, healing support, and aftercare are precisely coordinated with the aim of restoring full mobility to the tongue after the procedure and permanently securing its crucial role in jaw development, breathing, and speech formation.
A seemingly small anatomical detail such as the tongue tie can play a major role in the overall development of children. A thorough diagnosis, early assessment, and individually tailored treatment—whether through stretching or surgical solution—are crucial to avoid long-term consequences and lay the foundation for healthy growth.