The consequences of an untreated tongue tie can be many and varied, depending largely on the age of the subject and the severity of the condition. The demands made on us increase as we grow older, and our environment becomes less forgiving of mistakes. Delay in treatment, therefore, can have very negative consequences.
For Infants
Inability to breastfeed successfully in the presence of a tongue tie can cause a variety of challenges for the infant, the mother and the family. For the baby, these may include:
- Impact on milk supply
- Termination of breastfeeding
- The baby failing to thrive
- Poor bonding between baby and mother
- Sleep deprivation
- Problems with introducing solids
The maternal experience of breastfeeding a tongue-tied baby may include:
- Pain
- Nipple damage, bleeding, blanching or distortion of the nipples
- Mastitis, nipple thrush or blocked ducts
- Severe pain with latch or losing latch
- Sleep deprivation caused by the baby being unsettled
- Depression or a sense of failure
For Children
Children with a tongue tie have to contend with difficulties which may only be discovered as they grow older. These can include:
- Inability to chew age appropriate solid foods
- Gagging, choking or vomiting foods
- Persisting food fads
- Difficulties related to dental hygiene
- Persistence of dribbling
- Delayed development of speech
- Deterioration in speech
- Behaviour problems
- Dental problems starting to appear
- Loss of self confidence because they feel and sound ‘different’
- Strong, incorrect habits of compensation being acquired
Dental Clinic East Berlin - East Berlin Smiles
Tel: 717-259-9596
418 West King Street
East Berlin, PA 17316
USA
