Whether your child’s first words were “mama” or “dada,” you’ve likely sealed that moment in your memory. Hearing them speak for the first time probably led you to encourage them to say more words as the years passed. But at some point, you noticed a change that made you pause and wonder if something might be amiss. If that point is now, a tongue-tie could be to blame. A minor lisp or slurred speech can signal a problem that, if left untreated, can cause more issues later. Keep reading to find out how this abnormality affects your child’s speech and what you can do to fix it.
What Kind of Speech Problems Can a Tongue-Tie Cause?
Many people think a tongue-tie is “no big deal,” but it can make life much harder for your child as they grow up. Peer interactions can be especially challenging, so it’s important to address the problem as soon as you notice it.
If you have a toddler, you may notice:
- They become frustrated when trying to talk
- They mumble or have unclear speech
- They have trouble pronouncing “t,” “d,” “l,” “r,” and “n”
- They struggle to eat with a spoon
If you have a school-aged child, you may notice:
- They use other words that don’t cause their speech impediment to be as bad
- Their peers or teachers have trouble understanding them
- They avoid speaking in social situations or in the classroom
- They read slowly
If these signs go untreated, they can impact your child emotionally in many ways. They may feel embarrassed or anxious and struggle in school, especially when it requires participating in class presentations.
How Can You Fix a Tongue-Tie?
Fixing a tongue-tie isn’t as difficult as you might think. Centuries ago, people used scalpels to lacerate the thick band of tissue, but thanks to modern technology, many professionals use a soft tissue laser to perform a frenectomy.
This procedure releases the tissue that connects the underside of the tongue to the floor of the mouth. The laser’s concentrated beam and precision target only the band, leaving nearby tissues untouched. As a result, there is less bleeding and swelling, and your child can recover more quickly at home.
You will notice right away that your child can move their tongue up and down and left and right, with a greater range of motion than before.
A laser frenectomy can eliminate a tongue-tie and help your child speak and pronounce certain sounds and words more clearly. Seeking treatment early can help resolve the issue now so your child enjoys a better quality of life in the future.
About the Author
Dr. Garcia-DeMartino is a lip and tongue-tie specialist in Phillipsburg. She became an expert in soft and hard tissue lasers after attending the International World Clinical Laser Institute. She offers her services to children struggling to speak confidently and performs laser frenectomies to improve tongue movement and quality of life. If your child has a tongue-tie that needs revision, visit our website or call (908) 859–5260 to schedule an appointment.