Frenectomy and Tongue Tie Release
The frenum is an anatomical fibrous band that connects 2 surfaces of the mouth. The more obvious regions would be between the upper lip to the upper gums, and tongue to the floor of the mouth. This restricts your tongue movements. Strong frenal attachments may inhibit speech, restrict lip flexibility, and even worsen gum problems.
This is usually a birth condition and can be identified in infants when mothers experience breastfeeding problems. It happens in certain cases in Singapore and is not a rare phenomenon.
Frenectomy and tongue tie releases are simple procedures done under local anaesthesia that remove this aberrant structure to facilitate speech and oral hygiene. There is minimal downtime, and you can usually quickly resume your normal diet and daily routine by the second or third day.
Benefits of Tongue Tie Release
Better Breathing
The position of the tongue directly and indirectly affects breathing and can make it difficult to breathe. If you have a tongue ligation, your tongue may not be able to move, restricting the passage of air through your throat. This can lead to increased mouth breathing. It can also contribute to tongue dropping and throat closing at night. This airway restriction can lead to snoring or sleep apnea.
The position of the tongue also indirectly affects breathing, as it affects the development of the mouth. Since the shape of the jaws helps determine the size of the airways, a tongue ligation can lead to narrow airways that are more prone to collapse, causing snoring or sleep apnea.
These breathing problems can affect you throughout the day. In addition to breathing problems during sleep, you may also have limited breathing during the day. The result can be a tendency to run out of breath easily and feel exhausted during the day.
Freeing the tongue can get it out of the way and make breathing easier both at night and during the day.
Improved Oral speech
Some individuals with tongue-tie may have imprecise articulation, especially at speed. Having tongue-tie release surgery may possibly enhance the speech speed and enunciation of certain words.
People with a tongue-tie often have pronounced lisps and may find it difficult to make sounds like:
- “T”
- “D”
- “Z”
- “S”
- “Th”
- “R”
- “L”
They might also find it difficult to speak loudly.
Getting your tongue tie released can help you speak clearly so that your words will be heard and understood. This can make you more confident about speaking in public or speaking up at work.
Enhanced Oral Health
The role of the tongue in eating is not just to taste; Your tongue helps you brush your teeth. If your tongue movement is restricted, your tongue may not be able to properly clean the backs of your teeth. This means you have an excessive buildup of food debris on the backs of your teeth, which increases your risk of tooth decay and gum disease.
Loosening the tongue ligament can improve your tongue’s ability to clean your teeth and gums, which improves your oral health.
Enhanced eating habits and digestion system.
The tongue also plays an important role when you eat. Your tongue helps move food through your teeth so that it is broken down and ground down. Tongue binding can interfere with this function. If your tongue can’t push food into your teeth, you may not be able to chew effectively. Foods that are hard to chew become much less appealing. Not chewing food properly can also make it difficult to appreciate the taste.
Your tongue also helps you swallow. If your tongue is blocked, you may have a harder time swallowing, making some foods unpleasant.
You will find it easier to eat and enjoy foods with a tongue release procedure.