Sometimes patients, especially new parents, ask us, what causes tongue tie? Tongue-tie, also known as ankyloglossia, is a congenital issue that originates at birth that may cause problems eating and eventually speaking.
Basically, some infants are born with a frenulum (the fold of skin beneath the tongue, or between the lip and the gum) that didn’t develop as normal. Usually, there is a short or tight band of tissue that tethers the tongue and limits movement. This limits the mobility of the child’s tongue. For example, children with tongue-tie may have trouble sticking their tongue out or moving it from side to side.
There are many variations in the severity of ankyloglossia, and it presents itself differently in different children. Since each case is different, individual medical attention is essential. This article is not a substitute for medical attention. We hope this article on what causes tongue tie raises awareness about an issue that affects some children’s dental and overall physical health.
