What Happens If I Don’t Treat My Child’s Tongue-Tie?

  • What Happens If I Don’t Treat My Child’s Tongue-Tie? | | TMJ, Tongue Tie & Sleep Institute – Tongue Tie Treatment in Mumbai, India | TMJ | verified expert in Tongue Tie
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As a parent, your child’s health and development are your top priorities. But what if something as small as a thin string under the tongue could quietly impact their ability to feed, speak, breathe, and grow properly?

That “something” is called a tongue-tie (medically known as ankyloglossia), and ignoring it can have long-term effects. In this blog, let’s break down—in simple words—what happens if you don’t treat your child’s tongue-tie and why early intervention makes all the difference.

What Is a Tongue-Tie in Children?

A tongue-tie is when the tissue (called the lingual frenulum) under your child’s tongue is too short or tight. This limits how well their tongue can move.

Some kids show signs right from birth, especially during breastfeeding. Others show symptoms as they start speaking or eating solids.

Common signs of tongue-tie:

  • Trouble latching or sucking during breastfeeding
  • Clicking sounds while feeding
  • Slow weight gain in infancy
  • Speech delays or unclear pronunciation
  • Mouth breathing or snoring
  • Struggles with chewing or swallowing food

Why Tongue-Tie Should Be Treated Early

The tongue is a small muscle with big responsibilities! It helps in:
  • Feeding and swallowing
  • Speaking clearly
  • Proper jaw and facial development
  • Maintaining oral hygiene
  • Breathing through the nose

What Happens If You Don’t Treat Tongue-Tie?

If you Skip treatment or wait too long, it can lead to:

Feeding Struggles

  • Babies may have difficulty latching, causing pain to the mother
  • Inadequate milk intake and poor weight gain
  • Bottle-feeding challenges too, including choking or taking too long to feed

Speech Delays

  • Trouble with sounds like “L,” “T,” “R,” and “S”
  • Mumbling or unclear speech
  • Lower confidence while talking

Sleep Issues

  • Mouth breathing instead of nose breathing
  • Snoring and disturbed sleep
  • Sleep-disordered breathing or mild sleep apnea

Dental and Oral Problems

  • Food getting stuck due to limited tongue mobility
  • Poor oral hygiene and increased cavities
  • Risk of gum recession from abnormal tongue movement

Behavior and Emotional Challenges

  • Frustration from communication issues
  • Social withdrawal in school or play environments

How Can Untreated Tongue-Tie Affect Breastfeeding?

For newborns and mothers, untreated tongue-tie can create a stressful feeding journey.

In babies:

  • Poor latch and fussiness during feeds
  • Long feeding sessions that leave them still hungry
  • Risk of switching to bottle early

In mothers:

  • Sore nipples, blocked ducts, or mastitis
  • Early end to breastfeeding goals
  • Emotional stress and guilt

Benefits of Treating Tongue-Tie Early

Treating tongue-tie—often through a quick, gentle tongue-tie surgery or laser release—can lead to amazing improvements in your child’s overall development.

  • Better feeding experience for both baby and mom
  • Improved speech clarity and early language development
  • Healthier jaw and facial growth
  • Better breathing patterns during day and night
  • Boosted confidence in social situations

How Is Tongue-Tie Treated?

At Dr. Ankita Shah’s clinic , we take a comprehensive and child-friendly approach.

Step 1: Diagnosis

We assess tongue mobility, symptoms, feeding habits, and speech. Sometimes we use specific tools and videos for a clear diagnosis.

Step 2: Treatment

  • Laser tongue-tie surgery is safe, quick, and mostly painless
  • Takes just a few minutes with minimal bleeding
  • No stitches or hospital stay required

Step 3: Post-Surgery Support

We often recommend Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy (OMT) to strengthen the tongue and help with new patterns of movement like swallowing or breathing.

Tips for Parents: What You Can Do Right Now

  • Watch for signs — feeding issues, speech delays, open-mouth posture
  • Consult a tongue-tie specialist — don’t rely only on advice from general doctors
  • Don’t wait for your child to “outgrow” it — in most cases, it won’t go away on its own
  • Follow post-treatment exercises — they’re just as important for long-term success

As a parent, it’s heartbreaking to see your child struggle—especially when there’s a solution. Untreated tongue-tie can lead to avoidable issues, from feeding and speech delays to breathing and sleep concerns.

If you suspect your child might have tongue-ties, don’t wait. Book a consultation with Dr. Ankita Shah and take the first step toward a healthier, happier future for your child.

Frequently Asked Questions

Not usually. If it’s affecting feeding or speech, it needs attention.
With laser surgery, it’s very quick and gentle. Most babies feed right after the procedure.
We treat newborns, toddlers, and even older children. The earlier, the better!
Tongue-tie release combined with therapy can significantly help.

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Comprehensive Care for Tongue Tie and TMJ Disorders

At our institute, we take pride in providing complete care for issues related to tongue tie and TMJ. To enhance your quality of life, we treat a range of ailments with state-of-the-art technology and expert care. If you’re searching for an effective tongue-tie operation option or a TMJ specialist in India, you have arrived at the right place.

Why Choose a Tongue Tie Operation?

A tongue tie operation or tongue tie surgery is a life-changing procedure that not only restores tongue mobility but also has a full body effect. While most people associate tongue tie with breastfeeding difficulties in infants, it can also affect speech, breathing, posture, dental health, and sleep patterns in older children and adults. By undergoing this minimally invasive fascia release procedure, patients often experience immediate improvements in functionality and overall well-being.

Benefits of a Tongue Tie Surgery

For individuals considering tongue tie surgery, the benefits are far-reaching:

  • Improved Speech Clarity : Eliminating the restriction improves the tongue's range of motion, which improves the articulation of words and sounds.
  • Better Oral Hygiene : Increased tongue movement makes it easier to maintain good oral hygiene, which lowers the chance of dental issues.
  • Enhanced Eating and Swallowing : Adults and children with eating difficulties often find relief post-surgery.
  • Improved Sleep : In some cases, releasing a tongue tie can alleviate sleep apnea or other breathing-related issues.
  • Improvement in Breathing efficiency : Surgery can improve nasal breathing efficiency, helping individuals transition away from compensatory mouth breathing that often leads to health concerns like dry mouth or increased susceptibility to infections.
  • Better Posture : The tongue plays a role in stabilizing the head and neck. Releasing a tongue tie can alleviate strain on these areas, promoting better posture and reducing tension in the shoulders, neck, and jaw.

TMJ Specialist Mumbai: Advanced Care Tailored to Your Needs

The Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) that is your Jaw Joint has a significant impact on one’s quality of life, as they leave the person feeling exhausted and irritable. It not only affects essential functions like chewing, speaking, yawning but also affects one’s posture, breathing and sleep. As a leading TMJ specialist in Mumbai, we offer comprehensive diagnostics and personalized treatment plans to address your unique needs.

Innovative Treatments by TMJ Specialists in India

Our approach to TMJ disorders combines state-of-the-art technology with evidence-based practices. We specialize in:
  • GNeuromuscular (GNM) Orthotic Therapy: Using advanced techniques like TENS & Jaw Tracking machines to achieve a balanced jaw and body alignment.
  • Non-Invasive Pain Management: Treatments such as laser therapy, myofunctional therapy, and physiotherapy.
  • Holistic Interventions: Integrating multidisciplinary care related to diet and mental health to treat the root cause of TMJ pain.

The Role of Tongue Tie in TMJ Disorders

Many patients are unaware that tongue tie and TMJ disorders can also be interconnected. A restricted tongue can lead to compensatory behaviors that strain the jaw, progressing towards TMJ issues.

Personalized Treatment for All Ages

Infants

For newborns, a tongue tie operation is critical in supporting breastfeeding. Infants struggling to latch or feed effectively benefit greatly from a quick and safe procedure.

Children

Tongue tie in children might affect their oral health and speech development. They can significantly enhance their quality of life with a tailored tongue tie surgery.

Adults

Adults often seek tongue tie operations for relief from symptoms such as speech impediments, TMJ pain, or even snoring. Combining tongue tie surgery with myofunctional therapy ensures optimal results.

Integrated Myofunctional Therapy

An integral part of our treatment protocols is myofunctional therapy. Exercises used in this therapy help to strengthen and coordinate the muscles of the tongue and face. Whether you’re undergoing a tongue tie operation or being treated for TMJ issues, myofunctional therapy plays a pivotal role in ensuring lasting outcomes.

Expertise and complete treatment are essential for treating TMJ issues or tongue tie. Whether you’re searching for the best tongue tie surgery options or a trusted TMJ specialist in Mumbai, we ensure personalized care and transformative results. Don’t let these conditions stop you—reach out to us today to book your consultation and start your journey toward better health and wellness.