The Unexpected Reason Behind My Son’s Picky Eating

  • The Unexpected Reason Behind My Son’s Picky Eating | | TMJ, Tongue Tie & Sleep Institute – Tongue Tie Treatment in Mumbai, India | Tongue Tie | verified expert in Tongue Tie
The Unexpected Reason Behind My Son’s Picky Eating | | TMJ, Tongue Tie & Sleep Institute – Tongue Tie Treatment in Mumbai, India | Tongue Tie |
  • Share this Article

As much as I joke about how difficult it is to get my kids to eat, I’m not joking today. My oldest son has had a hard time for years eating a wide variety of foods and we finally found the reason WHY.

When he was a toddler the pickiness and slow eating started, I chalked it up to typical toddler pickiness with respect to certain foods. I assumed he would eventually grow out of the pickiness and that things would improve. But they didn’t.

And within the past year, it almost seemed like things were getting worse. Food after food was being crossed off of his list of acceptable meals and snacks. Packing lunch was so stressful and meal times were dreadful for him and me. When he did eat, the quantities he ate were so small and took so long to eat but never ended up finishing it. I was constantly worrying about him getting enough nutrition to grow.

My life has always centred around trying to get him to eat. All of the typical “do this and he will eventually eat” things never worked. And believe me, I tried them all from surfing hours on the internet to reading books to understand what is wrong, trying positive reinforcements, sticking to the routine, being patient, making it fun, involving my child’s help, don’t offer dessert as a reward, setting a good example, name it and I tried it all.
A few weeks ago things came to a head with a meltdown of epic proportions on both his and my part when he would not (could not) eat his favourite food. The one thing I can be guaranteed he will eat. If we are now crossing his favourite and most easily eaten food off the list, then I knew we were in trouble. Something HAD to change. I really started thinking that maybe there was more to this issue than what meets the eye.
A friend of mine suggested that the combination of behaviours and symptoms sounded like a a tongue tie. I was disturbed at the thought.
My oldest child didn’t really have a “problem” gaining weight, he was just always on the smaller side. Although I never thought he had breastfeeding issues, they were likely masked due to the fact that I was working full time and pumping, so he received more than half of his feedings through bottles (which are much easier for a tongue tied baby to eat from). He never had any speech issues though, which is one of the more obvious signs. Could he have had this problem all along? But the more we talked, the more things started to come together. He clenches his teeth every night. He takes forever to chew, sometimes gagging on food and brushing teeth, cavities, migraines, food aversions, messy eating, agitation, texture issues, distrubed sleep, noisy breathing and more.
It took me a while to digest this and after some experience I’ve learned that it is extremely important to find the right person, because most doctors or dentists aren’t truly knowledgeable about tongue ties. We got him evaluated. He does have a tongue tie. Although it might not be obvious to the untrained eye, his tongue was not able to move the way it should. This includes the process of swallowing. His tongue was too tightly tethered to the floor of the mouth making it unable to adequately move upwards and backwards in the normal swallowing motion.
I simultaneously felt relieved and guilty; relieved to have an answer, but guilty because I didn’t figure this out sooner.

Don’t let your child’s picky eating disrupt your family’s well being. Let our expert team help you identify the underlying cause of your child’s feeding issues and provide the care you need. Schedule a consultation today!

Make An Appointment

WHAT ROLE DOES THE TONGUE PLAY?

The tongue plays many important roles during eating. It is responsible for moving the food from left to right so it can be properly chewed. When that doesn’t happen, the food pockets in between the teeth leading to cavities.
When moving the food within the mouth the tongue must be able to create a bolus of food to move it to the back of the mouth where a swallow can be initiated. For this action the front as well as the back of the tongue should be able to reach the palate. Having a tongue tie can limit the movement of the tonguewithin the mouth making the kids feel uncomfortable. Many children unconsciously learn at a young age that certain foods are difficult to eat, so simply avoid them.

Don’t let your child’s picky eating disrupt your family’s well being. Let our expert team help you identify the underlying cause of your child’s feeding issues and provide the care you need. Schedule a consultation today!

Make An Appointment

WHAT ARE THE RECOGNISABLE RED FLAGS FOR YOUR CHILD TO BE PICKY EATER?

The Unexpected Reason Behind My Son’s Picky Eating | | TMJ, Tongue Tie & Sleep Institute – Tongue Tie Treatment in Mumbai, India | Tongue Tie | The child will only eat foods with a specific texture.
Kids are smart and they learn quickly that some foods will practically dissolve if they are left in the mouth, which then requires no tongue movements.
The Unexpected Reason Behind My Son’s Picky Eating | | TMJ, Tongue Tie & Sleep Institute – Tongue Tie Treatment in Mumbai, India | Tongue Tie | The child is a messy eater.
When you have poor tongue control it is difficult to keep the food together. Then it becomes more difficult to manage, which can result in food falling out of the mouth.
The Unexpected Reason Behind My Son’s Picky Eating | | TMJ, Tongue Tie & Sleep Institute – Tongue Tie Treatment in Mumbai, India | Tongue Tie | Food is stored in the cheeks and more food is eaten.
If you are not able to use your tongue to retrieve food that has fallen to the sides of your mouth, it will build up there.
The Unexpected Reason Behind My Son’s Picky Eating | | TMJ, Tongue Tie & Sleep Institute – Tongue Tie Treatment in Mumbai, India | Tongue Tie | Spitting food and gagging
Poor control of tongue makes swallowing difficult resulting in gagging and spitting of food.
“When your tongue is held back here, it can also hold back
a child’s willingness to try new foods.”
Trust your instincts, if you feel like something more is going on try to get to the bottom of it. Save yourself and your child from years of tears and struggle by finding an answer early on. Don’t give up find a tongue tie trained pediatric dental professional who can guide you.
YOU are the best advocate for your child!
Please feel free to ask me any questions. Contact Us
Keywords : tongue tie, picky eater, fussy eater, slow eater, healthy meals for picky eaters, diets for picky eating

Recent Posts

Book An Appointment

category

category

Icon-facebook Youtube Instagram Linkedin

Our Locations

Contact Information

Reach Out To Us

MAKE AN APPOINTMENT

Let Us Know How Can We Help You!

Fields marked with an * are required

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.