Can untreated ankyloglossia cause health problems?

Dental
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Can untreated ankyloglossia cause health problems?

Ankyloglossia, also known as tongue tie, is a condition present from birth where the lingual frenum gets thickened or shorter than normal.

This leads to restricted tongue mobility, and this, in turn, can cause a notched or cleft appearance of the tongue. In severe cases, it can cause breastfeeding issues, dental misalignment, food accumulation, and psychological stress.

Signs and symptoms

Babies

  • Takes a long time to feed

  • Trouble latching

  • Poor weight gain

  • Clicking or slurping sound while feeding

  • Difficulty in opening the mouth widely

  • Fussy or upset during feeding

  • The tongue may be heart-shaped while sticking out

Mother

  • Mastitis - milk is not removed completely

  • Sore nipple

  • Less milk production

  • Feeling tired after constant feeding

If not treated, it can lead to feeding and swallowing problems, dental problems, sleep problems, speech issues, oral hygiene issues, and social and emotional problems. The treatment depends on the severity of the ankylosis. Most of the time, the treatment involves a multidisciplinary approach involving dentists, speech therapists, and ENT doctors.

Share your thoughts on ankyloglossia!

MBH/PS

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Frenotomy and frenuloplasty are the treatment options for ankyloglossia.

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A new learning about Ankyloglossia, I did not know about such condition

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I also like that you addressed the dual perspective—both the infant’s challenges and the mother’s symptoms such as sore nipples, reduced milk transfer, and mastitis due to incomplete drainage. Often, the maternal impact is overlooked even though it’s a key reason breastfeeding fails early.

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