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Introduction
I'm Dr. {name} with {practice_name}, and as a pediatric chiropractor, I understand the overwhelming journey of navigating oral ties. With so many differing opinions from providers, it can feel challenging to know what's best when your baby is struggling with breastfeeding, or showing discomfort or tension. Today, I'm here to help you understand your options and make confident decisions for your baby's care.
In the next 25 minutes, I'll break down exactly what oral ties externally and on a deeper level, share how they can affect your baby's development, and explain how our gentle, natural approach to care can help support your baby's feeding journey and foundational development. And here's why addressing these ties matters so much: whether you're considering revision or exploring other options, understanding how oral ties affect your baby's development helps you make informed decisions for their care.
Let's dive in together and get you the clarity you need to make confident decisions for your baby's health.
Overview
Oral ties or TOTs come in three main types: tongue ties, lip ties, and cheek ties. The causes of oral ties can also come from two different ways There are 2 types of Tethered Oral Tissues: • Genetic-Ankyloglossia or shortening of the frenulum (Neuro-biomechanical-Cranial/spinal/ neurologic imbalance causing muscular dysregulation in the infants feeding system). Think of them like tiny rubber bands that can restrict how your baby's mouth moves. While these tissue connections are completely normal, sometimes they can be too tight or thick. When this happens, it can affect how your little one feeds, breathes, and develops. As a pediatric chiropractor, I look at oral ties through two important lenses: how they affect your baby's daily functions and what they tell us about underlying tension patterns in your baby's body.
You see, oral ties are actually like the tip of the iceberg. What we can see in the mouth often reflects deeper patterns of tension along your baby's midline from their head to their toes. Think of it like a gentle pull in a piece of fabric. That tension can affect the whole piece, not just one spot. We'll dive deeper into this connection when we talk about development, but it's so important to understand that oral ties aren't just isolated to the mouth.
Every baby's oral ties are different, just like every baby is unique. What matters most isn't just whether your baby has a tie. It's how that tie is affecting their daily functions. Some babies might have what looks like a significant tie but manage just fine, while others might have a smaller tie that's causing bigger challenges.
As we go through this together, I want you to think about your baby's daily experiences. Are they struggling to latch effectively? Do they seem uncomfortable during or after feeding? Are they having trouble sleeping, or dealing with digestive issues? These are the functional signs we look for, because they tell us so much more than just what we can see.
Latching/Nursing
First, let's talk about one of the most intimate and sometimes challenging parts of motherhood; breastfeeding. As moms, we often picture those beautiful, peaceful nursing moments with our babies, but when challenges arise, it can feel overwhelming, isolating, and even bring up feelings of guilt or inadequacy. But you are not alone and we are here to help. This is normally the first thing moms notice before getting your baby evaluated for a tie.
Imagine your baby's tongue like a gentle wave. When there's a tongue tie, that natural wave-like movement can't happen properly. Instead of your baby's tongue moving freely to create that perfect seal, it stays lower in the mouth, kind of like trying to drink from a straw that's partially pinched.
This can lead to what many moms in our practice describe as their breastfeeding journey: painful nipples from baby chomping, milk dribbling from the corners of their little one's mouth, or constantly having to flip that upper lip out during feeding. Some moms tell us their babies seem exhausted during feeds, falling asleep before getting enough milk, while others notice their little ones becoming colicky and gassy from taking in extra air during nursing.
These challenges connect to your baby's oral anatomy and nervous system development. When your baby's tongue can't reach the roof of their mouth naturally, it affects everything from how they create suction while feeding to how their palate develops. Think of it like trying to open an umbrella that's stuck halfway. Everything that follows is affected by that initial restriction.
Oral Health & Speech Development
Let's talk about why early identification and support for oral ties matters so much for your child's long-term development. While we often focus on immediate feeding challenges, understanding the potential long-term effects can help you make informed decisions for your child's future.
Speech development is one of the most significant areas impacted by oral ties. Think about how your tongue moves when you speak. It needs to reach different spots in your mouth to make various sounds. When a child has restricted tongue movement, they might struggle to develop clear speech. This isn't just about the physical ability to make sounds; it's about developing a good awareness of their mouth's geography, which is crucial for proper speech development.
Sleep quality is another crucial area affected by oral ties. When the tongue doesn't rest properly in the mouth, it can affect your child's breathing patterns, especially during sleep. Poor sleep quality can then cascade into other challenges. In fact, many healthcare providers are now recognizing this connection so strongly that they're recommending sleep assessments before considering ADD/ADHD medications.
Dental health and facial development are also significantly impacted. The tongue plays a crucial role in naturally cleaning your teeth and shaping your oral cavity. When it can't move properly, we might see:
Food particles staying longer in the mouth, increasing cavity risk
Difficulties with swallowing and an oversensitive gag reflex
Chronic mouth breathing, which can lead to more frequent allergies and congestion
Changes in facial development due to improper tongue positioning
Perhaps most surprising is how oral ties affect your child's overall physical development. Remember that central line we talked about running through your baby's body? Restricted oral tissues can create tension patterns that affect everything from how your baby crawls to how they coordinate movements. You might notice:
Difficulty rolling over or crawling in typical patterns
Back arching or body stiffness
Preference for turning the head to one side
Challenges with coordinated movements
This is why early intervention through bodywork like pediatric chiropractic care can be so valuable. By addressing these patterns early, we can support your child's natural development path and potentially prevent these long-term challenges from fully developing. The goal isn't just to address immediate feeding concerns, but to set your child up for optimal development in all these areas.
Nervous System Involvement
Now let's explore how your baby's nervous system connects to oral ties and feeding. It's truly fascinating how all these pieces work together. From birth, your baby comes equipped with natural reflexes, particularly the suck-swallow-breathe pattern. This isn't something they need to learn; it's built into their nervous system from day one.
When we look at feeding challenges, we need to consider the entire system at work. There's a complex network of nerves (five crucial ones to be exact) working alongside 26 different muscles to coordinate every aspect of feeding. These nerves act like puppet strings, all connecting at the base of your baby's head and top of the spine, constantly communicating with the brain.
Let me break down these key nerves and their roles: The glossopharyngeal nerve controls swallowing muscles, ensuring milk goes down safely. The vagus nerve is particularly interesting. It's like your baby's superhighway, connecting their brain to their digestive system, helping manage everything from tongue movement to digestion. The hypoglossal nerve is the main conductor for tongue movement, while the facial nerve orchestrates all the facial and jaw movements needed for feeding. Finally, the spinal accessory nerve ensures proper neck positioning during feeding.
Here's why this matters: Sometimes what appears to be a tongue tie might actually be related to nerve function. The nerves controlling the tongue might be overactive or underactive, making the tongue appear tight or restricted. Or there might be misalignments in the head and neck affecting how these nerves work. This is what we call a 'biomechanical tongue-tie.'
This is where pediatric chiropractic care becomes crucial. Before considering revision, it's important to assess whether the restriction is truly from the tissue or if it's related to nerve function and body alignment. Through gentle adjustments, we can:
Address nerve interference affecting tongue movement
Align the bones and joints connected to feeding muscles
Release tension patterns throughout the head and neck
Support optimal nerve communication
If revision is needed, chiropractic care becomes even more valuable. Pre-revision care helps optimize healing conditions and ensure proper alignment. Post-revision care supports proper healing and development of new movement patterns.
The goal is to support your baby's natural development by ensuring all these systems work together harmoniously. When we address these underlying patterns, we often see improvements not just in feeding, but in overall development, including future speech, movement, and even emotional regulation.
Conclusion
As we wrap up our discussion about oral ties, I want you to leave this webinar feeling empowered with knowledge and understanding. We've covered a lot today, from how oral ties affect feeding and development to the intricate connection between your baby's nervous system and overall function.
Remember, oral ties aren't just about what we can see in the mouth. They're part of a larger picture involving your baby's entire body, from those crucial nerve pathways controlling feeding to the fascial connections running from head to toe. Whether you're noticing feeding challenges, developmental patterns, or considering revision, understanding these connections helps you make informed decisions for your little one.
As a pediatric chiropractor and soon-to-be mom myself, I understand how overwhelming it can feel when navigating oral ties. There are often differing opinions from various providers, and it's natural to feel uncertain about the best path forward. That's why I encourage you to think about your baby's unique situation and symptoms, considering both the immediate challenges and potential long-term effects we discussed.
If you take away just three key points from today, let them be:
Your baby's body is an interconnected system. What affects one area influences the whole
Early support through appropriate care can make a significant difference in your baby's developmental journey
Whether you choose revision or not, supporting your baby's natural function through pediatric chiropractic care can help optimize their development
Keep in mind that you're not alone in this journey. If you're noticing any of the signs we discussed today, we're here to help support you and your little one. Every step you take to understand and address these challenges is an investment in your baby's future development and well-being.
Thank you for joining me today. If you have specific questions about your baby's situation, I encourage you to reach out to our office. Together, we can create a care plan that supports your baby's unique needs and helps them thrive.
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