If you have a teenager, then you likely do everything you can to make sure they live a happy, healthy life. When they inform you of problems they are having, you likely try hard to help them solve them. However, if you are not aware of the signs of teenage and adult tongue tie, then you may be missing out on the answer to one or more of your child's problems. Many parents have misconceptions that tongue tie is always diagnosed when a child is a baby, because it can cause problems breastfeeding. However, not all children show signs of tongue tie as babies, so the condition can go undiagnosed for many years. Also, if your child had a tongue tie frenectomy when they were a baby, the surgery result may not have lasted if their tongue frenulum "reconnected" with their tongue before it healed properly.

Read on to learn the common signs of teenage tongue tie and how the problem can be fixed. 

Signs of Tongue Tie in Teenagers and Adults

There are many ways to check for teenage and adult tongue tie. However, first take note of any problems your teenager may already be experiencing as a result of an untreated tongue tie. Is your child having trouble playing that wind instrument in the school band, such as the clarinet or flute? Do they speak with a slight lisp, "mumble," or just have some trouble pronouncing some words properly? These are two strong signs that you should check out your teen's tongue. 

Other signs of tongue tie in teenagers include jaw pain and even migraine headaches due to tongue tie making it difficult for your child to maintain proper oral posture; tongue tie makes it more difficult for your child to rest their tongue properly against the roof of their mouth when not speaking, and this can lead to continuous tension in their jaw that gives them frequent headaches. 

A quick, easy way to check for tongue tie in your teen is to ask them where the tip of their tongue sits when their mouth is closed; it should not rest against the back of their teeth, but instead against the ridge of skin just behind their teeth.

Of course, you can also have them open their mouth and lift up their tongue; if their tongue "frenulum," which is the small piece of tissue that connects their tongue to the bottom of their mouth looks shorter than it should or travels further up the length of their tongue than yours (if you do not suffer from tongue tie), then those are both signs that you should schedule a consultation with a doctor to see if your child has tongue tie and they recommend a tongue tie frenectomy for your teen. 

Tongue Tie Frenectomy: Quick and Easy Fix for Tongue Tie

A tongue tie frenectomy is common medical procedure, and it is performed on many babies, children, teenagers, and adults, often by dentists.

To perform a basic tongue tie frenectomy in-office procedure, your teen's dentist will simply inject a numbing solution into their frenulum and then make one or several incisions into your child's frenulum to "free" their tongue from the tissue below it. Your child's doctor may opt to make the incisions with a scalpel, laser, or cauterizing tool. There is typically minimal bleeding after the procedure, but your child's doctor will have your teen hold gauze against the incision site until bleeding stops, if it occurs. 

Since no two mouths and no two frenulums are the same, your teen's frenectomy may differ depending on what type of tongue tie they have. Also, while most tongue tie procedures can be performed in an office setting, your teen may need sedation if he or she is anxious in medical settings and needs the relaxation. Some frenectomies are performed under general anesthesia if they are more lengthy or complicated procedures for complex tongue tie cases, but they are more commonly performed without it. 

If your teenager is having problems speaking, playing an instrument, or headaches, then don't forget to find out if tongue tie may be the cause of their problem(s). If you suspect your child may suffer from it, then take them to a dentist experienced with diagnosing and treating the condition, so they can get a tongue tie frenectomy if they need it to improve their life. You can also find more information at sties like http://www.vfdental.com.