Hidden Tongue Ties: What Are They & How Are They Treated?

If your child has been diagnosed with “hidden tongue ties,” you may be wondering what this means. What is a hidden tongue tie? How is it different from a standard tongue tie (ankyloglossia)? And how can it be treated by a dentist like Dr. Jarod Johnson? In this blog from Arctic Dental, we’ll discuss everything you need to know.

What Is a Hidden Tongue Tie? Understanding the Basics

As the name suggests, hidden tongue ties are tongue ties that are located below the rear of your child’s tongue. They’re also called “posterior” (rear) tongue ties, as opposed to anterior (front) tongue ties.

In a standard tongue tie, the band of tissue connecting the tongue to the base of the mouth (lingual frenulum) is overdeveloped and is too thick, causing issues with feeding, speech, and more.

This band of tissue is easy to see. Stick your own tongue out and upward and look into a mirror. The tissue band running vertically along the middle of your lower tongue is your lingual frenulum.

But hidden tongue ties are located at the very back of the tongue, and are often obscured by mucous membranes and the anatomy of the tongue. This can make them harder to recognize and identify.

How Can I Recognize a Hidden Tongue Tie?

It’s very difficult to recognize hidden tongue ties on your own, so it’s best to see a pediatric dentist like Dr. Jarod for a diagnosis. There are a few signs you may want to look out for if you think your child has hidden tongue ties:

• Difficulty latching onto the nipple when breastfeeding
• Your baby makes a clicking sound when feeding
• Colic (excessive crying) and fussiness, especially when feeding
• Problems lifting the tongue, moving it from side-to-side, or sticking it past the lower front teeth
• Difficulty gaining weight
• Your baby seems hungry all the time

How Are Hidden Tongue Ties Treated?

Hidden tongue ties are treated with a frenectomy. This involves using a special laser tool to snip the tissue that’s restricting your baby’s tongue. At Arctic Dental, Dr. Jarod uses powerful laser tools to eliminate discomfort and bleeding, and to help your child heal and recover more quickly.

Once your child has undergone their frenectomy, you’ll also need to follow Dr. Jarod’s instructions to exercise their tongue and mouth. This ensures the tongue heals properly, and that the tongue ties don’t come back. After your child recovers, their tongue will be able to move freely once again.

Worried About Tongue Ties in Muscatine? Come to Our Office Today!

At Arctic Dental, Dr. Jarod has lots of experience treating both anterior and posterior tongue ties, as well as lip ties. If you think that your child may have tongue or lip ties, our team is here to help with laser frenectomies in Muscatine. Contact us online or give us a call at (563) 607-5979 to speak to our dental team, and get the help you need.