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How can I alleviate my tongue tie?

Recently, two guys from completely different backgrounds came into my office asking for the same laser frenectomy, to alleviate their tongue ties, for completely different reasons!

Biker David complained about his tongue-tie condition, noting “it hurts when I kiss.” Yogi Mark wanted to be able to position his tongue to the back part of his palate to reach a certain state of enlightenment. Both men suffered from the restriction of the tongue-tie condition, but it affected their lives in different ways. A happy ending came as both were smart in finding the most comfortable and effective way to rid themselves of their tongue-tie problems.

Tongue ties can affect children and adults of all ages; it is estimated that up to 4.8% of the American population suffers from a tongue tie. What happens is the frenum (the excessive fibrous attachment connecting your tongue to the floor of your mouth) is thicker than it should be, resulting in your tongue’s inability to move about freely. Not only is this physically uncomfortable, but your speech, eating habits and even oral health can be adversely affected! Spacing between the two front teeth can occur due to improper tongue movement, and gum recession can also occur.

Treatment of a tongue tie is a relatively simple procedure, however great advances have been made from the days of scalpel cutting. A laser frenectomy, the most effective treatment for a tongue tie, is the surgical release of tension of the frenum with laser energy. This procedure will enhance the stability of a corrected diastema, gum recession or alleviate a tongue tie. Because the treatment is done with a laser, the laser energy produces a precise, blood-free cut (the energy actually seals the blood vessels and nerve endings), so the procedure is painless, heals quickly and is complication free. Most people will immediately enjoy the benefit of normal free tongue movement; people who suffer from a speech impairment due to the tongue-tie may need training to speak properly.

You can contact the Academy of Laser Dentistry to find a qualified laser dentist to help you if you have a tongue-tie. My two patients were smart in finding a comfortable and effective way to rid themselves of their tongue-tie problems.