08/09/2023
Amazing!!
We are so grateful to this mother for taking the time to share her daughter's experience with tongue-tie release at 15 years 10 months.
It's not uncommon for for me to hear parents report their paediatrician said something like, "I don't believe in tongue-ties." But for each story like this shared, I hope more minds can be opened.
"Jenna was born in a country hospital in 2006 with a severe tongue tie and only one formed kidney (Unilateral Renal Agenesis). At the time, we asked the medical staff about having the tongue tie “snipped” but were assured that it was only ever done for cosmetic reasons, and that if it didn’t affect her speech in the future then not to worry. Being my first child, I didn’t question it, and as my own family hadn’t had any history of tongue tie, I had no other sources of help or information available; also given the kidney situation, we were mostly focused on making sure that was ok and didn’t really think to ask more questions about the tie.
As a baby, she struggled with both feeding and sleep. I was unable to breastfeed despite my best efforts, but at no point did anyone suggest it may have been related to her tongue tie (insert mothers guilt here!). We put her on formula by the end of the first week, and while she was getting some food down, she would projectile vomit after almost every meal, and had terrible wind pain. Eventually we changed her to a formula with a thickening agent, and that seemed to work a little better. She loved solid food and never complained about any pain - actually, she never once mentioned that it hurt to chew a steak until she was 15 years old in the Sparkle office!
Her sleep situation was disastrous, I nicknamed her “the midnight kid” by the age of 1 as it was impossible to get her to sleep before that time, once finally asleep she would sleep for a few hours, regularly up and down but always with intermittent snoring. She met all her milestones and once she began talking, she didn’t stop! There was a small period of switching R’s for W’s, but once we picked that up and practiced it with her, it wasn’t long before she was pronouncing her words correctly.
Around the age of 14 Jenna experienced some very low points. Her mental health was suffering and it was a very hard time for her. We found a wonderful therapist, and with help and guidance from the GP she tried an antidepressant medication and Melatonin to sleep. Unfortunately Jenna was the exception to the rule, and the antidepressant medication had an adverse effect on her. She experienced a rapid increase in intrusive thoughts, depression and anxiety, so she stopped taking them. As a family, we are neither “for” nor “against” medication of children - we were so frightened of what might happen, of how sad and miserable she had become, that we were prepared to try absolutely anything to help her feel better, and ultimately to keep her alive. Whatever works, right?
In 2022 (15yrs old) we visited the dentist for a check up, and to discuss the possibility of braces as her bottom teeth were becoming quite crooked. He recommended we contact Sparkle Dental and discuss the possibility of a tongue tie release. He explained that there had been a lot of research done in regards to the benefits of a tongue tie release, and that it would assist the braces to helping keep her teeth straight once the braces were off.
We visited Sparkle, and with every visit, we were blown away by the research and information Shereen and Karli shared with us. The links between the tongue functioning properly and the release of “happy” chemicals in the brain when it hits the N-Spot, the way it affected the way she ate, what she would eat, the inability to get good sleep… all the pieces fell into place for us. Once she (begrudgingly if I’m honest) had done her tongue exercises and strengthened the muscle, and frequented the Osteopath for body work, it was finally time for the release. She was asked to try and touch her toes before the surgery - Jenna had NEVER been able to touch her toes, despite also having joint hyper mobility, and she couldn’t do it. She reported to me that she felt all of the tension in her shoulders and neck release WHILE undergoing the procedure, and that was pretty incredible! Once the procedure was done, she rested a while and then tried to touch her toes once more, and it blew her mind that she could actually do it! It became her party trick for the next few weeks, showing anyone and everyone who’d pay attention.
I remember saying to Shereen that I wished I’d known all these things when Jenna was a baby, as it would have saved her from so much pain and distress. However, I am so glad this was suggested when it was, as we have noticed some incredible changes in our daughter since the procedure. She sleeps well, no need for Melatonin anymore. Her general mood improved almost immediately - and for the most part, has stayed in a good healthy space. She happily eats a steak with no pain. She is motivated and excited for life and her future, and we will all be forever grateful that we were pointed in this direction."
Disclaimer:
Any surgical procedure carries risk, and individual results may vary.
Before proceeding with this surgery, you should seek a second opinion with an appropriately qualified practitioner
