You’re probably familiar with the phrase “getting tongue tied” which refers to feeling too shy or embarrassed to speak. But in the case of now 8-year old Mason Motz in Texas, he’s now feeling anything but.
According to an article from Inside Edition, Motz spent the first five years of his life unable to speak a word. Thought to be a result of Sotos syndrome (a disorder characterized by excessive facial growth that may delay abilities), his condition was determined by a dentist who specializes in special needs patients and children to be related to ankyloglossia, also known as a “tongue-tie”. Ankyloglossia refers to a condition where “an unusually short, thick, or tight band of tissue tethers the bottom of the tongue’s tip to the floor of the mouth, restricting its range of motion.”
After a non-invasive laser treatment to release the tongue tie, Mason’s struggles immediately disappeared or became much more manageable.
The dentist noted that signs of children suffering from a tongue-tie include issues while breastfeeding, being picky eaters, issues with speech, and unexplained cavities, sleep problems, and issues with facial structures such as really close baby teeth.
If your child is experiencing any of the above symptoms, we suggest you contact your dentist as soon as possible, who may be able to refer you to the proper specialist should ankyloglossia be the case.