Short frenulum of the tongue - parents encounter this problem around the time their baby turns 3-4 years old. He has been trying to speak for a long time, knows a lot of words, knows how to construct complex phrases, but does not pronounce some words accurately.
Grandmothers assure that in another year the child will “speak out”; mothers work with their children using special methods for early development, but the problem is not solved. If your child is still babbling at 4 years old, it is time to visit the pediatric dentist.
The frenulum of the tongue externally resembles a thin membrane, consisting mainly of connective tissue, the function of which is to attach the tongue to the bottom of the oral cavity.
In other words, a short frenulum of the tongue in a child is some kind of defect in the oral cavity that interferes with the joint movement of the tongue.
In some cases, the frenulum does not look thin at all, which significantly aggravates the situation. Almost half of all parents face this problem. And although a short frenulum can be noticed by a specialist even in newborns, parents learn about it when the baby begins to talk.
Pathology of the frenulum of the tongue can be congenital and hereditary. It should be understood that these concepts are completely different. If a congenital pathology is already present at birth, then a hereditary pathology is most often already present in one of the family members.
The concepts of complete and partial short frenulum of the tongue in a child are also distinguished. The level of discomfort of the child and the type of treatment chosen (surgical intervention or corrective exercises) depend on the type of pathology.
With a full frenulum, the child's tongue is practically immobilized, which makes it much more difficult to pronounce most speech sounds. With this type of pathology, muscle cords form. In the case of partial pathology of the frenulum of the tongue, the role of muscle cords is performed by connective tissue.
Tongue frenulum
It is located on its lower surface. When the tongue is raised upward, the frenulum seems to hold it. It is located in the middle of the organ and connects the mucous membrane to the floor of the oral cavity. The length of the frenulum in an adult, as a rule, does not exceed three cm. Its parameters and location do not interfere with the movement of the organ in most people.
There are cases when the upper part of the frenulum is located almost at the very tip of the tongue. If you try to lift it, it takes the form of a groove, and the fold of skin becomes tense and causes discomfort. In addition, if you stick out your tongue, it will hardly even half cover your lower lip, and its tip will point down. Although the length of the frenulum may be within normal limits, from a medical point of view it is considered short.
For some people it really is this way - no more than 1.7 cm. If it is located correctly, then this length does not affect the functioning of the tongue in any way. Below in the photo is a frenulum of the tongue of an infant, which is considered short by medical standards. In this case, surgical cutting is indicated.
Restrictions (5 contraindications)
Frenuloplasty surgery in men is routine and rarely associated with complications. However, no surgical procedure should be underestimated in terms of risks and contraindications.
CONTRAINDICATIONS
- infectious sexual pathologies;
- exacerbation of chronic diseases of the genitourinary system, active inflammatory processes, respiratory diseases;
- autoimmune pathologies;
- tumors, oncological process;
- organ failure.
Contraindications are relative. Plastic surgery of the frenulum of the foreskin can be performed at the discretion of the surgeon.
In case of fever, infection, or inflammation, the underlying diseases are first treated.
Frenum of the upper and lower lips
In the human oral cavity there are 2 more folds of skin. They serve as an additional attachment of the lips to the jaws.
The frenulum of the upper lip is a fold located vertically. According to its structure, it is of the following types:
- Mucous. Outwardly, it resembles a thin film that stretches very well.
- Fibrous. The fold is very tight and practically does not stretch.
- Muco-fibrous. In this case, they speak of an average degree of density and extensibility of the upper frenulum.
In addition, it is classified by attachment height:
- Low. The fold passes directly into the gingival papilla.
- Average. Located in the middle of the gum.
- High. It is located in the transitional fold of the upper lip.
It is considered normal if the lower connection of the lip frenulum is located at a distance of approximately 5 mm from the neck of the anterior incisors. If it is located lower or even goes behind the teeth, then the fold is considered shortened.
The lower frenulum is located deep in the area between the gum and the inside of the lip. Normally, it is a thin, barely noticeable film. Its difference from the frenulum of the upper lip is also that it should not be attached to the gingival papilla. Otherwise, correction of the fold is indicated to avoid the appearance of speech defects. As a rule, its abnormal location is detected soon after birth. The correction is carried out surgically, after which the film does not affect the development of the child’s speech in any way.
About recovery
The postoperative period after plastic surgery of the foreskin frenulum in men depends on the scope of the intervention and the severity of the clinical situation.
The rehabilitation period varies, but rarely exceeds 45-60 days. During recovery, men must follow all medical recommendations:
- avoid open bodies of water and public swimming pools;
- do not visit baths, saunas, solariums;
- exclude sexual intercourse and masturbation for 3-4 weeks;
- ensure adequate toileting of the genitals;
- monitor the regularity and pattern of urination.
Foreskin
The frenulum of the foreskin is the most important element of the male penis. It ensures the normal functioning of the reproductive system, protecting the reproductive organ from pathogenic microorganisms and external influences. It has a high degree of elasticity, due to which during an erection the head of the penis is exposed, and when its blood supply decreases, it is covered by the foreskin.
Every man should know that the frenulum is a formation of skin, the developmental anomalies of which negatively affect both sexual life and health:
- every sexual intercourse becomes painful;
- ejaculation occurs prematurely;
- the penis gradually becomes curved.
Against the background of these disorders, almost every man develops psycho-emotional disorders.
From an anatomical point of view, the frenulum on the head of the penis is a fold that forms a kind of membrane that connects the lower part of the penis and the foreskin. It performs not only a protective function. The frenulum is also a powerful erogenous zone, which directly affects the duration of sexual intercourse and the sensations during ejaculation.
Inside the fold there is a huge number of vessels and nerve endings, due to which any injury or disease in this area is accompanied by pain and other unpleasant symptoms, as well as psychological discomfort. Ignoring warning signs can lead to serious consequences, and therefore you should consult a doctor the first time they appear.
ethnoscience
As for the use of traditional medicine for frenulum tears, bactericidal and antiseptic baths are recommended, which are prepared based on decoctions of medicinal herbs. However, their main purpose is to prevent damage to the male genitourinary system by various pathogenic microorganisms.
It is best to use baths made from an infusion of chamomile or based on a decoction of calendula for this purpose. It is recommended to soak the penis in medicinal infusions several times a day. The course of treatment may take up to a month.
It is important to understand that alternative treatment is not a guarantee that re-tearing of the frenulum will not occur, so you should not dwell on them for a long time, it is better to contact a urologist as soon as possible.
Correction of the frenulum related to the tongue
As a rule, a shortened fold of skin is detected in newborn children already in the maternity hospital or during the first examination by a pediatrician. In the first months of life, a child’s frenulum is a thin film-like frenulum that does not have blood vessels. In this regard, it is cut by the dentist with scissors or a scalpel. During this manipulation, the newborn does not feel pain, and after cutting it is immediately applied to the mother’s breast.
Ignoring the presence of a short frenulum in a child leads to various disorders:
- improper and poor quality milk sucking;
- slight weight gain (below normal);
- early refusal of the mother's breast;
- retardation in physical and psychological development.
In older children and adults, the frenulum is a dense area with a large number of vessels, and therefore its plastic surgery is indicated. As a rule, pathology is detected when visiting a dentist or speech therapist.
Signs of a short frenulum are:
- low degree of tongue mobility;
- difficulty pronouncing whistling, hissing and palatal sounds;
- inability to reach the upper incisors with the tip of the organ;
- The tongue cannot be stuck out completely.
From a medical point of view, indications for frenulum correction are:
- speech disorders;
- impaired growth of the lower jaw;
- the need to use orthodontic structures.
Like any other surgical treatment, cutting the frenulum has a number of contraindications. It is not performed if the patient has:
- Oncological diseases.
- Blood pathologies.
- Inflammatory processes in the oral cavity.
- Infectious diseases in the acute stage.
The operation is performed using a scalpel or surgical laser under local anesthesia. In the first case, after completion of the plastic surgery, self-absorbing sutures are applied, in the second, there is no need to use them. After the operation, the patient must treat the oral cavity with an antiseptic solution after each meal for a week.
Treatment methods
Problems associated with a short frenulum of the tongue can be solved with medicinal and non-medicinal methods.
Medicinal methods involve surgical intervention of varying degrees.
If the sublingual membrane requires dissection, but it is quite thin and elastic, then the doctor dissects it right at the appointment. In this case, anesthesia is not provided, since the procedure is classified as mild.
More complex types of dissection of the frenulum of the tongue include frenulotomy, which is indicated for children with thicker frenulums. Frenulotomy is performed under local anesthesia with tissue dissection and subsequent suturing.
Complications of this operation may include stomatitis, prolonged bleeding from the wound, infection in the wound, etc. After frenulotomy, the child should receive pureed food for some time, as chewing may be painful.
Non-drug treatment methods include special types of massage, exercises to correct the frenulum of the tongue, and individual sessions with a speech therapist.
Non-drug methods are recommended when the condition of the child’s tongue frenulum is not critical and allows refusal of surgery. The decision on this is made by a speech therapist, pediatrician and dentist. Classes with a speech therapist include various exercises, articulation gymnastics, tongue twisters and poems.
Since a short frenulum of the tongue causes some speech defects, classes with a speech therapist are necessary both in the postoperative period and as a correction.
A massage aimed at stretching the frenulum of the tongue includes a list of special exercises. It is important that the classes are systematic so that they give a positive result.
Massage instead of cutting the frenulum is recommended for children in two cases: if the condition of the frenulum is not so critical and the problem can be solved with non-drug treatment methods; if the frenulum is cut when the child is older (over 5 years old) and the surgery will not solve problems with speech impediment.
Penile frenulum correction
Abnormal fold length can be either congenital or acquired as a result of various injuries.
If a short frenulum is detected in childhood, the doctor recommends trimming it to avoid possible problems in the future. In adult men, the pathology leads to various disturbances in sexual life, and therefore you should consult a doctor if pain and discomfort occurs during sexual intercourse. It is important to understand that the frenulum of the penis is such an important element, developmental anomalies of which can even lead to erectile dysfunction.
Correction is carried out surgically. Its duration, as a rule, does not exceed 20 minutes, and the patient is not required to follow any preparation rules.
Before the intervention begins, doctors carefully clean the man’s/boy’s genitals and administer anesthesia. Intravenous injection is indicated for children under 12 years of age. For adults, the drug is injected into the skin of the penis.
The operation is performed using a scalpel. Upon completion, a gauze pad is applied to the penis, the patient receives instructions regarding subsequent wound care, after which he can immediately begin his daily activities.
Circumcision
This is a simple operation that can be of several types:
- Partial. The foreskin is preserved; the doctor removes only the damaged area, allowing the head to fully open.
- Average. A significant part of the tissue is excised, the remaining part forms a small fold, while the head opens completely.
- Tight. This is the most aesthetic option, in which a significant area of the skin is removed.
The surgical intervention can be carried out using radio waves, a disposable plastic ring, a laser, and a seamless operation is also practiced - a polymer absorbable film is used. After circumcision, it is necessary to moisturize the skin fold with special products and wash the penis with antiseptic solutions several times a day. This is necessary so that a rough scar does not form.
What to do if the frenulum ruptures?
Mostly, the folds located in the oral cavity and on the male penis are susceptible to injury. If there is a rupture of the frenulum under the tongue or the upper/lower lip, the wound must be treated with hydrogen peroxide. You should see a doctor as soon as possible, especially if the injury occurred in a child.
The greatest danger is rupture of the folds on the penis. It can happen for various reasons, but, as a rule, it happens during sexual intercourse.
Rupture is always accompanied by severe bleeding and severe pain. The procedure for dealing with an injury is as follows:
- The frenulum should be pressed tightly against the head for about 10 minutes. During this time, you cannot remove your fingers from the penis. There is no need to squeeze the organ too much; this can lead to poor circulation in the head.
- After the specified time, carefully remove your fingers. If the bleeding has stopped, you need to treat the wound with any antiseptic and apply a bandage. It should only cover the affected area, but in no case should it squeeze the penis.
At the first opportunity, you need to see a doctor and get plastic surgery. Not everyone understands that the frenulum is an area that, after the first injury, is highly likely to rupture again.
results
The main goal of tongue frenuloplasty is to prevent tongue dysfunction that occurs subsequently. If you do not trim the folds of mucous membrane, then in the future the child may have difficulties with eating, diction and lip movements.
Don't be afraid of surgery. This is a simple procedure that takes a few minutes, and the cutting of the short frenulum itself takes place in a few seconds. Since the mucous membrane in children is still too thin, the child does not feel pain. Minor bleeding goes away quickly and does not pose any danger.
The help of a qualified dentist is an absolute guarantee of high-quality results and the absence of complications.
Which doctor should I contact?
If you are concerned about the location of the folds in your mouth, you should make an appointment with your dentist or surgeon. In most cases, they can trim the bridle the same day.
If the fold is torn or there are abnormalities in its development on the penis, you should contact a urologist.
Postoperative period
The mucous membrane in the mouth is restored quickly. But cutting the frenulum can cause complications:
- Formation of a hard scar at the site where the incision was made.
- The development of the inflammatory process due to infection.
- Temperature increase. It appears as a sign of the development of an infectious process or a peculiar reaction to an operation.
The baby may react to complications with constant anxiety and refusal to eat. Children three years old and older can tell themselves what worries them. If you experience any discomfort, you should consult a doctor; only a specialist will correctly assess the baby’s condition and prescribe the best treatment.
To avoid complications, you need to keep your mouth clean. Five-year-old children already brush their teeth and can rinse their mouths with water. For several days after the defect is removed, you should not chew solid food or talk much.
You should ask your doctor exactly how long the restrictions should be observed. After a follow-up examination, the attending doctor will recommend special exercises to develop the elasticity of the frenulum.
