Tongue test: what it is, what it is for and how it is done

The tongue test is a mandatory exam that serves to diagnose and indicate early treatment of problems with the tongue brake in newborns, which can harm breastfeeding or compromise the act of swallowing, chewing and speaking, which is the case of ankyloglossia. , also known as tongue-tie.

The tongue test is carried out in the first days of the baby’s life, usually while still in the maternity ward. This test is simple and does not cause pain, because the speech therapist only lifts the baby’s tongue to analyze the tongue frenulum, which can also be called the tongue frenulum.

What is it for

The tongue test is performed on newborns to detect changes in the tongue brake, such as tongue tie, scientifically called ankyloglossia. This change is very common and occurs when the membrane that holds the tongue in the lower part of the mouth is too short, making tongue movements difficult.

In addition, the tongue test is carried out to assess the thickness and how the tongue frenulum is attached, in addition to analyzing how the baby moves the tongue and whether it has difficulties sucking breast milk. See how to know if your baby has a tongue tie.

Therefore, it is important that the tongue test is carried out as early as possible, preferably in the first months of the baby’s life, as this way it is possible to identify changes in the tongue brake as soon as possible to avoid consequences such as difficulties in breastfeeding or eating. solid foods, changes in the structure of teeth and speech.

How is done

The tongue test is carried out by the speech therapist by observing the movement of the tongue and the way in which the frenulum is fixed. This observation is often carried out when the baby is crying or during breastfeeding, as some changes in the tongue can make it difficult for the baby to latch onto the mother’s breast.

Thus, when checking the movements of the tongue and the shape of the frenulum, the speech therapist fills out a protocol that contains some characteristics that must be scored during the exam and, in the end, identifies whether or not there are changes.

If the tongue test confirms that there are changes, the speech therapist and pediatrician can indicate the beginning of appropriate treatment, and, depending on the change identified, it may be recommended to carry out a small procedure to release the membrane trapped under the tongue. .

Importance of treatment

Tongue-tie limits tongue movements during sucking and swallowing, which can lead to early weaning. When introducing solid baby food, babies with tongue ties may have difficulty swallowing and may even suffer from choking.

Thus, early identification and treatment can reduce the negative consequences on the oral development of children aged zero to two years who were born with a very short tongue frenulum. When corrected in time, treatment can prevent disorders at different stages of children’s oral development.