Tongue Tie and Orofacial Myofunctional Development
- Duration: 60 Mins
- Credits: 1 CERP, 1 L-CERP
- Learning Format: Live Webinar
- Handout: Yes
- Origin: GOLD Learning
Abstract:
Michelangelo at work - Tongue Tie and Orofacial Myofunctional Development
Our oral and facial muscles are the master sculptors of our jaws and face. Research and clinical findings show that changing resting oral posture and functional habits of our oral and facial muscles not only influence structure but also affect function. The important functions of the orofacial region include breathing, eating/drinking (including breastfeeding) and speaking.
Breastfeeding is the premier and pivotal determinant of orofacial myofunctional habits. Beyond the many risks of not breastfeeding, malocclusion (poorly positioned jaws and teeth) is a very significant risk.
As such it is important that all health practitioners working with neonates rally to educate, accompany and support breastfeeding dyads toward functional and breastfeeding for as long as possible.
The tongue’s ability to move (particularly to elevate) affects breastfeeding biomechanics. As such, a tethered tongue’s range of motion and span of influence is a deviation from the physiologic norm. Teaching a dyad to compensate or simply manage through sub-optimal breastfeeding and its resulting symptoms can have consequences in functional outcomes later in life. Compensations have consequences that emerge well beyond breastfeeding years.
Learning Objectives:
1. Explain the tongue and facial tissues as determinants of the development of jaws, tooth position and facial growth.
2. Beyond the well-known health implications of not breastfeeding, describe the risks of not breastfeeding on other facets of health including orofacial development and function.
3. Describe the orofacial implications of bottle-feeding and non-nutritive sucking on development of the dental arches and tooth placement.
4. List the links between infant compensatory behaviour as a result of tongue tie and potential soft tissue dysfunctions that can manifest across the life-span.
5. Recognize some basic parameters of jaw and dental appearance in patients under the age of 5 and utilise this toward feedback of methods in the assessment of the neonate.
