I have just heard of a pre-pubertal girl in my extended circle who now has a tongue brace for an overlarge and weak tongue that has pushed her teeth forward.  She does not have Down syndrome.  I have seen slides of protruding or ‘too-large’ tongues in babies, but somehow always assumed that the mouths eventually grew to accommodate the tongue.  

I assume that breastfeeding did not happen for this girl, otherwise her tongue might have become stronger?  I also wondered what the usual treatments might be, and whether it’s something we breastfeeding helpers have to look out for. I looked through Dr Palmer’s and Dr Kotlow’s sites, but can’t see named information on what is done for large/weak tongues, unless this is the issue referred to in passing as a use for laser surgery, “Removal of hypertrophic tissue in orthodontic patients.”  I have a vague feeling of seeing pictures of tongue-reduction surgery somewhere, but where?  Last resort, one hopes.   I can’t picture how a brace would strengthen a tongue (merely keep it away from the teeth), but I haven’t seen the contraption.

Would be interested to hear if anyone on Lactnet knows more about this issue.

Best wishes
Jacquie Nutt IBCLC

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