Tongue-ties are little-understood birth defects that affect millions of people in the United States and around the world. A tongue-tie might cause a baby or child to experience difficulty nursing, speaking, or eating. Abnormal dental and facial development, neck pain, shoulder pain and headaches can also result if tongue ties are not addressed. The tiny string under the tongue is frequently misunderstood and misdiagnosed, perhaps because doctors and dentists are not usually taught to diagnose or treat it. This book reveals the long history of human experience with tongue ties. It covers the assessment techniques and treatment options available for tethered oral tissues in the 21st century, using a multi-disciplinary team approach. Patients' accounts of challenges and victories are woven into several of the chapters. The benefits of releasing restricted tongues can truly be life-changing for families. When diagnosed and treated appropriately by a knowledgeable team, tethered oral tissues can be released with minimal discomfort, risk, and expense, improving quality of life for millions of people who suffer needlessly.
Having examined and treated newborns to adults with oral restrictions since the early 1980s, I have never seen such a complete and thorough study of the subject. Dr. Baxter has covered it all! His own personal experience was a great motivator to make this book a must-read for parents, physicians, dentists, lactation consultants, and therapists of all kinds.
Greg Notestine, DDS, AAACD
Founding Member and Past Director, International Affiliation of Tongue-Tie Professionals (IATP)
There can be no greater feeling than to see that I have been able to stimulate individuals like Dr. Baxter to add to the body of knowledge needed to educate the healthcare community as well as parents on the need to have tethered oral tissues evaluated for the many potential problems related to the tongue, which is not just a muscle, but a part of our body that can affect many of the body’s systems, infant growth and development, speech and much more. Congratulations on writing this excellent book.
Larry Kotlow, DDS
Pioneer and World-Renowned Expert on Tethered Oral Tissues
Tongue-Tied is a revolutionary resource for parents, patients, and professionals alike. Such a detailed, comprehensive, and research-based resource has not existed until now! As a speech-language pathologist and certified orofacial myologist, this will be on the top shelf of my library and will be a resource I recommend to my colleagues, patients, and students. Thank you for filling this gap!
Autumn R. Henning, MS, CCC-SLP, COM
Founder, TOTS Training
How refreshing to have a resource for parents and professionals based on clinical expertise and current research! Tongue-Tied is a straight-forward, no-nonsense approach to the influence of tethered oral tissues on both speech and feeding development.
Melanie Potock, MA, CCC-SLP
Author of Adventures in Veggieland and co-author of Raising a Healthy Happy Eater
As a surgical specialist and clinical researcher in the area of tethered oral tissues for close to 20 years, I have been waiting for a comprehensive text of this subject. Tongue-Tied is both a welcome addition and long overdue. It should serve as a concise guide for professionals as well as families seeking further knowledge on this topic. Thank you, Dr. Baxter, for moving our specialty forward!
Scott A. Siegel, MD, DDS, FACS, FICS, FAAP, DABLS
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon and Pioneer of Laser Lip- and Tongue-Tie Surgery
Dr. Baxter and his co-authors have done a remarkable job of tying together all of the current information on tethered oral tissues and their health impact in one place. This publication is the missing link and will help all of us who are involved in comprehensive patient care from newborns through underdiagnosed adults. Great job, Dr. Baxter and team!
Martin A. Kaplan DMD, DABLS
Pediatric Dentist and Director of Laser Dental Surgery for the American Board of Laser Surgery
