Assessing the frenulum
The tongue may be anchored anteriorly toward the tip posteriorly at the base or both.
Infants with an anterior lingual ankyloglossia have been detected while crying with
s wide-open mouth. The tongue may appear flat and often heart-shaped and the tip
Square or notched on protrusion. The tip of the tongue dose not extend past or only
slightly be yond the alveolar ridge. With a posteriorly tight frenulum, the tongue may
Appear typically shaped but normal lateral mobility or the ability to life well from the floor
of the mouth. A high, narrow or bubble palate may indicate a potential frenulum variation.
during fetal development as the three plates of the hard palate merge, the normal palate.
Restriction of tongue movement produces an atypical palate shape. Another clue during oral
assessment of the infant is nursing blister. Found on either the upper or lower lip, blisters
can develop due to compensational pressure used to hold the breast in the mouth.