Frequency of spread of a short frenum of the tongueand upper lip in preschool

The problems of a short frenulum of the tongue and upper lip in children is multidisciplinary, affecting pediatrics, pediatric dentistry and speech therapy. A short frenulum of the tongue can cause a child's chronic trauma to periodontal tissues, functional impairment, and difficulty in sucking, swallowing, incorrect pronunciation of sounds. A short frenulum of the upper lip leads to an increase in the gap between the front teeth, the formation of diastema. With the timely detection and treatment of a short frenum of the tongue and upper lip, deformations of the upper and lower frontal teeth, pronunciation of sounds, problems of breastfeeding, swallowing, as well as risk factors for periodontal diseases are prevented. The above listed functional impairment of childhood makes it necessary to carry out preventive work in preschool institutions. Often, orthodontists, speech therapists, and general practitioners are sent to surgery to lengthen the short frenum of the tongue and upper lip. When collecting the history there were close relatives with the same pathology. With the timely detection and treatment of a short frenum of the tongue and upper lip, deformations of the anterior and lower frontal teeth, pronunciation of sounds, problems of breastfeeding, swallowing, as well as risk factors for periodontal diseases are prevented. During the formation of a permanent bite, a shortened frenulum of the upper lip leads to the advancement of the front teeth, especially if there is not enough space in the dentition [4.7.9]. Subsequently, it is difficult, long and expensive to correct such malocclusion. A short frenum of the tongue is more common in boys with a significant restriction of the mobility of the tongue, leading to development of an open bite.