Do you have these little membranes inside your mouth? Let's talk about (Frenum/Frenulum)!

Have you ever looked in the mirror and noticed that little band of tissue where your lips meet your gums, or where your tongue meets the roof of your mouth? You might have noticed it when you brush your teeth. That's what we call the frenum or frenulum . This may seem like a new word to you, but it's a very important little part of your mouth. Let's talk about it in a little more detail today, like we're talking to a friend.

What are these frenums in the mouth?

Simply put, this `(Frenum)` or `(Frenulum)` is a thin, cord-like piece of tissue that connects two parts of our body together. Think of it like a thread that sews two pieces of cloth together. These are not only in our mouths, but also in several other places in our bodies. For example, we can see such frenums in the genital area, in the digestive system, and even in the area of ​​the brain. However, today we are mainly focusing on this small, but very important frenum inside our mouth.

We can identify two main types of frenulum in the mouth:

1. Lingual frenulum: This is the thin membrane that connects your tongue to the bottom of your mouth, the floor of your mouth. If you open your mouth and lift your tongue up, you can see it nicely. It's like a little bridge under your tongue.

2. Labial frenulum: This is the piece of tissue that connects your lips to your gums. You have several frenulums on your lips. But the one we see most often is the one on your upper lip, above your two front teeth, between them. You can see this when you smile or look in the mirror.

Sometimes, if this frenum is injured or irritated in some way, it can cause pain and swelling in that area. This is a normal thing that usually heals on its own , so there is nothing to worry about. However, some people are born with this frenum too thick or attached incorrectly. Imagine, if a frenum is pulled up or down too much and attached, it can interfere with everyday activities, such as chewing food, speaking clearly, and brushing your teeth.

What happens with a free name? What are the benefits for us?

Now you might be thinking, "What's this little piece of tissue going to do? Can it do anything big?" But the main function of these frenulums in our mouths is to provide stability and support to our lips and tongue . Imagine, if these frenulums weren't there, how difficult it would be to keep our lips and tongue in one place and in control when we eat or talk! They move here and there, don't they? So, even though these frenulums are small, they help us do our daily tasks properly. From chewing food to pronouncing words clearly, they have an impact.

How many frenums are there in the mouth?

We all usually have several free words in our mouths. Among them, the most important free words we see are:

• The ``Lingual frenulum'' under your tongue . This is the part we talked about earlier that connects your tongue to the floor of your mouth.
• The ``Labial frenulum`` is located above your two upper front teeth . It connects to the gum in the middle of the upper lip.
• The ``Labial frenulum`` is located below your two front teeth . This also connects to the gum in the middle of your lower lip.

In addition to these, there are other small frenums that go inward on either side of your cheeks. We call them ` (Buccal frenums)` . `(Buccal)` means ``related to the cheek''. These small frenums are what give support to your cheeks and lips and help them maintain their shape. Because these are a little inward, we don't see them as easily as the other frenums.

What does a freename look like? What is it made of?

A frenum in the mouth is a small, cord-like band of tissue that is usually the same color as your gums. They can vary in size. Some are very thin, while others are a bit thicker. They can also be short or long, depending on the person.

Although these freemiums are small, they are very strong and efficient because of what they contain:

• Fibrous connective tissues: These contain a high concentration of a special protein called collagen . This collagen provides the frenum with strength and support, much like the concrete pillars of a building.
• Elastic fibers: These are what give the frenum its resilience and stretchability. Like a rubber band, it can be stretched and then snapped back into place.
• Striated muscle fibers: These are the ones that help with fast, powerful movements. These muscle fibers are also activated when you move your tongue around and manipulate your lips.

See? It looks like a small piece, but how many complex things are inside it!

What are the common situations associated with freelancing?

Dentists often treat certain conditions related to these frenums. Let's take a look at what they are. You may have heard of these too:

• Frenum tear: Your frenum can tear if it gets hit or worn. For example, it can happen if you fall while playing, or if you get into a car accident. It can also happen when you eat something hard, kiss someone, or have braces on your teeth.
• Lip-tie: This happens when the labial frenulum on your lips becomes too short. This makes it difficult to move your lips properly. This can be a reason why babies, especially young babies, cannot lift their upper lip properly to suckle.
• Tongue-tie (Ankyloglossia): This is a common condition that many people are familiar with. This condition occurs when the frenulum on your tongue becomes too short, meaning that your tongue is stuck to the bottom of your mouth. This restricts the movement of your tongue. This is a major reason why it can be difficult for babies to breastfeed. It can also make it difficult to speak.
• Gaps between the teeth: If the labial frenulum on the upper lip becomes too large, it can push the two front teeth apart, creating a gap between the teeth (sometimes called a 'gap').
• Gum recession: If the frenum on your lip is too short, it can cause the gums to pull away from the teeth and down. This can even expose the roots of the teeth. This is not good for your teeth in the long run.

What are the symptoms of these freename problems?

The conditions we discussed above can cause a variety of symptoms. See if you or someone you know has any of these:

• Soreness or swelling in the area where the frenum is located.
• Difficulty swallowing food.
• Some difficulty speaking (for example, difficulty pronouncing certain letters, especially the letters that are pronounced with the tongue like 'त', 'द', 'न', 'ल', 'स', 'र').
• Snoring .
• Mouth breathing ( instead of breathing through the nose).
• Difficulty sticking out the tongue , or inability to roll the tongue over the roof of the mouth.
• Abnormalities in the development of the mouth (for example, malocclusion , changes in the shape of the teeth, malalignment of the jaw, etc.).

How do doctors treat frenum-related problems?

If a baby has difficulty breastfeeding due to tongue-tie (ankyloglossia), and no other adjustments (e.g., changing the breastfeeding position) or treatment have helped, a doctor may recommend a frenectomy . This involves cutting a small section of the frenum that is holding the tongue in place, either by cutting it off or by using a laser. This is a very minor and quick procedure.

But it is important to remember that this `(Frenectomy)` surgery is not usually performed for speech difficulties. Because there is still no clear evidence that this surgery is necessary or that it helps. In such cases, it is best to seek the advice of a `Speech Therapist`.

How do you keep the frenulum in your mouth healthy?

The best way to keep your frenulum healthy is to maintain good oral hygiene . This means brushing your teeth thoroughly every morning and night and using dental floss to remove food particles that get stuck between your teeth. Doing so will help reduce the number of harmful bacteria that can cause inflammation in tissues like your frenulum. So, keeping your mouth clean is the most important thing. It's also a good idea to have your mouth checked regularly by a dentist.

What is the difference between the words "frenum" and "frenulum"?

You've probably heard both of these words, and you might be wondering what the difference is. There's really no big difference. A frenum is a band of tissue that connects two parts of the body. A frenulum is also a small frenum . Simply put, a frenulum is like a 'small frenum.' Most of the time, doctors use both words interchangeably. So there's no need to worry about it.

Both of these words come from the Latin word 'frēnulum', which means something like 'little bridle' (a device used to control a horse, a small one like that).

Let us remember as a summary

Actually, we don't think much about this freemium in our daily lives, do we? Maybe if you haven't had any problems with these until now, you might not even be familiar with this word. That's normal.

But, these frenums are small but do a big job . They help babies suckle their mothers' milk. They help young children process words and learn to speak clearly. When you eat and talk, these frenums help you keep your lips and tongue in the right places, without any problems.

Remember the most important thing: If you notice that your baby is having difficulty breastfeeding (e.g., the nipple hurts when the baby sucks, the baby is gaining weight slowly, the baby does not seem to have enough milk even after finishing), be sure to tell a doctor about it. It may be due to a problem with this frenum, especially tongue tie (ankyloglossia). If so, a very simple and quick treatment can help. So, if you have any doubts about anything, do not hesitate to seek medical advice.

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