Tongue-Tie

What is a Tongue-Tie?

While you may have heard of the term tongue-tie it is more than a metaphor for stumbling over your words. It is an actual restriction of the tongue that can impact overall health.

We all have a piece of tissue under our tongue called a frenum. For some people this tissues is tighter than it should be causing restriction of the tongue also known as a tongue-tie.

Why Does it Matter?

When the tongue is restricted it rests lower in the mouth which can lead to problems such as:

  • Mouth breathing

  • Under developed jaws

  • Crowded or crooked teeth

  • Airway issues

  • Speech difficulties

  • TMJ pain

  • Clenching & grinding

  • Oral health issues

  • Headaches

  • Neck, shoulder, back muscle pain

  • Problems with breastfeeding

Treatment:

There are different classifications of tongue-ties and treatment depends on how restricted the tongue is. Myofunctional therapy will be needed for all levels of tongue-tie and surgical release will be necessary for most people to achieve optimal results.


With a surgical release, also known as a frenectomy, it is important to start myofunctional therapy before the procedure is preformed so the muscles of the tongue can be prepared. Once the release is done stretches and more exercises will be needed to strengthen the tongue and gain mobility.