Tongue tie, also known as ankyloglossia, is more than just a minor anatomical variation. It’s a condition that can have widespread effects on breathing, feeding, sleep, speech, oral development, and overall quality of life — from infancy through adulthood. At Myofunctional Spot, we are experts in identifying and treating the functional impact of oral restrictions using an integrative, evidence-based approach combining myofunctional therapy with collaborative care.

A tongue tie occurs when the strip of connective tissue (lingual frenulum) that anchors the tongue to the floor of the mouth is short, tight, or thickened, restricting the tongue’s natural range of motion. This restriction — whether lingual, labial, or buccal — can affect the mobility of the tongue, lips, or cheeks, interfering with foundational functions like:

• Nasal breathing
   
• Swallowing
   
• Chewing and feeding
   
• Speech articulation
   
• Sleep and airway stability
   
• Jaw and facial development
   

An oral restriction is not always visible or obvious — and not all frenulums are functionally restrictive. A comprehensive functional assessment by a licensed speech-language pathologist with advanced training in orofacial myofunctional therapy is critical to determine whether a release and/or therapy is warranted.

Tongue tie is a congenital condition, meaning it is present at birth and develops during fetal formation when the tongue fails to separate fully from the floor of the mouth. The exact cause remains unknown, though genetic factors are suspected, and tongue tie often runs in families.

• Studies estimate that 4–11% of newborns have a tongue tie.
   
• Many cases go undiagnosed until feeding, airway, speech, or orthodontic concerns arise.
   
• Severity can range from mild restriction to complete immobility.
   

In babies, tongue tie often presents as difficulty with breastfeeding or bottle feeding, including:

• Poor latch
   
• Clicking or leaking milk during feeds
   
• Inadequate weight gain
   
• Gagging, choking, or reflux
   
• Excessive gassiness or colic
   
• Maternal nipple pain or damage
   

Untreated tongue tie in infants can also disrupt orofacial development, leading to long-term issues with speech, feeding, airway health, and craniofacial growth.

[👉 Learn more about tongue tie in babies here.]

As a child grows, tongue tie can contribute to:

• Speech delays or articulation issues
   
• Mouth breathing and snoring
   
• Dental crowding and malocclusion
   
• Orthodontic relapse after braces
   
• Persistent oral habits (e.g., thumb sucking, open mouth posture)
   
• Difficulty eating or swallowing certain textures

• Picky Eating or Feeding Aversions
  
• Tongue thrust or improper swallowing patterns
   
• Interrupted sleep or daytime fatigue
   

Critically, untreated restrictions during growth years may impact airway and jaw development, increasing the risk of sleep-disordered breathing and other health issues.

Adults often experience symptoms for years without knowing the root cause is a tongue tie. The body adapts through compensatory patterns that may seem normal but ultimately create dysfunction.

Common adult complaints linked to tongue tie include:

• Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)
   
• Teeth grinding (bruxism)
   
• TMJ pain or jaw tightness
   
• Difficulty swallowing pills or dry foods
   
• Neck tension, poor posture, or upper back pain
   
• Migraines and chronic headaches
   
• Speech difficulties or fatigue when speaking
   
• Poor sleep quality or mouth breathing at night
   

Adults often discover their own restriction only after their child is diagnosed, recognizing the familial patterns and symptoms.

A posterior tongue tie is a more hidden form of restriction, located deeper beneath the mucosa of the tongue. It often goes undiagnosed, even by well-meaning medical professionals unfamiliar with functional assessments. 

Unlike an obvious “anterior” tie where the tip of the tongue is visibly tethered, a posterior tie:

• Does not always present visually
   
• May be misdiagnosed or dismissed
   
• Often causes significant functional limitations
   
• Is frequently responsible for incomplete frenectomy outcomes
   

All anterior ties include a posterior component, and if the entire band of abnormal collagen is not released, the restriction persists. Incomplete releases are common and often lead to continued symptoms despite surgery. This is why expert assessment and pre & post-release therapy are so essential.

• Difficulty latching or feeding in infants
   
• Speech delays or articulation problems
   
• Mouth breathing or snoring
   
• Difficulty swallowing or chewing
   
• Bruxism (teeth grinding)
   
• Head and neck tension
   
• Postural issues or chronic tightness
   
• TMJ dysfunction
   
• Poor oral hygiene due to restricted tongue mobility
   
• Sleep-disordered breathing or obstructive sleep apnea

• MORE - SELF SCREENING HERE
   

The treatment of tongue tie is not one-size-fits-all and depends on the individual’s age, symptoms, and goals. A frenectomy or frenuloplasty may be recommended when restriction is confirmed. These procedures can be performed with laser or surgical instruments and are often quick and minimally invasive.

However, surgery alone is not enough.

Before and after any tongue tie release procedure, myofunctional therapy is essential to:

• Prepare the oral tissues for surgical release
   
• Increase tongue strength, coordination, and range of motion
   
• Eliminate harmful compensatory patterns
   
• Support optimal healing and prevent reattachment
   
• Restore proper tongue rest posture and nasal breathing
   
• Reinforce correct swallowing and speaking mechanics
   
• Guide long-term functional success
   

Without therapy, patients are at risk for incomplete healing, scar tissue formation, or return of dysfunction — even after an anatomically “successful” procedure.

Tongue tie is a functional issue, not just an anatomical one. Releasing tissue doesn’t guarantee restored function — that comes from retraining the system.

At Myofunctional Spot, we specialize in evaluating and treating tongue tie across the lifespan — from infants to adults. We collaborate closely with your release provider (dentist, ENT, or surgeon) to develop a personalized therapy plan that addresses your specific needs before and after release.

Our approach is evidence-based, interdisciplinary, and led by licensed, highly trained specialists in speech-language pathology and orofacial myofunctional therapy.

We are here to guide you — or your child — through each stage of care: from assessment to therapy to long-term follow-up. Tongue tie release is an investment in lifelong function, and it deserves expert, compassionate care.

If you suspect you or your child may have a tongue tie, or if you’ve already had a release but are still experiencing symptoms, we encourage you to schedule a comprehensive functional assessment with our team.

📞 Call: 954-261-9864

📧 Email: info@myofunctionalspot.com

🌐 Visit: www.myofunctionalspot.com

Are you concerned that you may have an unidentified oral restriction? Please contact me for more information