Am I Too Old to have my Tongue-Tie Treated?

San Francisco and Marin CA

Tongue-tie is usually discovered in infants and usually because trouble breastfeeding is one of the primary symptoms of a tongue-tie. A tongue-tie occurs when the small piece of tissue — the lingual frenulum — that connects your tongue to the floor of your mouth is too short or too tight. This leads to restricted movement of the tongue and difficulties with speech, eating and oral hygiene later in life. Tongue ties are present at birth; they don’t develop with age. However, a baby whose tongue-tie wasn’t released turns into an adult with a tongue-tie, and sometimes those patients wonder if they’re too old for tongue-tie treatment. Our family dentist in San Francisco who specializes in tongue-tie releases is focusing on that in today’s blog.

How can I tell if I have a tongue-tie?

Tongue-ties in adults can lead to various symptoms including:

• Mouth breathing
• Speech impairments
• Snoring
• Sleep apnea
• Elongated facial appearance
• Open bite (only the back teeth touch when the mouth is closed)
• Jaw pain or temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ or TMD)
• Bruxism (clenching or grinding the teeth at night)
• Tight or painful muscles in the neck or shoulders
• Teeth clenching and/or grinding while sleeping
• Difficulty eating or swallowing

Why should I treat my tongue-tie?

There are several benefits to treating a tongue-tie at any age. Let’s take a look at a few:

1. Improved speech and communication

Adults with tongue-ties often have speech difficulties such as lisping and trouble pronouncing certain sounds or words. Addressing tongue-tie can enhance clarity of speech, boosting confidence in both your personal and professional lives.

2. Better diet and digestion

Restricted tongue movement caused by tethered oral tissue can make chewing and swallowing difficult, leading to digestive issues and discomfort after eating. Treatment can alleviate these problems, making eating a more enjoyable experience.

3. Improved oral hygiene

Proper tongue mobility is a must for maintaining good oral hygiene. The tongue, when it isn’t restricted, helps remove food particles and bacteria from the teeth and gums. Treating tongue-tie can reduce the risk of dental problems such as cavities and gum disease.

4. Alleviation of sleep apnea snoring

Persistent snoring is the most common sign of obstructive sleep apnea, a dangerous breathing disorder that is characterized by repeated pauses in breathing during sleep. Sleep apnea happens when the muscles in the throat relax, causing a partial or complete blockage of the airway. The sound of snoring is the soft tissue of the throat vibrating as air struggles to move through the airway. A tongue-tie can contribute to sleep apnea and its associated snoring. Treatment may help improve airflow, leading to better sleep quality and overall health.

How are tongue ties treated?

1. Frenectomy

Tongue ties can be treated by a simple and painless laser treatment known as a frenectomy. At Glen Park Dental, we use a specialized device known as the LightScalpel CO2 laser, which takes oral surgery to a whole new level. Using a concentrated beam of light, the laser vaporizes tissue as it seals blood vessels, resulting in less bleeding and a quicker recovery for patients. This method of releasing a tongue-tie is safe for patients of all ages, and there is little to no risk of postoperative infection.

2. Myofunctional therapy

Following a frenectomy, our Marin family dentist may suggest myofunctional therapy since many adults with tongue-ties have likely developed bad oral health habits as a result of their tongue having a limited range of motion for so many years. Myofunctional therapy trains the oral muscles, and specifically the tongue, how to move and rest properly. The therapy helps correct any learned negative oral behaviors as a result of living with years of a tongue tie.

Adult tongue-tie release in the Bay Area

It’s never too late to address a tongue-tie. Treatment at our Glen Park Dental office can significantly improve your quality of life, from speech and eating to oral hygiene and sleep. Don’t let age hold you back from achieving optimal oral health and a better quality of life. If you think or know that you have a tongue-tie, give our office a call at (415) 799-3900 or reach out to us online today.