San Francisco and Marin CA
Usually, when we discuss tongue ties, we’re talking about newborns. A tongue-tie is often identified and diagnosed after babies have a hard time latching onto a bottle or breast. Babies and toddlers who have undiagnosed or untreated tongue ties turn into adults with tongue ties that can cause a variety of oral health and functional issues. If you’ve experienced speech difficulties, jaw pain or trouble swallowing, then today’s blog post by our San Francisco dentist is for you.
What is a tongue tie?
A tongue tie, also called ankyloglossia, occurs when the lingual frenulum — the small band of tissue that connects the tongue to the floor of the mouth — is too short, thick or tight. This restriction limits tongue movement, potentially leading to multiple oral complications.
What are symptoms of tongue tie in adults?
A tongue tie can cause a variety of symptoms that can impact your daily life, including:
- Speech difficulties — A tongue tie makes it difficult for someone to pronounce certain sounds, especially those that require the tongue to lift or move freely, like “L,” “R,” “T,” “D,” or “S.”
- Oral hygiene complications — Limited tongue mobility can make it difficult to remove cavity-causing food debris from the mouth. This increases a person’s risk of developing cavities and gum disease.
- Jaw and facial pain — Restricted tongue movement causes the jaw muscles to overcompensat This can lead to tension, soreness or temporomandibular joint (TMJ) issues.
- Difficulty swallowing – If you have trouble eating certain foods or you feel like food is getting stuck as it digests, you may have a tongue tie.
- Snoring or sleep apnea – Restricted tongue movement can contribute to airway obstruction during sleep.
How is a tongue-tie diagnosed?
Our Marin dentist can quickly and easily diagnose a tongue tie at a regular dental visit.
How are tongue ties treated?
Treatment options for a tongue tie may include:
- Frenectomy — This is a simple, minimally invasive procedure that uses a laser or scape to release the tongue tie.
- Myofunctional therapy – This is physical therapy for the mouth and includes exercises to improve the tongue’s mobility and strengthen oral muscles.
- Speech therapy – If speech has been affected, therapy can help retrain tongue movements for clearer articulation.
Tongue-tie release in the Bay Area
If you think a tongue tie could be behind your oral and speech issues, call Glen Park Dental at (415) 799-3900, or reach out to us online to schedule an appointment today.
