5 Signs You Need a Tongue Tie Release as An Adult
Imagine constantly feeling like your tongue is working against you, whether you’re tripping over words, struggling to swallow, or waking up exhausted despite a full night’s sleep. You’ve adapted and gotten used to your circumstances, but what if you didn’t have to? Many adults don’t realize that a restricted tongue can cause a multitude of issues, including poor sleep, clenching, grinding, snoring, sleep apnea, chronic pain and dental problems. If you’ve been searching for answers to these frustrating symptoms, a tongue tie release could be the missing piece of the puzzle.
While often diagnosed in infants, many adults live with an undiagnosed tongue tie that impacts their daily lives. If you’ve been struggling with symptoms that don’t seem to have a clear cause, we’re here to help you find lasting relief. We take a whole-body approach to oral health, using a state of the art gentle and advanced laser technology for precise, comfortable tongue tie releases. Let’s take a look at how tongue ties impact adults and the top five signs you may need a tongue tie release to start feeling like you can eat, speak, and sleep more comfortably.
Understanding Tongue Ties in Adults
While the percentage of individuals with tongue ties can vary based on diagnostic criteria, studies show that about 4-10% of the general population are born with an anterior tongue tie, with as many as 32.5% of infants having posterior tongue-ties. A tongue tie, or mid-tongue restriction, occurs when the tissue under the tongue that connects it to the floor of the mouth is too short, tight, or thick to allow for proper tongue movement. In other words, your tongue lacks the mobility it needs to function effectively. This can limit your ability to eat, speak, and even breathe correctly, affecting your quality of life.
It is difficult to assess a tongue tie from home because it requires a comprehensive assessment of the tongue’s mobility in all directions and goes beyond just the visible length of the tight band of tissue under the tongue. A full assessment also considers potential compensatory movements in the jaw, neck, and shoulders that might mask a tongue tie. But does every tongue tie need to be surgically released to improve mobility? Fortunately, the answer is no. Depending on the severity of your tongue tie, you may only need myofunctional therapy and bodywork such as chiropractic and craniosacral therapy to help loosen the tissue and increase your range of motion. However, in some higher-grade cases, a tongue tie release may be recommended to gain the extra mobility needed for your tongue to function at its full potential.
If you need a tongue tie release, an airway-focused dentist should include an interdisciplinary team of medical providers as part of your treatment to ensure the best possible success in your tongue tie release. These providers may consist of myofunctional therapists, physical therapists, craniosacral therapists, chiropractors, and other professionals who can help you gain the necessary mobility to enjoy your life without the frustrations you once suffered.
Uncovering the 5 Signs You May Need a Tongue Tie Release as an Adult
A tongue tie release procedure involves a gentle Co2 laser to release the short or tight tissue holding your tongue back from being able to move freely. While most tongue ties are caught during infancy, there are still a number of adults navigating life with this obstruction. Here are some signs to look out for that could indicate you need a tongue tie release:
1. Difficulty Breathing
Tongue mobility is an essential part of effective nasal breathing. A tongue tie prevents you from resting your tongue on the roof of your mouth day and night, leading to mouth breathing, poor sleep, and an increased risk of sleep apnea.
2. Speech Impairments
Speaking requires your tongue to move freely to form proper sounds. A tongue tie can impair speech and limit some of these essential movements, making pronouncing certain words or sounds difficult, however not everyone who has a tongue tie experiences speech issues.
3. Swallowing Problems
Tongue ties can also lead to issues with eating and swallowing. Your tongue plays a vital role in chewing and pushing food and liquid to the back of your throat. When your tongue’s mobility is limited, swallowing can be difficult, causing gagging, choking, or even breathing problems.
4. Chronic TMJ Pain
In some cases, a tongue tie can lead to tension and strain in the neck, jaw, and shoulders. A tongue tie release can relieve this added pressure on the body and the jaw muscles and relieve TMJ pain.
5. Dental Issues
Tongue ties increase your risk of oral diseases due to mouth breathing, leading to dental health problems like cavities and gum disease.
While these symptoms don’t automatically mean you have a tongue tie, they can indicate poor tongue mobility. An airway-focused dentist should examine you to get to the root of your problem to help you determine what services you need to improve your tongue mobility so that you feel like your tongue isn’t working against you.
Experience the Freedom of Full Tongue Mobility at Restoration Dentistry
You don’t have to live with the daily challenges of a tongue tie—whether it’s difficulty breathing, poor sleep, fatigue, speech struggles, or chronic jaw, neck, and shoulder tension. At Restoration Dentistry, we take a whole-body approach to oral health, using an advanced CO2 laser technology for precise, comfortable tongue tie releases, when needed as part of your treatment plan. Our goal is to help you achieve better mobility, improved sleep, and relief from persistent discomfort. With an interdisciplinary team of medical professionals, we ensure your treatment is comprehensive, leading to long-lasting results.
If you’re tired of feeling like your tongue is holding you back, we’re here to help. Our airway-focused approach means we look beyond just your mouth to address the root cause of your symptoms. Schedule a consultation today to take the first step toward better breathing, better sleep, clearer speech, and a more comfortable life. Call (208) 229-1500 or reach out through our contact form.
