Understanding Adult Tongue-Tie Release
Adult tongue tie release is an important step to regaining both your oral and overall health.
Ankyloglossia, commonly known as tongue-tie, is a condition where the lingual frenulum—a band of tissue connecting the tongue to the floor of the mouth—is unusually short, thick, or tight.
This restriction can significantly impede tongue mobility, leading to various challenges in daily life. While often identified and addressed in infancy, many adults remain unaware that they have a tongue-tie, having adapted to its limitations over time.
However, these adaptations can result in persistent issues affecting speech, eating, oral health, and overall well-being. Undergoing a tongue-tie release procedure in adulthood can offer substantial improvements.
We believe it’s essential to understand both the benefits and potential drawbacks before making an informed decision. This article will cover expected benefits, potential risks and what you can expect on a tongue-tied journey.
Signs and Symptoms Adult Tongue-Tie Release
If you’re just beginning to consider tongue tie as possible cause for your oral or health issues you may want to first use our self -assessment guide to determine if you do or don’t have a tongue tie.
Once you’ve done a visual inspection it’s time to consider some common signs and symptoms.
In adults, a tongue-tie can manifest through various symptoms, including:
Speech Difficulties:
Challenges in articulating certain sounds, leading to speech impediments. Most common in adults are S, Z, SH, CH, J, and R as the main sounds to have imprecise productions.
Adults also note feelings of strain and fatigue when speaking for longer periods of time. A sense of feeling slushy or slurring when they are tired or speaking at length.
Eating Challenges:
Difficulty in chewing and swallowing, which can affect nutrition and enjoyment of food. A limited diet with certain foods such as lettuce are avoided. Poor oral mastication can lead to digestive disruptions. An adult may be experiencing reflux, heartburn, gas and bloating symptoms. Also, a feeling of food being stuck in the throat or esophagus can occur due to poor propulsion from a tied tongue.
Oral Health Issues:
Increased risk of cavities and gum disease due to limited tongue movement affecting oral hygiene. When the tongue is tied it can not easily reach food debris on the teeth leading to problems with increased oral disease.
Breathing Problems:
Mouth breathing and sleep apnea can result from improper tongue posture. When the tongue is tied it will rest low in the mouth on the floor. It should be resting up in your palate. This palatal resting placement allows for improved lip closure, mouth closed at rest, nasal breathing, and intra-oral pressure to drive sinus and ear tube draining.
Closed mouth and nasal breathing during sleep lead to deeper REM sleep and improved restorative sleeping. When tongue-tied, an adult can experience open-mouth breathing during sleep, which leads to increased snoring and sleep apnea.
Social and Mechanical Limitations:
Discomfort during activities like kissing or playing wind instruments has been noted in adults with ties. Some adults find that they avoid social situations involving eating due to restrictive diet choices and open-mouth chewing.
Others report that they feel awkward kissing their partners. Though not everyone plays an instrument, if you enjoy that and your oral skills prevent you from enjoying it fully, your quality of life is impacted by your tie.
These challenges can significantly impact an individual’s quality of life, making it essential to consider treatment options.
The Adult Tongue-Tie Release Procedure
A tongue-tie release, also known as a frenectomy or frenuloplasty, is a minor surgical procedure designed to remove or modify the restrictive frenulum, allowing for greater tongue mobility.
This surgical release is best performed following a course of oral motor myofunctional therapy. It is typically an in-office procedure that takes about 10-15 minutes to complete.
Relatively speaking it is one of the easier procedures an adult will experience in their lives when it comes to medical interventions.
Who Performs an Adult Tongue-Tie Release?
Several types of medical and dental professionals can perform a tongue-tie release, including:
- Oral Surgeons: Specialists in surgical procedures of the mouth and jaw.
- ENT (Ear, Nose, and Throat) Specialists: Experts in head and neck conditions, including tongue-ties.
- Dentists with Specialized Training: Some dentists, particularly those with experience in laser dentistry or oral function, offer tongue-tie releases.
What’s important in choosing a provider to release is their experience. Too often we look just for the doctor who is in our insurance plan. However, not all providers in these fields are equally well-versed in tongue ties.
Every profession has specialists. That is no different with these doctors. Check out the Tongue Tie Life Website to locate a preferred provider near you.
Keep in mind that it would be worth a 2-hour drive and out-of-pocket cost for an experienced provider vs. an in-network close-to-town provider.
Types of Procedures
- Scalpel Frenectomy: The traditional method uses a scalpel to cut the frenulum, followed by stitches if needed.
- Laser Frenectomy: A minimally invasive approach using a laser to release the frenulum with reduced bleeding and faster healing.
- Electrocautery Frenectomy: Uses heat to sever the frenulum while minimizing blood loss.
The choice of procedure depends on the severity of the tongue-tie and the provider’s expertise. Most providers today are using the laser method due to its advantage of sealing while cutting. This lowers bleeding and infection risks.
Some adults may have had a previous release performed as a child, or earlier in adulthood. In this case, there may be scar tissue.
In this instance, the scalpel may be used to first remove the scar tissue, and then the laser will release the remaining frenulum tissue for a complete release.
Don’t judge the tool, judge by the provider’s experience and outcomes. Any tool in the hands of a skilled release provider will create a good release of the tissue.
Benefits of Adult Tongue-Tie Release
Undergoing a tongue-tie release can offer numerous advantages:
1. Enhanced Speech Clarity
The tongue plays a crucial role in articulation. As mentioned, a restricted frenulum can hinder the production of specific sounds, leading to speech impediments. Post-surgery, many adults experience improved clarity and articulation, boosting confidence in personal and professional interactions.
2. Improved Eating and Swallowing
A free-moving tongue aids in efficient chewing and swallowing. Releasing the tongue-tie can alleviate difficulties in these areas, allowing individuals to enjoy a broader range of foods without discomfort. Improved digestion goes hand in hand with improved chewing and swallowing.
3. Better Oral Health
The tongue assists in cleaning the mouth by sweeping away food particles and stimulating saliva production. Enhanced mobility can lead to improved oral hygiene, reducing the risk of cavities and gum disease. Additionally, some adults note that it is easier to brush their teeth once released.
4. Alleviation of TMJ and Neck Pain
Restricted tongue movement can cause compensatory muscle tension in the jaw and neck, leading to temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders and chronic pain. Surgical release can reduce this tension, providing relief from associated discomfort. Headaches are regularly reported with jaw and neck pain and these are noted to reduce after tongue tie release.
5. Enhanced Breathing and Sleep Quality
Proper tongue posture is vital for maintaining an open airway during sleep. A tongue-tie can contribute to mouth breathing and sleep apnea. Post-surgical improvements in tongue mobility can promote nasal breathing and reduce sleep-disordered breathing symptoms.
6. Improved Social Interactions
Activities such as kissing or playing wind instruments require a flexible tongue. Releasing a tongue-tie can enhance comfort and ability in these areas, enriching personal and social experiences.
7. Reduced Anxiety
Because a tongue tie impacts the nervous system and vagus nerve many adults note reduced anxiety once they are released. Some have commented that it is as if the dimmer switch has lowered on their body, and they have a greater sense of calm. We may also consider that if breathing is improved, this would also help to alleviate anxious feelings.
Potential Disadvantages and Considerations of Adult Tongue-Tie Release
While the benefits are compelling, it’s crucial to be aware of potential drawbacks:
- Postoperative Discomfort: Some individuals may experience pain, swelling, or discomfort following the procedure. These symptoms are typically temporary and manageable with appropriate care.
- Risk of Complications: As with any surgical procedure, there are risks of bleeding, infection, or adverse reactions to anesthesia. Choosing an experienced practitioner can minimize these risks.
- Need for Postoperative Therapy: To achieve optimal results, some patients may require speech or myofunctional therapy post-surgery to retrain tongue movements and address habitual patterns developed over time.
- Scar Tissue Formation: In rare cases, scar tissue may develop at the surgical site, potentially restricting tongue movement again and necessitating further intervention.
- Adjustment Period: Adapting to increased tongue mobility can take time. Some individuals may find the adjustment period challenging as they relearn certain oral functions. A report of increased slurring in the speech is a frequently reported concern.
- Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS): is a group of inherited connective tissue disorders that affect the body’s collagen and elastin proteins. These proteins provide support and structure to the skin, joints, blood vessels, and other organs. Special precautions should be taken with your medical team if you have this condition.
- Time Investment: Adults are busy with families and work. Making the time to complete home programs for myofunctional exercises is a necessity. Also, a few days off from work to recover from the surgical release may be beneficial. Scheduling the procedure during a lighter work season and family time should be considered.
Making the Decision for Adult Tongue-Tie Release
Deciding to undergo a tongue-tie release as an adult requires careful consideration of the potential benefits and drawbacks. Consultation with healthcare professionals, including a speech-language pathologist and an oral surgeon or dental specialist, is essential. They can assess the severity of the tongue-tie, discuss expected outcomes, and develop a comprehensive treatment plan tailored to individual needs.
Incorporating orofacial myofunctional therapy before and after the procedure can enhance outcomes. By retraining the muscles of the face and mouth, we ensure the tongue functions optimally within the oral cavity.
While the prospect of surgery can be daunting, many adults who have undergone tongue-tie release report significant improvements in their quality of life. Noting clearer speech and more enjoyable eating experiences to better sleep and enhanced social interactions.
Weighing the pros and cons with the guidance of qualified professionals can lead to a decision that best supports long-term health and well-being.
Final Thoughts Adult Tongue-Tie Release
While releasing a tongue-tie in adulthood presents potential challenges, the benefits often outweigh the drawbacks for those experiencing symptoms.
A thorough evaluation and a personalized approach to treatment are paramount to achieving the best possible outcomes.
At Lynn’s Tied Together Hub, we have the information and resources to help you make an informed decision. Check out our other BLOG articles on tongue ties and other tethered oral tissues.
When we consider the visual look of the frenulum coupled with the functional impact of the tied frenulum, then we can make informed decisions. One may have a relatively slight tie but have big impact upon their body. Meanwhile, another may have a very prominent tied tongue and have minimal impact on their mouth and body.
No two ties are the same! For many adults, a tongue-tie release is more than just a simple procedure—it is an opportunity to untether their health from years of restriction.
By addressing this long-overlooked limitation, individuals can unlock new potential in speech, breathing, eating, and overall well-being. The journey to better health begins with untying the ties that have held you back, allowing you to experience the freedom and functionality that should have always been yours.