A perplexing thing has happened in the last 20 years. Adults have realized that living with adult tongue ties has a direct negative impact on their health. In this article, Tongue Tie in Adults vs. Normal, we will explore the differences between tethered and untethered tongues!
Normal Frenulum – Tongue Tie in Adults vs Normal
A normal frenulum is a small, connective band of tissue located under the tongue that allows for a full range of tongue movements. It anchors the tongue to the floor of the mouth while allowing the tongue to move freely.
When visualized it is pink in color and moves easily. It is long and stretches without any feeling of tension.
The tongue facilitates activities like swallowing, speech, and maintaining proper oral posture for optimal breathing. In individuals with a normal frenulum, the tongue can elevate to the roof of the mouth, or palate, without restriction.
Speaking and eating feel natural and effortless. When you have a normal frenulum, you never think about speech clarity or if something will be too hard for you to eat.
The tongue plays a crucial role in maintaining oral and airway health by resting comfortably against the palate when not in use. Enough cannot be said about the organization this resting posture gives to your entire body.
The authors of The Anatomical Relationships of the Tongue with the Body Systems, explain in detail the impact of the tongue on one’s well-being. Find the research below if you’d like a deep dive!
Tongue Tied Frenulums – Tongue Tie in Adults vs Normal
In contrast, a tongue tie (ankyloglossia) occurs when the frenulum is too short, thick, or rigid, restricting the tongue’s movement. This tethering can lead to a range of complications, particularly when undiagnosed or untreated in adulthood. While a normal frenulum supports healthy oral functions, a tongue tie often poses challenges that can persist and worsen over time.
We’ve created a guide to help you determine if you have a tongue tie. Grab your free guide to self-assess for tongue tie HERE and we will deliver it right to your email box!
A tongue tie is characterized by a frenulum that restricts the tongue’s range of motion. Unlike a normal frenulum, which is flexible and allows for unimpeded movement, a tongue-tied frenulum can lead to significant functional limitations. Adults with tongue ties often experience common challenges and difficulties.
Common Challenges/Difficulties- Tongue Tie in Adults vs. Normal
Speech difficulties
Subtle speech issues like a lisp or difficulty pronouncing certain sounds may persist into adulthood, even after years of speech therapy as a kid. Some adults report no speech issues as a kid but as they’ve aged, they feel strain, slushiness, and fatigue when speaking.
Eating Challenges
Difficulty swallowing, open-mouth chewing, or problems with specific foods due to inadequate tongue mobility. When the tongue is tied it will not easily lateralize the food bolus. This makes it difficult to chew food fully.
The low resting position of the tongue prevents a forceful elevation and limits the push backward of the muscle to propel the food bolus down the throat.
Open-mouth chewing leads to air being swallowed and digestive issues. The jaw helps the tongue and creates larger excursions of movements to assist the tongue. These larger excursions lead to an open-mouth posture while chewing.
Oral health issues
Increased risk of cavities and gum disease due to poor tongue posture and inability to clear food debris effectively.
When the tongue is limited in the range of motion due to being tethered it cannot reach the outer edge of the teeth. The molars are difficult to clean off and food debris will remain risking cavities.
Impact of Tongue Tie on Health
One striking difference in tongue tie in adults vs normal is how the condition impacts overall health. While individuals with a normal frenulum may rarely think about their tongue’s role in daily functions, those with tongue ties often face a lifetime of adaptations and challenges.
The effects of an untreated tongue tie extend beyond oral health and aesthetics. For adults, these impacts can be pervasive and include:
Airway and Breathing Issues
A restricted tongue can interfere with airway stability, contributing to snoring and sleep apnea. Poor tongue posture may lead to mouth breathing, exacerbating respiratory issues.
Optimal breathing is through the nose. When the mouth dominates breathing either awake or sleeping the body suffers.
When asleep this mouth posture can lead to snoring and sleep apnea. Both conditions significantly disturb deep restful sleep.
Poor sleep can lead to daytime drowsiness, moodiness, and irritability. This has a huge impact on one’s quality of life.
Digestive Problems
Swallowing air during meals due to limited tongue mobility can cause bloating, reflux, and other digestive discomforts. Improperly chewing the food additionally interferes with smooth digestion.
Many tongue-tied adults have spent years treating heartburn when all they really need is a tiny band to be released under the tongue!
Chronic Pain and Tension
Tongue ties often cause compensatory muscle use, leading to tension in the jaw, neck, and shoulders. Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders are more common in adults with tongue ties.
TMJ often is referred to Physical therapists to perform treatment. Whereas they are quite knowledgeable on the joint space they lack training in tongue ties. Treating TMJ without assessing the tongue can lead to years of repeated therapy.
Cycles of therapy are common in relationship to pain. If receiving chiropractic, PT, cranial sacral therapies for pain relief in the neck, back, or jaw, relief can be found. But once therapy ends, the origin of the dysfunction, tongue tie, pulls the body out of alignment.
The disharmony builds back to pain, and treatment is sought again. This cycle will not be completed until the core issue is treated along with the body.
Emotional and Social Challenges
Adults with tongue ties may feel self-conscious about their appearance or speech, leading to social anxiety and diminished confidence.
The tongue resting in the palate lessens stress and anxiety in one’s nervous system. Tongue-tied adults report a heightened sense of anxiety due to low resting tongue posture.
As mentioned earlier sleep can be impacted as well. This combination of poor sleep, self-consciousness, and disharmony contributes to an overall state of anxiety and stress.
An amazing outcome for adults with the release of the tongue tie is reports of improved mental health.
Myofunctional Intervention – Tongue Tie in Adults vs. Normal
One of the most effective non-surgical approaches to managing tongue tie in adults is myofunctional therapy. This therapeutic approach focuses on retraining the tongue and orofacial muscles to improve function and posture.
Benefits of Myofunctional Therapy
Improved Tongue Mobility
Exercises target tongue strengthening and flexibility, helping individuals maximize their range of motion in the tongue, lips, cheeks, and jaw. Myofascial release for the jaw and under the tongue relieves pain and allows for harmonious movements to be restored.
Better Oral Posture
Encourages the tongue to rest against the palate, promoting nasal breathing and better airway health. Teaching the tongue where to rest prior to a surgical release allows for optimal outcomes with surgery.
Enhanced Swallowing and Speech
Myofunctional therapy can address compensatory patterns that have developed over years of restricted tongue movement. A speech therapist is best positioned to educate on how the muscles should be moving for speech and feeding tasks.
Breaking down the compensatory movements and replacing them with the correct patterns of movement, is a comprehensive piece to myofunctional therapy.
Holistic Health Improvements
Resolving improper oral habits can alleviate symptoms like TMJ pain, digestive issues, and even headaches. Improvement in eyesight, and emotional and mental health issues are commonly reported.
A skilled speech-language pathologist specializing in myofunctional therapy can create a tailored plan to address the specific needs of adults with tongue ties. This intervention often serves as a prerequisite or complement to surgical treatment.
Your therapist will identify when the muscle and fascia systems have progressed to the point that surgical intervention can occur.
Surgical Intervention – Tongue Tie in Adults vs. Normal
For many adults, surgical release of a tongue tie (frenectomy or frenuloplasty) provides a permanent solution. This minor procedure involves releasing the restricted frenulum to restore full tongue mobility.
Techniques for Surgical Intervention
Laser Frenectomy: Utilizes a laser to cut the frenulum with minimal bleeding and discomfort.
Scalpel Frenectomy: A traditional method using a scalpel for frenulum release.
Frenuloplasty: Includes suturing and reshaping the frenulum, often used for severe cases.
Find a preferred provider for myofunctional therapy and surgical release HERE. This is a state-by-state guide that can assist you in locating knowledgeable providers.
Post-Surgical Care
Myofunctional therapy is essential both before and after surgery to prepare the tongue and surrounding muscles for new movement patterns. The tongue can achieve new positions prior to the surgery. Now, it can reach its full potential with the surgical release complete!
In the first 7-10 days following the surgical release exercises work to prevent reattachment of the frenulum. Reducing the chances of scar tissue and ensuring the best outcomes.
Optimize Functional Outcomes
The goal of all myofunctional and surgical interventions is to ensure long-term success.
Adults who undergo surgical intervention in combination with Myofunctional therapy often report significant improvements in speech, eating, and overall quality of life.
When considering Tongue Tie Adults vs. Normal we realize there is a significant gap in abilities and overall quality of life. Appreciating those differences and undertaking the journey to resolve tongue tied issues can be exciting and scary.
We’ve created a free guide to assist you on this journey. FREEDOM TO THRIVE -The Complete Guide To Addressing Tongue and Lip Tie for Adults.
Check out our blog article on Lip Ties as often we find that tethered oral tissues occur in more than one place!
Summary – Tongue Tie in Adults vs. Normal
Understanding the distinction between a normal frenulum and tongue tie in adults underscores the importance of identifying and addressing this condition. While a normal frenulum allows for seamless oral functions, a tongue tie can lead to widespread health and social challenges.
Both myofunctional therapy and surgical interventions offer effective pathways for improvement, with many adults experiencing transformative results.
Whether you suspect a tongue tie or are exploring options for treatment, consulting a specialist is the first step toward reclaiming optimal function and well-being.
For more insights into tongue ties and other tethered oral tissues, explore resources and expert advice at Lynn’s Tied Together Hub.