If you have heard of tongue tie, you might associate it with babies. However, tongue ties can also affect adults. If the tongue tie goes undiagnosed, it can persist into adulthood. You may not realize the significant issues it can create for various parts of your life. Luckily, you can identify the symptoms and seek treatment options from your dentist.
What Is a Tongue Tie?
A tongue tie is a condition where the strip of skin beneath your tongue (the lingual frenulum) is shorter than usual. As a result, it can restrict the tongue’s range of motion. This can lead to various issues in both children and adults.
How Tongue Tie Affects Adults
Tongue ties can have several adverse effects on adult life. It is crucial to be aware of the issues so that you can talk to your dentist. For example, tongue ties can create speech difficulties. A restricted tongue can lead to speech problems. As a result, this can make it hard to pronounce certain sounds and words correctly. It can even cause speech impediments.
Furthermore, it can affect your ability to chew and swallow food effectively. Unfortunately, this may lead to digestive problems and a restricted diet. If you can’t chew your food properly, it makes it harder to digest your food.
Additionally, proper oral hygiene becomes difficult when your tongue can’t reach all areas of your mouth. This can increase the risk of dental issues like cavities and gum disease. In fact, a severe tongue tie may impact breathing, particularly during sleep, contributing to issues like sleep apnea.
Finally, difficulty with speech and eating can lead to social and emotional challenges. This can affect your self-esteem and confidence.
Identifying Tongue Ties in Adults
It’s crucial to be able to identify a tongue tie in adults. You may not be aware of some common signs and symptoms. If you have speech issues, you may struggle with certain sounds, such as “r” and “l.” It can even cause slurred speech or difficulty articulating words clearly.
With eating issues, those with a tongue tie may have difficulty moving food around in their mouths. Furthermore, you may be more prone to choking or gagging while eating.
Options for Adults with Tongue Tie
The good news is that there are options available to address tongue ties in adults and reduce their impact.
A frenotomy is a simple and quick procedure where a dentist clips the lingual frenulum to increase tongue mobility. This is typically performed in a clinic or dental office. Additionally, recovery is relatively fast.
For adults with speech difficulties due to tongue tie, speech therapy can be beneficial. A speech therapist can help you better your speech patterns and articulation. Myofunctional therapy focuses on retraining the muscles and functions of the mouth and face to improve speech, breathing, and oral function. Your dentist may be an expert in this form of therapy.
A dentist or orthodontist can provide guidance on oral hygiene. They may also suggest orthodontic treatment to address issues like misaligned teeth. Making certain lifestyle changes, such as practicing good oral hygiene, may help reduce the impact of tongue tie.