Tongue Ties: A Small Restriction That Can Lead to a Lifetime of Functional Challenges

If you've recently heard the term tongue tie, you're not alone.

Over the past several years, awareness of tongue ties has grown among parents and healthcare providers. Many tongue ties are now identified early in life—often when babies experience breastfeeding or feeding difficulties, or later when speech concerns arise.

However, not all cases are recognized in infancy. Some individuals are not diagnosed until adolescence or adulthood, after years of searching for answers to challenges such as sleep issues, jaw tension, speech differences, or oral function concerns.

This article is the first in a series exploring tongue ties, oral development, airway health, and the role tongue function plays in lifelong wellness.

If you suspect a tongue tie in yourself or your child, a comprehensive assessment is an important first step. At Westwood Dental and Starwood Dental, our team includes airway-trained dentists and registered dental hygienists trained in myofunctional therapy. Together, we assess oral function and help guide families toward appropriate next steps when needed.

What Is a Tongue Tie? (Ankyloglossia Explained)

A tongue tie, medically known as ankyloglossia, occurs when the band of tissue beneath the tongue (the lingual frenulum) restricts normal tongue movement.

Everyone has this tissue. The difference is that, in some individuals, it limits how freely the tongue can move.

Because the tongue plays an important role in feeding, swallowing, speech, breathing, oral posture, and jaw development, restricted movement can affect multiple areas of health and function.

Modern diagnosis focuses on tongue function—not just appearance.

Tongue Tie Symptoms in Babies: Breastfeeding and Feeding Challenges

Tongue ties are often first noticed during breastfeeding or bottle-feeding.

Common signs may include:

• Difficulty latching

• Frequent detaching during feeds

• Prolonged feeding sessions

• Poor weight gain (although this is not always present)

• Clicking sounds while nursing

• Maternal nipple pain or damage

• Frustration during feeding

• Excessive gas from swallowing air

  
  

According to Dr. Richard Baxter in Tongue-Tied:

"Time is of the essence in the early postpartum period for the successful establishment of a breastfeeding relationship."

Early assessment can support feeding success during this critical stage.

Could This Apply to Your Baby? Infant Feeding Screening Checklist:

If your baby is experiencing one or more of the following symptoms, an evaluation with trained healthcare providers may be beneficial:

☐ Difficulty achieving or maintaining a latch

☐ Frequent clicking sounds during feeding

☐ Milk leaking from the sides of the mouth

☐ Prolonged feeding sessions (30–60+ minutes)

☐ Falling asleep quickly during feeds but remaining hungry

☐ Gassiness or excessive air intake during feeding

☐ Frustration at the breast or bottle

☐ Slow weight gain or concerns regarding feeding efficiency

☐ Maternal nipple pain, damage, or recurring plugged ducts while breastfeeding

Important: This checklist is intended to raise awareness and does not replace a professional evaluation. Feeding difficulties can have multiple causes, and a comprehensive assessment is recommended.

Tongue Tie Symptoms in Children, Teens, and Adults

Although often identified in infancy, tongue ties can persist into later life.

Possible signs and associated symptoms include:

• Speech articulation difficulties

• Mouth breathing

• Orthodontic crowding

• Poor tongue posture

• Difficulty swallowing certain foods

• Sleep-disordered breathing

• Jaw, neck, or facial tension

• Challenges maintaining nasal breathing

  
  

Some adults are only diagnosed after years of unexplained symptoms and frustration.

Could This Apply to Your Child? Functional Screening Checklist:

Children with restricted tongue function may experience symptoms that extend beyond speech alone.

Consider the following:

☐ Open-mouth posture at rest

☐ Frequent mouth breathing

☐ Snoring or restless sleep

☐ Difficulty chewing certain foods

☐ Gagging easily or sensitivity to certain food textures

☐ Speech concerns or difficulty producing specific sounds

☐ Crowded teeth or narrow dental arches

☐ Thumb sucking beyond the toddler years

☐ Difficulty keeping the tongue resting on the roof of the mouth

☐ Neck tension, jaw discomfort, or frequent headaches

The presence of these signs does not necessarily indicate a tongue tie. However, when multiple symptoms occur together, a comprehensive evaluation may provide valuable insight into your child's oral function and development.

Tongue Tie and Speech Problems

Restricted tongue movement may affect clarity of speech in some individuals.

Speech is complex, and not all speech concerns are caused by tongue ties. However, tongue mobility can influence the production of certain sounds that require elevation or controlled tongue movement.

For this reason, a full assessment by trained professionals is important before making conclusions about the relationship between speech and tongue function.

Why Tongue Ties Are Often Missed

Historically, tongue ties were under-recognized because healthcare training frequently focused on symptoms in isolation:

• Feeding difficulties → Lactation support

• Speech concerns → Speech therapy

• Breathing issues → ENT or sleep medicine

• Dental crowding → Orthodontics

  
  

Today, we increasingly understand that these systems are interconnected through oral function.

The Blind Men and the Elephant: Understanding the Bigger Picture

The parable of the blind men and the elephant reminds us that understanding complex health concerns often requires looking at the whole picture rather than focusing on one isolated symptom.

Different healthcare providers may recognize different pieces of the puzzle:

• Feeding challenges

• Speech concerns

• Sleep disturbances

• Dental crowding

• Oral posture concerns

  
  

Each perspective is valuable—but incomplete on its own.

A collaborative approach often provides a clearer understanding of how oral function may be influencing overall health.

Tongue Tie Diagnosis: What Professionals Look For

A proper tongue tie assessment evaluates function, including:

• Tongue elevation

• Tongue extension

• Swallowing patterns

• Feeding mechanics

• Speech function

• Oral resting posture

• Breathing patterns

  
  

Appearance alone is not enough for diagnosis.

The goal is to understand how the tongue is functioning within the larger context of the individual's health and development.

Tongue Tie Assessment and Treatment at Westwood Dental & Starwood Dental

If you are searching for tongue tie treatment, our clinics provide comprehensive evaluation and collaborative care.

At Westwood Dental and Starwood Dental, our team includes:

• Dentists trained in airway-focused dentistry

• Registered dental hygienists trained in myofunctional therapy

• A collaborative, function-based assessment approach

We evaluate how tongue restriction may be affecting:

• Feeding

• Speech

• Breathing

• Sleep

• Oral development

• Overall quality of life

Treatment recommendations are individualized and based on functional findings, goals, and the unique needs of each patient.

Why This Matters: The Potential Long-Term Impact

Tongue function plays an important role throughout life.

When restrictions significantly impact function, they may contribute to:

• Airway challenges

• Dental crowding

• Speech difficulties

• Sleep disruption

• Jaw tension and discomfort

• Compensatory oral habits

  
  

Not every tongue tie requires treatment. However, understanding how the tongue functions can help individuals and families make informed decisions about care.

This Is Just the Beginning

This article is part of an ongoing educational series exploring the relationship between tongue function, oral health, and overall wellness.

Upcoming topics include:

• Tongue tie symptoms in babies

• Tongue tie in adults

• Tongue tie and speech problems

• Tongue tie release procedures

• Myofunctional therapy

• Sleep and airway health

• Tonsils, adenoids, and ENT connections

• Dental and orthodontic implications

• Choosing a tongue tie provider

• Best practices in diagnosis and collaborative care

  
  

In our next article, we'll take a closer look at infant tongue ties, breastfeeding challenges, and the early signs parents should watch for during the first weeks of life.

Concerned About Feeding, Speech, Breathing, or Oral Development?

If you have questions about tongue ties or wonder whether a functional assessment may be appropriate for you or your child, our team is here to help.

At Westwood Dental and Starwood Dental, we believe that understanding oral function is an important part of supporting lifelong health.

Contact our offices to learn more about our collaborative approach to tongue tie assessments and airway-focused care.

References

• Baxter, R. Tongue-Tied: How a Tiny String Under the Tongue Impacts Nursing, Speech, Feeding, and More

• American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) guidelines

• Messner, A.H., & Lalakea, M.L. (2002). Ankyloglossia and Speech Outcomes

• International Affiliation of Tongue-Tie Professionals (IATP) resources