Do I have a tongue tie?

Troubleshooting jaw pain can be one of the most difficult and frustrating things to do when you don’t even know where to begin. Or maybe you’ve consulted a variety of providers and TMJ specialists only to have spent thousands of dollars on imaging and orthotic devices with minimal answers or relief. This can often be due to missing certain pieces of the puzzle such as, a tongue tie.

What is a tongue tie?

A tongue tie or ankyloglossia is characterized by increased tissue tension limiting the tongues range of motion or ability to move. The lingual frenulum is often tight and restricted at birth. This problem can be identified and treated as an infant but often only addressed in babies struggling to breast feed. Unfortunately, many babies go on to have this condition overlooked and grow into adults who have learned to compensate around the problem.

How do I know if I have a tongue tie?

Contrary to popular belief, one should not simply just look inside your mouth and immediately know if there is a tongue tie. There are some significantly severe cases which present with a more obvious tie, however, functional testing should still be carried out for accuracy. A proper assessment by a qualified professional such as a dentist who specializes in tongue tie releases or an orofacial myofunctional therapist is key. They will take a thorough history and ask several symptom related questions along with having you perform various tasks requiring you to move your tongue and jaw in different ways observing for compensations or limitations in order to determine your level of limitation. Some of those include assessing for correct oral rest posture, tongue thrust swallowing, breathing patterns, and tongue mobility amongst other things.

What are the signs and symptoms of an undiagnosed tongue tie?

For a child, some of the red flags that pop up are having a hisotry of difficulties with breast feeding, gastrointestinal issues, behavioral issues, picky eating, bedwetting, open mouth breathing, chronic ear infections and sickness, tongue thrust swallows, bites issues, teeth crowding and narrow palate, sleep issues, oral hygiene issues, and speech issues.

For an adult who has compensated around their tongue tie, there may be some similar symptoms such as teeth crowding, high and narrow palate, sleep disorders, oral hygiene issues, gastrointestinal issues, and chronic sickness. Some other signs and symptoms are body wide tension, neck pain and headaches, bite issues, sleep apnea, TMJ dysfunction, and psychosocial impact causing anxiety and depression.

What can I do for it?

My first recommendation is DO NOT just go and get the tie released. There is an important series of steps to take leading up to the release and following in order to maximize the benefits of the release and ensure a revision is not needed in the future. The very first step is to have a myofunctional therapy assessment. Once it is determined there is oral tissue tension and release is needed, therapy and oral exercises are the first step to be completed before even having the relase done. There is also a component of bodywork which may include chiropractic, craniosacral therapy, or physical therapy leading up to the release. Once the release is completed, there are a couple more weeks of therapy and exercises and a few more sessions of bodywork to help integrate the new movement of your tongue and fascia.

If you are currently dealing with TMJ issues and think you may have a tongue tie feel free to reach out via email or contact form! We can set up a free phone consult or go right to an in person or virtual assessment to evaluate your jaw and oral function.