Discussions about lip and tongue ties often center on babies and children. After all, these issues are present at birth, and they are usually diagnosed and treated early in life. That is why so much information focuses exclusively on addressing lip and tongue ties during childhood. But what about adults? Can grown-ups also have lip and tongue ties? Yes, they can! This blog post explains what you should know.
Lip and Tongue Ties Do Not Go Away
A lip tie is what occurs when the tissue between the lip and gums is too short or thick, and a tongue tie is what happens when the tissue between the tongue and floor of the mouth is similarly restrictive. During infancy, these problems can interfere with healthy feeding and cause a range of other issues.
Lip and tongue ties develop in the womb, and as a person grows, these issues do not simply go away or “stretch out”. Although a person may learn to cope with a lip or tongue tie by adjusting the way they use their oral structures, the underlying problem will be there until proper professional treatment is provided.
Recognizing Lip and Tongue Ties in Adults
Many adults have lived for years with a lip or tongue tie without realizing the underlying cause of their symptoms. Some signs may seem minor, while others can impact daily life in significant ways. The following list includes potential symptoms that might suggest the presence of one of these problems:
- Difficulty with clear speech or frequent need to repeat words.
- Challenges when eating certain foods, such as trouble swallowing or discomfort with specific textures.
- Chronic jaw or facial pain that does not respond to typical treatments.
- Frequent mouth breathing or snoring during sleep.
- Persistent dental issues, including gum recession or gaps between teeth.
- Difficulty maintaining oral hygiene due to restricted tongue movement.
- Limited ability to move the tongue or lip fully, such as trouble sticking out the tongue or touching the roof of the mouth.
- Unexplained headaches or neck pain.
Treating Lip and Tongue Ties in Adults
If you suspect you have a lip or tongue tie, seek evaluation from a qualified dental professional. They might recommend that you undergo a frenectomy, a simple surgical procedure that releases the restrictive tissue. This procedure is usually quick and involves minimal discomfort and downtime.
In addition to surgical intervention, many adults benefit from myofunctional therapy, which involves targeted exercises to retrain the muscles of the mouth and face. Myofunctional therapy can help you adapt to the increased range of motion in your oral structures and improve functions such as speech and swallowing.
Lip and tongue ties can affect adults just as much as they do children! If you believe you have one or both of these issues, now is the time to pursue the appropriate care.
Meet the Practice
At Healthy Sleep Tulsa, our practice is proud to provide frenectomy services for patients of various ages. We use the advanced LightScalpel laser to perform the procedure; it optimizes comfort and reduces healing times. To learn more about this service or to request a consultation, contact our office at 918-300-4325.