Things That You Need To Know About Tongue Tie and Lip Tie in Adults

Lip and tongue ties can also affect adults, although they may not always be recognized or diagnosed until later in life. Here are some implications and considerations regarding lip and tongue ties in adults:

1. Speech and Articulation: Adults with untreated tongue ties may experience challenges with certain speech sounds or clarity of speech. This can impact communication and confidence in social and professional settings.

2. Oral Hygiene: Lip ties in adults, especially if they cause a gap between the teeth (diastema), can affect oral hygiene. Food particles may accumulate more easily, leading to increased risk of dental issues like cavities and gum disease.

3. Feeding and Chewing: In some cases, tongue tie can affect an adult's ability to manipulate food and chew properly. This can lead to difficulties with certain textures of food or swallowing.

4. Jaw and Neck Pain: Adults with untreated tongue tie may experience chronic jaw or neck pain due to improper tongue posture and function. This can contribute to muscle tension and discomfort.

5. Dental and Orthodontic Issues: Lip tie and tongue tie can contribute to dental problems such as misalignment of teeth, malocclusion, or difficulty with orthodontic treatments.

6. Breathing and Sleep Apnea: Severe tongue tie can be associated with breathing difficulties, especially during sleep. This can contribute to snoring, sleep apnea, or other respiratory issues.

7. Psychological Impact: Adults who have struggled with undiagnosed lip or tongue tie may experience frustration, embarrassment, or self-consciousness related to their oral function or appearance.

8. Treatment Options: Just like in infants and children, adults with lip or tongue ties can benefit from a surgical procedure called frenectomy or frenuloplasty to release the tight frenulum. This can be performed by oral surgeons, ENT specialists, or dentists experienced in treating these conditions.

If you suspect that you have a lip or tongue tie and it's impacting your daily life, it's important to consult with a healthcare provider. We can assess your condition, discuss potential treatment options, and help you address any related concerns or difficulties you may be experiencing. Early intervention can often lead to improved oral function, comfort, and overall well-being.

Call (02) 9558 8988 Or email us at info@painfreedentistsydney.com.au to make an appointment. Our doctor with over 30 years of clinical experience will be happy to help you.

Adult Tongue Tie

You are probably aware of what a tongue tie is if you have read our previous blog posts. It is essentially a condition that you are born with where your tongue has limited movement due to a shortened piece of skin which connects the underside of your tongue to the floor of the mouth. This is usually an issue that is apparent in infants; however it is also prevalent in the adult population. Many adults have gone through life with an un-diagnosed tongue tie. This may seem as an irrelevant issue; however you would be surprised to know just how many different symptoms it could cause ranging from social to sleeping and dental problems such as:

• Inability to open mouth widely which affects pronunciation of certain letters and inability to speak clearly when talking fast or loud.

• Pain or clicking in one or both jaw joints

• Headaches or migraines.

• Chronic neck, back and shoulder pain.

• Increased risk for developing gum inflammation and cavities.

• Mouth breathing leading to frequently dry mouth.

• Sleep apnea which affects the quality of your sleep. You may be waking up tired often and have an increased need to take afternoon naps.

• Crooked teeth

 A good way to test whether or not your tongue is tied is by opening your mouth to it's full extent and then extending the tip of your tongue to the roof of your mouth just behind your front teeth. If you are unable to do this, then there is a possibility that you are tongue tied and you should probably book an appointment with your Dentist for a full examination. 

Treatment of the adult tongue involves a procedure using a laser where the piece of skin restricting the tongue movement is released. At Pain Free Dentist Sydney, in the hands of our experienced clinician you are guaranteed to have a pain free experience. Post operative care involves performing a range of simple exercises for a period of time to prevent re-attachment and scaring. 

If you have any questions in regards to adult tongue ties or suspect that you may have this condition feel free to call us on (02) 9558 8988 to book a consultation appointment.

Tongue Ties Breastfeeding problems

There are various reasons as to why your baby is failing to breastfeed. Sometimes it is due to anatomical reasons such as tongue and lip ties that are preventing the baby from latching appropriately.

Firstly, tongue and lip ties prevent a baby from opening his or her mouth widely enough, and thus will result in the baby not latching onto the nipple properly and possibly chewing on it. Additionally, due to the tension caused by the short frenum the tongue is unable to protrude horizontally past the gum ridge/lips and thus it unable to protect the nipple from injury. This will cause severe pain and discomfort for the mother. You may also notice that milk is dribbling from the mouth while the baby is sucking. This is due to the baby’s inability to make a good seal around the breast with his/her lips. This can sometimes also be caused by the presence of a lip tie, which limits the mobility of the upper lip.

Inappropriate breastfeeding technique not only affects the mother, but it also affects the baby. The baby will not be receiving the required nutrient intake and thus will lead to weight loss.

To summarise, some signs and symptoms to look out for include:

• Nipple damage: cracking, bruising, blistering, misshapen nipple after breastfeeding

• Pain: most common symptom that a mother experiences. Painful breastfeeding is usually not normal.

• Incomplete Breast Drainage: can be caused by various reasons which includes inability to draw enough negative intraoral pressure due to poor seal and inadequate use of tongue

• Decrease in milk supply over time

• Clicking sound while breast feeding (this is not always linked to tongue ties- perhaps you can consult a lactation nurse about the other reasons that cause this issue)

If you have any information or would like to book your child in for an examination please do not hesitate to contact us on (02) 9558 8988.

Pain Free Dentist Sydney: G01A, 570 New Canterbury Road, Hurlstone Park NSW 2193