Still Struggling with Jaw Pain, Speech, or Snoring? It Could Be a Tongue Tie.
Most people associate tongue tie (or ankyloglossia) with infants who have trouble breastfeeding. But what many don’t realise is that tongue ties don’t go away on their own—and in adults, they can cause a wide range of daily issues that often go misdiagnosed.
At Pain Free Dentist Sydney, we see many adult patients with severe tongue ties who never knew their symptoms were connected to restricted tongue movement.
What Is a Tongue Tie?
A tongue tie is a condition where the thin band of tissue (lingual frenulum) under the tongue is too short or tight, restricting natural tongue movement. This can affect how your tongue rests, speaks, swallows, and functions—leading to a cascade of problems over time.
Symptoms of a Severe Tongue Tie in Adults
You may have a tongue tie and not even realise it. Here are common symptoms:
Chronic jaw or neck tension
Difficulty speaking clearly or fatigue when talking
Snoring or mild sleep apnea
Headaches or migraines
Teeth grinding (bruxism)
Gum recession or crowding
Digestive issues from poor chewing
Difficulty swallowing or eating certain foods
Clicking jaw or TMJ dysfunction
Forward head posture
Low tongue posture impacting nasal breathing
Why a Tongue Tie Affects Your Daily Life
Your tongue is a foundational muscle for speaking, breathing, and swallowing. If it’s restricted, your body has to compensate. Over time, this leads to:
✅ Postural Strain
A restricted tongue can affect head, neck, and jaw posture, leading to chronic muscle tightness and tension.
✅ Sleep & Breathing Problems
The tongue may fall backward during sleep, narrowing the airway and contributing to snoring or obstructive sleep apnea.
✅ Speech & Communication Issues
Many adults develop habits like mumbling, lisping, or avoiding certain words due to tongue mobility issues.
✅ Digestive Problems
Poor tongue mobility affects chewing and swallowing, which impacts digestion and gut health.
✅ Emotional Impact
Ongoing speech or health issues can affect self-confidence, relationships, and quality of life.
Why It’s Often Missed
Most adults with tongue ties were never diagnosed in childhood. They simply “adapted” over time—without realising that symptoms like TMJ pain, poor sleep, or posture issues are linked to restricted tongue movement.
Even many healthcare providers overlook tongue ties unless they have specific training in orofacial function and airway-focused dentistry—which we offer at Pain Free Dentist Sydney.
Treatment: What Can Be Done for a Tongue Tie in Adults?
✅ Comprehensive Assessment
We assess not just the tongue, but how it affects your posture, jaw, airway, and daily function. We may use digital imaging, airway screening, and functional movement tests.
✅ Frenectomy (Tongue Tie Release)
A precise, minimally invasive procedure (often with laser) that releases the tight tissue and restores natural tongue mobility.
✅ Myofunctional Therapy
We work with trained therapists to retrain tongue, jaw, and breathing patterns for long-term results and symptom relief.
✅ TMJ & Breathing Support
We address co-existing issues like TMJ pain, clenching, or mouth breathing through a full-body approach.
What Patients Say After Tongue Tie Release
Many adult patients experience:
Better sleep and less snoring
Clearer, easier speech
Relief from jaw pain or tension
Improved breathing and posture
Less clenching or teeth grinding
Boost in confidence and energy
Think You Might Have a Tongue Tie? We Can Help.
If you’re constantly dealing with pain, fatigue, or breathing issues—and haven’t found relief—a tongue tie could be the missing piece. At Pain Free Dentist Sydney, we take a gentle, holistic approach to uncover and treat tongue restrictions in adults.
Book a Tongue Tie Assessment Today
📞 Call us: 9558 8988
📧 Email: info@painfreedentistsydney.com.au
🌐 Book online: https://painfreedentistsydney.com.au/