When most people hear the words "tongue tie," they picture a baby struggling to latch during breastfeeding.
But what many don't realize is that tongue ties don’t go away with age — and they can cause real, lasting challenges well into adulthood.

If you’ve been living with unexplained jaw pain, speech difficulties, sleep issues, or even breathing challenges, your tongue might be playing a bigger role than you think.

What is a Tongue Tie?

A tongue tie (also called ankyloglossia) happens when the band of tissue (the frenulum) under the tongue is too tight, thick, or short, restricting how freely the tongue can move.

While some tongue ties are diagnosed and treated early, many go unnoticed — especially if early feeding or speech issues were subtle or manageable.
But even a mild restriction can create ripple effects over time.

Do tongue ties cause problems in adults?

Here’s how a restricted tongue can quietly affect you:

Jaw Pain and Tension

The tongue plays a crucial role in stabilizing the jaw. If the tongue can’t rest properly against the palate, other muscles — like those in the jaw, neck, and face — work overtime to compensate.
This can lead to:

Chronic TMJ discomfort
Headaches
Neck and shoulder tension

Breathing and Sleep Issues

A free-moving tongue naturally rests against the roof of the mouth, supporting nasal breathing and healthy airway development.
When the tongue is tethered low:

Mouth breathing becomes more common
The airway can narrow
Snoring, restless sleep, or even obstructive sleep apnea can develop or worsen

Speech Difficulties

Even adults who have “outgrown” childhood speech issues may still notice:

Slurred or mumbled speech when tired
Difficulty articulating certain sounds (like “L,” “R,” “S,” or “TH”)
Fatigue during extended speaking

Chewing and Swallowing Challenges

A restricted tongue can affect how you move food around your mouth, leading to:

Difficulty chewing certain textures
Food getting "stuck" or pocketed in the cheeks
Frequent throat clearing or swallowing effort

Overall Fatigue and Quality of Life

When basic tasks like breathing, speaking, and swallowing require extra effort, it adds up — creating daily fatigue, tension, and frustration that can be hard to trace back to the source.

Signs You Might Have an Undiagnosed Tongue Tie

You breathe mostly through your mouth (especially at night)
You clench or grind your teeth
You experience chronic jaw, neck, or facial pain
Your tongue feels restricted when trying to reach the roof of your mouth
You struggle with nasal congestion or restless sleep
You notice tension or clicking when chewing or speaking

What Can You Do About It?

The good news?

It's never too late to address a tongue tie.
Adults can benefit immensely from a thorough evaluation and a tailored treatment plan that might include:

Myofunctional therapy (exercises to improve tongue and oral muscle function)
Collaboration with dentists, ENTs, or oral surgeons when needed
Release procedures (like frenectomy) — when appropriate — done carefully with functional support before and after

The goal isn't just to "cut a frenulum" — it's to restore healthy, efficient function in the tongue, jaw, airway, and beyond.

Final Thoughts

If you’ve been chasing symptoms like jaw pain, fatigue, breathing difficulties, or speech challenges without clear answers, it’s worth considering whether a tongue restriction could be part of the picture.
You deserve to feel comfortable, breathe easily, and move through life without unnecessary tension.

A healthy, functional tongue is more important than most people realize — at every stage of life.

Curious if a tongue tie might be affecting you? I offer functional evaluations designed to get to the root of the problem — and help you move forward with clarity and confidence.