Understanding Tongue Tie (Ankyloglossia)

Helping feeding, speech, and function take flight for little ones in Santa Barbara.

Ankyloglossia, commonly known as tongue tie, is a congenital condition where the tongue's movement is restricted due to a short, thick, or tight lingual frenulum—the small piece of tissue that connects the bottom of the tongue to the floor of the mouth. While it may sound minor, tongue tie can affect feeding, oral function, airway health, and facial growth.

At Seabird Speech Therapy, we help families understand tongue tie and provide strategies to support your child’s oral function, feeding success, and overall development.

What is Tongue Tie?

Tongue tie occurs when the tissue under the tongue does not allow normal movement. This restriction can make it difficult for the tongue to elevate, move side-to-side, or extend fully. While some children with tongue tie speak normally, it can sometimes lead to mumbled speech because the tongue has a limited range of motion.

How Tongue Tie Develops

During fetal development, certain midline tissue is meant to naturally break down—a process called apoptosis. In tongue tie, this tissue does not fully regress, leading to a restrictive lingual frenulum. This restriction can affect tongue posture, swallowing, and oral muscle coordination, which in turn can influence how the jaw and mouth develop.

How Tongue Tie Impacts Oral Function

A restrictive tongue can lead to a range of feeding and oral challenges, including:

Cause	Impact on Oral Health & Function	Potential Result
Congenital Restriction of Lingual Frenulum	Limits tongue elevation, lateralization, and overall function	Feeding difficulties, poor oral motor control
Muscle & Connective Tissue Imbalance	Affects swallowing, tongue posture, and facial growth	Malocclusion, airway dysfunction
Oral Dysfunction & Compensatory Habits	Leads to tongue thrust, mouth breathing, and abnormal jaw posture	Orofacial myofunctional disorders (OMDs), sleep-disordered breathing

Key Takeaway: Tongue tie is not just about the tongue—it can affect how the mouth, jaw, and airway grow over time.

Signs and Symptoms to Watch For

Physical Signs

• Restricted tongue elevation or side-to-side movement

• Thick, short, or tight lingual frenulum

• High-arched or narrow palate due to tongue posture issues

Feeding Symptoms

• Breastfeeding challenges (poor latch, nipple pain for mom)

• Difficulty swallowing or moving food efficiently

• Mouth breathing or improper tongue rest posture

Speech Impact

• May be mumbled due to restricted range of motion.

Long-Term Impacts

• Compensatory swallowing patterns and tongue thrust

• Increased risk of dental malocclusion

• Airway concerns, potentially contributing to sleep-disordered breathing

When to Seek Professional Support

It’s important to consult a speech-language pathologist (SLP) or other qualified professional if you notice:

• Difficulty latching or ineffective feeding in infancy

• Persistent oral motor challenges affecting chewing or swallowing

• Signs of airway dysfunction, like chronic snoring or pauses in breathing during sleep

Early assessment and intervention can make a meaningful difference in feeding, oral health, and long-term facial growth.

At Seabird Speech Therapy

Megan Crooks, a certified myo munchee practitioner, specializes in evaluating and managing tongue tie through orofacial myofunctional therapy (OMT). Our goal is to support your child to "speak well, breathe well, eat well, grow well" —with compassionate guidance every step of the way.

If you suspect your child may have tongue tie, schedule a consultation today to explore treatment and therapy options.

👉 Schedule a Consultation or Evaluation