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PENINSULA TONGUE TIE
Teens & Adults
Screening Tips
Our expert team treats a range of oral ties, including tongue, lip, and buccal ties, to improve feeding, speech, and overall oral health.
Scheduling is handled through Chompers Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics — we're proud to be part of the same trusted care team.
Screening Steps for Tongue, Lip & Buccal Ties
Could an Oral Tie Be Affecting Your Quality of Life?
In teens and adults, the signs of a tongue, lip, or buccal tie may not be obvious — but they can still affect daily comfort and function. Many individuals compensate for limited mobility for years without realizing that oral restrictions may be the root cause of issues they’ve adapted to.
Common Symptoms to Watch For:
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Frequent jaw, neck, or facial tension
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Clicking or discomfort in the jaw during speech or chewing
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Difficulty speaking for long periods or public speaking fatigue
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Slurred, mumbled, or effortful speech
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Snoring, mouth breathing, or restless sleep
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Headaches or migraines linked to oral or jaw strain
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Chronic orthodontic relapse despite retainers
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Struggles with flossing or keeping certain areas clean
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A lifelong lisp or speech concern that never fully resolved
Why It Matters
Many teens and adults experience lasting relief after a frenectomy when oral ties are contributing to tension, sleep issues, or speech concerns. A thorough assessment can help determine if a restricted lingual, labial, or buccal frenum is playing a role — even if those challenges have been present for years.
Tongue Ties
Visual Inspection for Tongue Tie
During a self-check or clinical evaluation, look at how the tongue moves and rests in the mouth. A tongue tie in older patients may present as a visible string of tissue pulling under the tongue, a notched or heart-shaped tongue tip when extended, or difficulty lifting the tongue toward the roof of the mouth.
Other signs may include limited mobility when trying to move the tongue side to side or forward past the lips — especially if it feels tight or causes tension in the jaw or neck. These restrictions can contribute to speech fatigue, muscle strain, and even sleep disturbances over time.
Other Screening Tips
Medical History:
Reviewing your teen’s or your own medical history can provide helpful context. Past concerns with speech clarity, orthodontic relapse, TMJ discomfort, or ongoing dental hygiene challenges might point toward an undiagnosed tongue or lip tie. Sharing this background can guide a more focused evaluation and treatment plan.
Feeding or Speech Evaluation:
In teens and adults, oral restrictions may show up as difficulty chewing, swallowing, or speaking clearly — especially over long periods. You may notice speech that sounds mumbled or effortful, trouble pronouncing certain sounds, or jaw fatigue after talking or eating. A detailed evaluation can help determine whether a tongue, lip, or buccal tie is contributing to these challenges and whether treatment might provide relief.
Functional Assessment:
A thorough functional exam evaluates how freely the tongue and lips move. This may include checking if the tongue can touch the roof of the mouth, extend beyond the lips, move side to side, or if the upper lip can lift easily without strain. Any tightness, restriction, or compensation (like head or jaw movement) can point to an oral tie that may benefit from treatment.
What is a typical treatment plan for Teens and Adults after being evaluated?
1. Reach out to a myofunctional therapist: Myofunctional therapy involves working with a professional who can assist in preparing the tongue muscles for a release. This can be done through in-person sessions or teletherapy. The therapist helps to promote proper tongue and lip posture, nasal breathing, and correct swallowing techniques. Addressing these habits and compensations is crucial for long-term progress.
2. Tongue tie or lip tie release with a CO2 laser: The recommended procedure for teens & adults is a frenectomy using a state-of-the-art CO2 laser. This surgery removes the tongue tie or lip tie restriction and sutures it with dissolvable stitches. Compared to a simple clip or snip with scissors, using a CO2 laser for this procedure allows for a more comprehensive removal of connective tissue or fascia fibers that hinder normal mobility.
3. Local anesthetic and recovery: The tongue or lip tie release procedure is typically performed using a local anesthetic, without the need for sedation. While the procedure itself is virtually painless, some soreness can be expected for a couple of days afterward. Over-the-counter pain relievers like Advil and Tylenol can help manage discomfort. Many adults experience improvements within the first few days, such as reduced neck tension and improved sleep quality.
4. Collaboration with a myofunctional therapist: It is emphasized that the best results are achieved by combining the tongue or lip tie release procedure with the guidance of a myofunctional therapist. This collaboration ensures that the underlying habits and compensations are addressed and corrected, enhancing the overall outcome of the treatment.