Although treating tongue-tie at a younger age is preferred, it doesn’t cause issues for many children, and they may carry untreated tongue-tie into adulthood. But it’s possible that tongue-tie can create problems for adults.
Below are the seven most common symptoms of tongue-tie in adults that you should be aware of.
Poor Dental Hygiene
The very first symptoms of tongue-tie in adults in bad oral health. Due to restricted tongue movement, getting rid of food and particles from teeth after a meal can feel like a daunting task. Tongue-tie can also create a space between lower front teeth. Adults having tongue-tie may experience these oral issues very often:
- Gum inflammation
- Tooth decay
- Gum disease
- Halitosis
Mouth Breathing
Tongue-tie can also affect your breathing abilities. This condition can impact the development of the upper palate, and it may not grow large enough, resulting in less space for breathing through the nose. Mouth breathing can cause dry mouth, making you more prone to cavities and gum disease.
Heart-Shaped Tongue
The formation of a heart-shaped tongue is another symptom of tongue-tie in adults. The tip of the tongue will resemble the shape of the heart for someone experiencing tongue-tie. This happens when the frenulum connected to the mouth’s bottom extends till the tongue’s tip.
Speech Issues
Having issues with pronouncing certain sounds is common in adults and people of all ages with tongue-tie. This is caused due to restricted tongue motion. A person with this condition may find it hard to pronounce the following sounds:
- “”T””
- “”D””
- “”Z””
- “”S””
- “”Th””
- “”R””
- “”L””
Impact on health
Lowered quality of life is common in adults with tongue-tie. Growing up with tongue-tie forces a person to adapt to certain aspects of life to make room for deficiencies. For example, a person may avoid eating certain foods because of their conditions. They may choose unhealthy food items over healthy ones because they are easier to chew. Adults with tongue-tie also find it difficult to kiss, lick their lips, or play a wind instrument. In the longer run, these limitations can lower life quality.
Sleep Apnea
Tongue-tie can result in sleep apnea due to immature development of the palate that can cause smaller air passage.
TMJ Dysfunction
TMJ dysfunction is another prominent symptom of tongue-tie in adults. When the tongue moves in a restricted motion, the mouth becomes habitual of this movement. Incorrect swallowing is one of the ways your mouth copes with this disability. Frequent incorrect swallowing misaligns the teeth, and the jaw grows incorrectly. Development problems with the jaw and malocclusion can imbalance the joints of the jaw, causing TMJ disorders.
Tongue-Tie Treatment in Houston, Texas
If you’re an adult with tongue-tie, we recommend scheduling an appointment with the dental experts at Vintage Smile Family Dentistry. During the examination, our dentist will diagnose the extent of your tongue tie and provide appropriate treatment.
Hit the road to better health with treatment for tongue-tie in Houston, TX. Call our office at (281) 251-7770 to book a consultation.