Is It Possible for Adults to Have a Lip or Tongue-Tie?

If you’re trying to learn more about lip and tongue-ties, you might notice something rather odd: most blogs and articles focus on diagnosing and treating children. Is it possible for adults to have a lip or tongue-tie, or should you be looking for a different cause behind your strange symptoms?

Make no mistake – adults can certainly have lip and tongue-ties, too! Keep reading to learn more.

What Are Lip and Tongue-ties?

Your lips and tongue are connected to your mouth by thin strips of tissue known as frenula. It’s normal to have them, but what’s not-so-normal is to have frenula that restrict your oral movement and function. This might happen because your frenula are too thick, or too many are “tying down” your lips or tongue.

Typically, a pediatric or family dentist would identify lip and tongue-ties during early childhood, but for one reason or another, it’s possible for this complication to go untreated and present unique challenges in adulthood.

Spotting the Signs in Adults

Adults and children have different routine behaviors and oral needs, so spotting the signs of a lip or tongue-tie in a grown individual is a bit different. For example, you might:

• Have difficulty speaking clearly.
• Find eating or drinking more challenging than your peers.
• Encounter breathing difficulties, which can include sleep apnea.
• Struggle to lick your lips, kiss your partner, or touch your upper teeth with your tongue.

Basically, if your friends and family are able to move their lips or tongue so freely that it seems strange to you, you might be restricted by a lip or tongue-tie.

Treatment for Lip and Tongue-ties

Thanks to modern technology, lip and tongue-tie treatment has never been safer and more comfortable. In the past, your dentist would have had to trim or remove your excess frenula with sharp, pointy tools. Now, they can simply point a gentle laser at the area. This makes the process much more precise, and since the laser cauterizes the treatment area, recovery times are also minimal.

If you do have a lip or tongue-tie as an adult, diagnosing and treating the issue is often quick and simple. Afterwards, you should notice a dramatic difference in your oral cavity’s range of motion. It’s well worth it to ask your dentist to check for lip and tongue-ties!

About the Author

Dr. Garcia-DeMartino is a proud member of the Academy of Laser Dentistry and the Academy of Women Dentists. She’s passionate about providing lip and tongue-tie treatments, and has taken every step possible to make sure she can remove them safely and comfortably. Basically, she’s a specialist! If you suspect you might have a lip or tongue-tie as an adult, Dr. DeMartino would be happy to examine your mouth and make sure you receive the care you need. To contact her office and schedule an appointment today, call 908-859-5260.