Tongue tie in children: function first
1 September 2026 · 4 min read
Not every tight frenulum needs releasing. What matters is what the tongue can actually do.
What a tongue tie is
A tongue tie (ankyloglossia) is a short or tight band of tissue under the tongue that restricts movement. It can limit the tongue's ability to lift to the palate — the position that shapes the upper jaw.
Beyond feeding difficulties
In older children a restricted tongue can contribute to a narrow palate, mouth breathing, speech difficulties, messy eating and neck or jaw tension, even when infant feeding went well.
Assessment and release
We assess function — lift, range, swallow and speech — not appearance alone. When release is indicated, it works best combined with myofunctional therapy before and after, so the tongue learns to use its new freedom.
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