Living with an untreated tongue tie affects far more than just the ability to stick out your tongue. This restricted tissue beneath the tongue can lead to multiple health problems that impact speech, eating, sleeping, and even social confidence throughout life. At Flourish Tongue Tie Center in Erie, CO, Dr. Namrata Hardy addresses tongue ties (ankyloglossia) using advanced CO2 cold laser technology—a gentle approach that minimizes discomfort while maximizing results.
As a Board-Certified Pediatric Dentist and Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry, Dr. Hardy brings extensive clinical knowledge and genuine compassion to every patient interaction. Her comprehensive approach addresses not just the immediate concerns but the long-term impact of oral restrictions, helping patients of all ages achieve better function and improved quality of life.
How an Untreated Tie Affect the Adults
When a tongue tie goes unaddressed in childhood, the effects often persist and sometimes worsen in adulthood. Restricted tongue movement continues to impact daily functions many take for granted. Adults with untreated ankyloglossia frequently experience difficulty swallowing certain foods, particularly those requiring significant tongue manipulation.
The limited tongue mobility can lead to poor oral hygiene as properly cleaning all surfaces of the teeth becomes challenging. This restriction often results in increased dental problems, including decay and gum disease, as food particles remain trapped in areas the tongue cannot reach effectively.
Speech Difficulties That Persist
One of the most noticeable long-term effects of an untreated tongue tie involves speech articulation problems. The restricted tongue movement makes pronouncing certain consonants particularly challenging, especially sounds that require the tongue to touch the roof of the mouth, like “t,” “d,” “n,” and “l.”
These persistent speech impediments can significantly impact social interactions and professional opportunities. Many adults with an untreated tongue tie report feeling self-conscious during conversations or avoiding public speaking situations altogether. What begins as a physical limitation often develops into emotional and social challenges that affect overall quality of life.
Impact on Oral Development and Structure
A untreated tongue tie doesn’t merely affect function—it can actually alter oral development over time. The abnormal tongue position and restricted movement can lead to significant dental development issues.
The natural resting position of the tongue should be against the roof of the mouth, which helps shape the palate and dental arch. When a tongue tie prevents this positioning, it often results in a narrowed palate, crowded teeth, and malocclusion (improper bite alignment). These structural changes frequently necessitate extensive orthodontic treatment later in life.
Connection to Breathing and Sleep Issues
The relationship between tongue ties and breathing patterns represents one of the most concerning long-term effects. Chronic mouth breathing commonly develops in individuals with untreated ankyloglossia, as the tongue’s inability to properly rest against the palate makes nasal breathing more difficult.
This altered breathing pattern can contribute to several significant health issues, including increased risk of sleep apnea, chronic fatigue, and insufficient oxygen intake. The connection between untreated tongue ties and sleep-disordered breathing highlights why proper assessment and early intervention are so crucial for long-term health.
TMJ Disorders and Chronic Pain
The jaw develops compensatory mechanisms when the tongue cannot function properly, often leading to temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders. Adults with untreated tongue ties frequently experience jaw tension, facial pain, headaches, and clicking or popping sounds when opening their mouth.
These compensatory patterns develop gradually over the years and can become deeply ingrained. The resulting chronic pain conditions often prompt individuals to seek treatment from multiple specialists before the underlying tongue tie is identified as a contributing factor.
Feeding and Digestive Complications
While feeding difficulties are commonly recognized in infants with a tongue tie, these issues can persist throughout life in different forms. Adults with untreated ankyloglossia may experience:
The restricted tongue movement can affect the ability to properly manage food in the mouth, potentially leading to choking hazards or avoidance of certain food textures. Additionally, inadequate chewing and difficulty forming a proper food bolus may contribute to digestive issues, as the mechanical breakdown of food is an essential first step in proper digestion.
Tongue Tie Treatment Options for Adults
Despite these challenges, effective treatment options exist for adults with an untreated tongue tie. At Flourish Tongue Tie Center, Dr. Hardy specializes in performing frenectomy procedures using advanced CO2 cold laser technology—a minimally invasive approach that significantly reduces discomfort and healing time compared to traditional surgical methods.
For adults, the tongue tie release procedure typically takes only seconds to complete, with minimal bleeding and discomfort. While infants can immediately begin nursing after the procedure, adults may need to engage in specific exercises to retrain the tongue muscles and maximize the benefits of increased mobility.
Comprehensive Tongue Tie Assessment
Before recommending treatment, Dr. Hardy conducts thorough evaluations to assess tongue mobility and function. This comprehensive tongue tie assessment examines not just the appearance of the lingual frenum but its impact on oral function, speech articulation, swallowing dynamics, and breathing patterns.
The evaluation process helps determine the specific type of tongue tie present—anterior (more visible at the front) or posterior (located deeper under the tongue)—and guides personalized treatment recommendations. This thorough approach ensures the most appropriate intervention for each individual’s unique situation.
Contact Dr. Hardy for Tongue Tie Treatment in Erie, CO
IIf you or your child have been struggling with the effects of an untreated tongue tie, specialized care is available right here in Erie. At Flourish Tongue Tie Center, we provide comprehensive assessment and treatment of tethered oral tissues for patients of all ages. Our advanced CO2 cold laser technology ensures minimal discomfort and maximum effectiveness.
Contact us today at 720-251-4444 or through our online contact form to schedule a consultation and take the first step toward improved oral function and overall well-being.
FAQ for Frenectomy
Is a Frenectomy painful for babies?
The frenulum, a thin membrane with few nerves, makes the procedure relatively painless. It requires no anesthesia and takes seconds to perform. Traditionally done with scissors, it can now be performed with a dental laser, minimizing blood loss and infection risk.
What is a good age to get a Frenectomy done?
A frenectomy can be done at any age, including infancy for tongue tie issues affecting breastfeeding or bottle-feeding.
How long does it take to recover from Frenectomy?
With laser frenectomy, infants can usually feed immediately with improved latching. Mild discomfort and minimal swelling may occur in the first 24 hours, and stretching exercises are advised for four weeks to prevent reattachment.
How do you stop bleeding after Frenectomy?
Laser frenectomies are often bloodless as the laser cauterizes the wound. Some spotting may occur, but generally, there is no significant bleeding.
Do Tongue Ties Affect speech?
While a tongue tie doesn't cause speech delays, it may impact pronunciation or articulation due to restricted tongue movement.
How long does a lip tie take to heal?
After a laser lip tie correction, infants may experience minor discomfort, with full healing taking a couple of weeks. Stretching exercises are crucial during this period to prevent reattachment.
How long does a tongue tie cut take to heal?
After a laser tongue tie correction, infants can usually nurse immediately, with complete healing in 2 to 4 weeks. Stretching exercises are necessary to avoid reattachment.
How common is it for tongue tie to reattach?
Proper aftercare, including recommended exercises, reduces the commonality of reattachment after a tongue tie correction.
Is a Frenectomy covered by insurance?
Infant frenectomies are often covered as medically necessary, addressing ankyloglossia, a condition impacting children and usually covered by dental and medical insurances.
Find Our Tongue Tie Center Near You
We are near to . Flourish Tongue Tie Center for frenectomy surgery is located at Village Visa Dr crossing near Mountain View Blvd in Erie, CO. Nearest cross streets are E Baseline Rd and CO-7, next to CitiBank ATM.
Driving Directions from to .
