Overview

Tongue-tie Open pop-up dialog box Close Tongue-tie Tongue-tie Tongue-tie (ankyloglossia) is a condition in which an unusually short, thick or tight band of tissue (lingual frenulum) tethers the bottom of the tongue's tip to the floor of the mouth. If necessary, tongue-tie can be treated with a surgical cut to release the frenulum (frenotomy). If additional repair is needed or the lingual frenulum is too thick for a frenotomy, a more extensive procedure known as a frenuloplasty might be an option.

Tongue-tie (ankyloglossia) is a condition present at birth that restricts the tongue's range of motion.

With tongue-tie, an unusually short, thick or tight band of tissue (lingual frenulum) tethers the bottom of the tongue's tip to the floor of the mouth, so it may interfere with breast-feeding. Someone who has tongue-tie might have difficulty sticking out his or her tongue. Tongue-tie can also affect the way a child eats, speaks and swallows.

Sometimes tongue-tie may not cause problems. Some cases may require a simple surgical procedure for correction.

Symptoms

Signs and symptoms of tongue-tie include:

Difficulty lifting the tongue to the upper teeth or moving the tongue from side to side

Trouble sticking out the tongue past the lower front teeth

A tongue that appears notched or heart shaped when stuck out

When to see a doctor

See a doctor if:

Your baby has signs of tongue-tie that cause problems, such as having trouble breast-feeding

A speech-language pathologist thinks your child's speech is affected by tongue-tie

Your older child complains of tongue problems that interfere with eating, speaking or reaching the back teeth

You're bothered by your own symptoms of tongue-tie

Causes

Typically, the lingual frenulum separates before birth, allowing the tongue free range of motion. With tongue-tie, the lingual frenulum remains attached to the bottom of the tongue. Why this happens is largely unknown, although some cases of tongue-tie have been associated with certain genetic factors.

Risk factors

Although tongue-tie can affect anyone, it's more common in boys than girls. Tongue-tie sometimes runs in families.

Complications

Tongue-tie can affect a baby's oral development, as well as the way he or she eats, speaks and swallows.

For example, tongue-tie can lead to: