Addressing Speech Issues Related to Tongue-Tie

A tongue-tie, also referred to as ankyloglossia, occurs when the bottom of the tongue is tightly connected to the floor of the mouth. The tongue is connected by a band of tissue called the lingual frenum. In cases of tongue ties, the lingual frenum is so strong and tight that it inhibits the movement of the tongue, in some cases interfering with speech production. 

Tongue ties are relatively common and are sometimes corrected surgically in babies and young children, especially when the condition is affecting their ability to feed. In other situations, parents and healthcare providers choose a “wait and see” approach to tongue ties before deciding on a method of treatment. 

If your child has a tongue tie, it is important to consult with your doctor, as well as a speech and language pathologist, to determine the severity of the tongue tie and the likelihood of speech problems developing or worsening down the road. It can be difficult to identify how speech skills will be impacted by a tongue tie over time, so consulting with professionals is highly important. 

Speech therapy can help individuals with a tongue tie improve their speech production and communicate with ease and confidence. If you want to learn more about how working with a speech and language pathologist could benefit you or your child, schedule your free introductory call today!

Can a Tongue-Tie Cause Speech Problems? 

Speech problems can arise when the tongue is not adequately separated from the bottom of the mouth, causing limited movement and dexterity. Some of the most common speech challenges related to tongue-tie include: 

Articulation Challenges: A tongue tie can make it difficult to produce common speech sounds (such as ‘l’, ‘r’, ‘th’, ‘s’, ‘z’, ‘d’, ‘t’, and ‘n’.) The restricted movement of the tongue makes it difficult to produce sounds that require the tongue to contact the upper teeth or roof of the mouth, resulting in distorted or unclear speech. 

Compensatory Articulation: Some individuals with a tongue tie create ineffective and abnormal compensatory behaviors to compensate for their limited lingual range. For example, an individual who struggles to produce an “L” sound may attempt to make the sound with a different tongue position, resulting in a “g” or “k” sound instead. They may say “gight” instead of “light” or omit the first sound altogether and only say “ight.”

Fluency Challenges: Many individuals with tongue ties struggle to produce fluent speech due to the sheer effort required to properly articulate specific sounds. They may speak with frequent hesitations or stuttering, especially in younger children who are working to develop strong speech and language abilities.

Delayed Speech Development: Some children with a tongue tie experience delayed speech development due to difficulty producing certain speech sounds correctly. 

What are the Interventions for Tongue-Tie?

Some people have no difficulties relating to their tongue ties and subsequently don’t require any interventions or treatment. As children grow and develop, the frenum typically stretches and expands, often resolving any related problems. In some cases, surgical interventions are required, and two procedures are commonly used:  

Frenotomy or Frenulectomy: During these procedures, the doctor creates a small incision in the frenum to lengthen the tissue and allow for a larger range of movement for the tongue. This type of procedure is typically very quick but can cause some pain when it occurs. Depending on the age of the individual, local anesthesia may or may not be necessary. 

Frenuloplasty: This procedure is usually chosen for older children or adults whose frenum is too thick for a more simple Frenotomy. Frenuloplasty is done under anesthesia, and the doctor will surgically divide and lengthen the frenum to free the tongue and allow more movement. 

Does Anyone with a Tongue Tie Always Need Speech Therapy?

While not everyone with a tongue tie experiences speech challenges, many tongue tie cases require speech therapy. Whether surgical interventions are needed or not, most children benefit from working closely with a speech and language pathologist. 

Tongue ties affect speech production skills differently, and the severity of the impact on communication typically varies from case to case. It is common for children with tongue ties to develop alternative methods of producing speech and articulating certain sounds; however, this isn’t always possible, especially when tackling sounds such as ‘t’, ‘r’, and ‘l.’

This is why the speech therapy evaluation process is such a crucial step in identifying specific speech challenges and working to overcome them. Get started with virtual speech therapy through Great Speech by scheduling your free introductory call today! 

What is the Role of a Speech Therapist in Tongue-Tie?

The role of a speech therapist in addressing tongue-tie in individuals is essential, especially when speech fluency and articulation are affected. Speech therapy for tongue ties begins with an evaluation of speech abilities and identification of specific sounds or speech patterns that should be addressed during therapy. They may also do a visual examination of the tongue and its current range of movement. The speech therapist may also consult with other professionals to advise whether surgical intervention is necessary and determine the ideal timing for the procedure when needed. 

From there, the speech therapist will develop a customized treatment plan to address the particular needs and goals identified during the initial assessment. This treatment plan will include regular speech therapy appointments that include exercises, techniques, and strategies to improve the mobility of the tongue and compensate for limited movement when necessary. 

The goal of speech therapy for tongue tie is to improve articulation, produce clearer speech, improve speech fluency, and generally equip the individual with the necessary tools and methods to communicate effectively. 

Speech therapists also play a role in post-surgery rehabilitation and support. Following a tongue tie release procedure, the speech and language pathologist will include exercises to foster tongue mobility and refine articulation. 

Overall, speech therapy is an integral part of managing speech problems related to tongue tie by providing essential support and guidance to improve speech clarity and fluency and facilitate effective communication. 

If you think you or someone close to you might benefit from working with one of our incredible speech therapists, getting started is as easy as scheduling your free introductory call today!