Does Tongue-Tie Affect Speech? FAQs Answered for Parents!

A tongue tie can have an impact on speech, especially if it restricts the tongue’s motion to the point where some sounds are difficult to pronounce. While some cases are mild and cause no problems, others can lead to noticeable speech issues, feeding challenges, or even social discomfort if left untreated.

Tongue-tie is more common than most people realize, yet it often goes undiagnosed until it starts to impact daily life. 

What Actually Is a Tongue-Tie?

When the lingual frenulum, which is the tiny strip of tissue that joins the bottom of the tongue to the floor of the mouth, is too short, thick, or taut, it can cause tongue-tie. It is often referred to medically as ankyloglossia. This condition limits how freely the tongue can move, especially upwards or outwards.

This limitation becomes a problem because proper tongue mobility is essential for speech, feeding, and even oral hygiene. If the tongue can’t move as needed, it may not be able to form certain sounds correctly, and that’s where speech delays or issues begin to show.

How Tongue-Tie Affects Speech in Children?

Children who have tongue-tie may exhibit delayed speech development or struggle with specific sounds that need the tongue to press against their teeth or reach the top of their mouth. For instance:

• Sounds like “t,” “d,” “n,” “l,” “r,” “s,” and “z” frequently become challenging.
• Some children substitute these with easier sounds or develop a lisp
• Others may avoid speaking as much, feeling frustrated or self-conscious

A restricted tongue can also affect how fast a child speaks or how clearly they express themselves. This is more than just a speech concern as it can impact their confidence, learning, and social development.

A 5-year-old might say “yight” instead of “light” or avoid saying words that start with “s” altogether. The parents might think it’s just a quirk, but over time it becomes clear the child is struggling with more than just pronunciation.

Does Tongue-Tie Affect Speech in Adults?

Although most people associate tongue-tie with babies or children, adults can also suffer from untreated tongue-tie. In fact, some adults don’t realize they have the condition until much later.

Here’s how it may show up in adulthood:

• Chronic speech difficulties, especially with public speaking
• Fatigue or strain while speaking for long periods
• Struggles with articulation that affect professional or personal communication
• Jaw tension or neck pain from overcompensating for limited tongue movement

Many adults with mild cases have learned to adapt, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t affecting their life. For those in customer-facing roles, teaching, or public speaking, the impact is even greater.

What Happens If Tongue-Tie Is Not Treated?

If anyone ignores a tongue tie, hoping it will get better on its own, it may lead to:

• Long-term speech challenges
• Feeding difficulties in infants and children
• Dental problems such as misaligned teeth or poor oral hygiene
• Psychological effects like low self-esteem or social withdrawal

Untreated tongue-tie doesn’t always “stretch out” on its own. In fact, the frenulum is made of connective tissue, which isn’t very elastic. If the restriction is severe, treatment is usually necessary.

Risks or Disadvantages of Tongue-Tie Surgery

The surgical procedure to release tongue-tie is called a frenotomy (or frenectomy/frenuloplasty for more complex cases). It’s a minor procedure, often done in-office for infants and under local anesthesia for older children or adults.

Although it’s normally safe, keep the following points in mind:

• Mild discomfort for 1–2 days post-surgery
• Risk of reattachment if post-op care isn’t followed
• Slight bleeding or swelling, although this is rare
• Possible need for follow-up therapy if speech patterns were long established

The good news is that most patients show immediate improvements, especially in tongue mobility. Babies often breastfeed more efficiently right after the procedure.

What’s the Best Age to Treat Tongue-Tie?

There is no universal age limit for treating tongue tie. However, the sooner it is identified and treated, the better, particularly when it comes to speech and feeding.

• Infants may benefit from treatment within the first few months if feeding is affected
• Toddlers and young children may be treated once speech issues are confirmed
• Adults can undergo surgery if the condition still impacts their speech, comfort, or career

Can You Fix Tongue-Tie Naturally?

Some parents wonder if tongue-tie can be corrected without surgery. For very mild cases, speech therapy or tongue-stretching exercises may help improve function. But in moderate to severe cases, natural methods are often not enough.

Delaying necessary treatment in hopes of natural correction may cause more harm than good, especially during crucial developmental stages.

Speech Therapy Exercises for Tongue-Tie

For children (and even adults) who have been diagnosed with tongue-tie or are recovering from surgery, speech therapy can be a helpful part of treatment. Some exercises include:

• Tongue tip touches to raising the tip to the top of the mouth repeatedly
• Lateral movement drills by moving the tongue side to side across the lips
• Clicking sounds by making suction clicks to build coordination
• Food-based play by licking peanut butter from a spoon to build strength and range

Always consult a certified speech-language pathologist who understands how to understand these for your child’s case.

Is Tongue-Tie Genetic?

Yes, research suggests that tongue-tie may be genetically inherited. If one or both parents had it as children, there’s a higher chance their child will too. It appears to be more common in boys and can sometimes be associated with other oral or developmental conditions.

Early screening in infants is even more crucial because of this genetic relationship, particularly if there is a family history.

Tongue-Tie vs Normal Tongue: What’s the Visual Difference?

Here’s how you might recognize the difference:

• In a normal tongue, the frenulum is thin, stretchy, and allows full tongue movement
• In a tongue-tied tongue, the frenulum is tight, thick, and limits elevation or extension

A common sign is the heart-shaped tip when a child tries to stick out their tongue. Pediatric dentists or feeding specialists can easily detect it during a visual exam.

Baby Tongue-Tie vs Normal: Key Signs

Babies with tongue-tie often show:

• Difficulty latching
• Clicking sounds during nursing
• Prolonged feeding times
• Excessive gas or fussiness
• Poor weight gain

In contrast, a baby with a normal tongue typically feeds quietly, latches easily, and gains weight consistently.

Ready for an Evaluation?

If you think your child, or even you, might be affected by tongue-tie, the best first step is a professional evaluation. Early diagnosis leads to faster, simpler treatment and a better long-term outcome.

Get expert help today. Check out PVPD’s Tongue-Tie Services to schedule a consultation with specialists who understand both the dental and speech sides of this condition. 

People Also Ask

What age does tongue-tie affect speech?

Most noticeable effects begin around age two or three when children start stringing together full words and sentences. However, earlier feeding difficulties may signal an issue even in infancy.

What does tongue-tie speech sound like?

It may sound slurred, unclear, or missing key sounds. Children might substitute or avoid sounds they find hard to pronounce, like “r,” “s,” or “th.”

What happens if you don’t fix tongue-tie?

Long-term speech, feeding, and social issues may occur. It can also lead to dental and oral hygiene problems over time due to restricted tongue movement.

Do speech therapists check for tongue-tie?

Yes. While speech-language pathologists don’t perform surgeries, many are trained to identify signs of tongue-tie and refer patients to the right medical professionals.