‘Tongue tie’ is a term used when the lingual frenum (cord that stretches from under the tongue to the floor of the mouth) is short and restricts the mobility of the tongue.
For infants, this restriction can make it difficult to correctly latch when breastfeeding and can also cause pain for the mother. For older children, tongue tie can cause speech impediments and difficulty chewing, swallowing, and other aspects of oral function. Tongue tie can also contribute to habitual mouth breathing and underdeveloped jaws which can lead to smaller or obstructed airways that are common for sleep-related breathing disorders including obstructive sleep apnea.