Tongue-Ties and Airway Problems: What Parents Need to Know Before Age 5

A tongue-tie (ankyloglossia) is a short or tight band of tissue connecting the tongue to the floor of the mouth. Many parents first hear about it during infant feeding struggles, but a tongue-tie that goes unaddressed doesn’t just affect breastfeeding — it can shape how a child’s palate, bite, and airway develop over the following years.

The tongue is supposed to rest against the roof of the mouth. That constant, gentle pressure is one of the main forces that widens the palate as a child grows. A tongue restricted by a tie often can’t reach the palate properly, so it rests low in the mouth instead. Over time, that changes the shape of the growth: the palate narrows and rises into a higher vault, there’s less room for permanent teeth, and the nasal airway — which sits directly above the palate — ends up smaller too.

Signs a tongue-tie may be affecting airway or oral development:

• Difficulty with early breastfeeding or bottle feeding
• Picky eating or gagging on textured foods
• A noticeably narrow or high-arched palate
• Mouth breathing or snoring
• Speech sounds that are hard to articulate (especially “l,” “r,” “t,” “d,” “s,” “z”)
• Tongue thrust when swallowing

Not every tongue-tie needs to be released, and not every case needs urgent treatment — this is a nuanced decision that depends on function, not just appearance. At Life Orthodontics & Pediatric Dentistry, Dr. Paulsen evaluates tongue mobility and function as part of pediatric dental exams, and when a release (frenectomy) is appropriate, we coordinate with myofunctional therapy afterward. The release alone rarely retrains the tongue’s habits — therapy is what teaches the tongue new patterns once it’s free to move.

The years before age 5 matter because that’s when the palate is most responsive to these forces. If your child has feeding difficulties, speech delays, or signs of a restricted tongue, don’t wait for a kindergarten screening to catch it. Schedule an evaluation with our Colorado Springs team and we’ll assess whether a tongue-tie is part of the picture.