Ankyloglossia: misinformation vs. evidence regarding its effects on feeding, speech, and other functions

Ankyloglossia, commonly, known as “tongue-tie,” is a congenital condition where a short, and often thickened lingual frenulum attaches the anterior tongue tip to the floor of the mouth. As a result of this “tie,” there is a restriction of tongue-tip movement. While ankyloglossia is sometimes associated with difficulties in breastfeeding newborns, the impact on speech production remains a topic of serious debate among professionals. The purpose of this article is to examine the current evidence regarding the effect of ankyloglossia on structure and function, particularly the effect on neonatal feeding and speech. Hopefully, this evidence will inform the practice of otolaryngologists, speech-language pathologists, and other relevant professionals for the benefit of affected children.