Ties of the tongue, lip, or cheek that restrict normal movement are called tethered oral tissue (TOT). When a TOT is present, it means the connecting tissue — frenulum — is too short and/or thick to allow optimal movement. TOTs are present from birth but may be undiagnosed or mistakenly considered a normal genetic trait. They can create problems with infant latching, infant weight gain, excessive drooling, gaps between teeth, difficulty chewing and swallowing, speech impediment, mouth-breathing, snoring, teeth grinding, sleep apnea, and more. Our myofunctional therapists help patients of all ages recognize and treat TOTs.
