Is Tongue Tie Affecting Your Child's Speech? | #THEBITEANGLE EP24

Dr Bernard Siew and speech therapist Agnieszka Debowska join The Bite Angle to discuss tongue posture, tongue tie, breathing patterns and speech, and how these factors influence oral health, jaw development and everyday function across different stages of life.

About The Video

In this episode of The Bite Angle, Dr Bernard Siew speaks with speech and language therapist Agnieszka Debowska about how tongue posture, tongue mobility and breathing patterns affect oral health and facial development. They explore how tongue tie can limit natural tongue movement, influencing speech clarity, swallowing and resting posture from an early age.

The discussion also looks at how dentists and speech therapists often notice overlapping signs, such as mouth breathing, unclear speech or tension around the lips and jaw. Agnieszka explains how addressing tongue function alongside dental care can support more balanced development, highlighting why collaboration between disciplines is sometimes needed rather than treating symptoms in isolation.

This episode focuses on the connection between tongue posture, tongue tie and overall oral function. Agnieszka explains that healthy tongue posture involves the tongue resting gently against the palate, supporting proper swallowing, speech and nasal breathing. When this posture is disrupted, it can contribute to speech difficulties, mouth breathing and strain on oral muscles.

Dr Bernard discusses how tongue tie can restrict movement, making it harder for the tongue to rest correctly or move efficiently during speech and swallowing. Together, they highlight that tongue tie does not always cause obvious symptoms, which is why collaborative assessment between dental and speech professionals is important. The discussion emphasises awareness rather than trends, encouraging listeners to notice functional signs rather than self-diagnose. By understanding how tongue posture and mobility influence daily habits, the episode helps listeners recognise when professional guidance may be beneficial.