Aim

The aim of the study was to determine the co-occurrence of symptoms, diseases, and dysfunctions in patients with ankyloglossia.

Material and methods

The study was conducted among adult patients in Silesia between October and December 2024. The study covered the physical examination of 60 patients with ankyloglossia. Speech therapy tests developed by Barbara Ostapiuk were used for physical examination of the lingual frenulum, and a questionnaire developed specifically for this study was used for the subjective examination.

Results

Sixty completed questionnaires were collected from patients with ankyloglossia. Analysis of the questionnaire results distinguished: dysfunctions related to the oropharyngeal apparatus (oral cavity, speech function, swallowing), ailments, symptoms, dental conditions, internal medicine, neurological, laryngological, psychiatric conditions, and sleep complaints. Postural defects, as well as medical and therapeutic experiences in the patient’s life, were included. A significantly high incidence of the following was found in patients with ankyloglossia: tongue coating (78%), dry mouth at night (68%), difficulties in maintaining oral hygiene (68%), malocclusion (53%), tooth loss (77%), symptoms of periodontal disease (59%), bruxism (60%), heartburn (62%), gastroesophageal reflux (60%), pain in the cervical spine (77%), thoracic spine (57%) and lumbar spine (85%), feeling of excessive tension in postural muscles (75%), numbness in the upper limbs (65%) and lower limbs (50%), tingling in the upper limbs (55%), painful muscle cramps in the lower limbs at night within the mid-length of the lower legs (53%), sleep disorders (57%), restless sleep (58%), sudden awakening (52%), snoring (63%) and postural defects. (87%). A significant frequency of illnesses was observed in patients with ankyloglossia, including cardiac arrhythmias (35%), hypothyroidism (30%), upper respiratory tract infections (48%), constipation (43%), depression (30%), and migraines (33%).

Conclusions

Over 50% of the participants reported: a coated tongue and dry mouth, difficulty maintaining oral hygiene, malocclusion, tooth cavities, symptoms of periodontal disease, bruxism, heartburn, gastroesophageal reflux, pain in the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine, a feeling of excessive postural muscle tension, numbness in the upper and lower limbs, tingling in the upper limbs, painful muscle spasms in the lower limbs at night in the mid-length of the lower leg, sleep disturbances or restless sleep, sudden awakening, snoring, and postural defects. Further multidisciplinary research is necessary to determine the likely associations of ankyloglossia with other conditions.