TOTS stands for Tethered Oral Tissues. TOTS is the collective term for tongue, lip, and cheek ties. It describes a congenital condition in which the bands of tissues that connect these oral structures to the rest of the mouth are keeping them from moving and functioning normally. This condition negatively impacts the vagal nerves which control your parasympathetic nervous system. This explains why TOTS can cause a wide range of symptoms throughout your body for the duration of your life.