Tongue and Lip Ties

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Understanding

Tongue and Lip Ties

Tongue and lip ties are conditions that can affect infants, children, and even adults. A tongue tie (ankyloglossia) occurs when the band of tissue (frenulum) beneath the tongue is too tight or short, restricting movement. A lip tie involves a similar restriction with the upper lip. They can impact breastfeeding, speech development, solid food feeding, sleep issues, oral hygiene, and overall quality of life.

Why Tongue and Lip Ties Matter

Breastfeeding Difficulties:

Babies with tongue or lip ties may struggle to latch properly, leading to feeding issues for both the infant and the mother. Common signs include: painful/shallow latch, poor weight gain, excessive sleepiness at the breast, chomping at the nipple, clicking sounds, poor milk supply, or recurrent clogged ducts/mastitis/thrush.

Bottle Feeding Difficulties:

Some babies with tongue or tip ties have trouble establishing proper suction on a bottle. This can result in increased intake of air causing gas and/or reflux, abnormal amounts of milk dribbling out of baby’s mouth, frustration with feeding, and more.

Speech Challenges:

A restricted tongue can sometimes hinder articulation, impacting speech development.

Dental Concerns:

Ties can cause gaps between teeth, misalignment, jaw discrepancies and other dental issues as children grow.

Oral Hygiene:

Limited tongue mobility can make it difficult for children to clean their mouths effectively, increasing the risk of cavities. A low, tight lip frenulum can make it more difficult to clean the top teeth, leading to higher risk of cavities.

Sleep Issues:

Some people with tongue ties can experience sleep issues such as sleep apnea, snoring, restricted airway and open mouth posture.

The Release Procedure

At Red Mountain Pediatric Dentistry, we perform tongue and lip tie releases using a safe and effective procedure with a CO2 laser. Here’s what to expect:

Initial Consultation

A thorough examination by Dr. Dean to assess the severity of the tie and its impact on function

Discussion of your child’s symptoms and any feeding, speech, sleep or other concerns
Review of the procedure and what to expect in recovery
Referral to appropriate therapists if your child is not already in active therapy (such such as lactation support, OT, PT, speech therapy, feeding therapy, etc)
Review of insurance coverage and expected cost

The Release

The procedure is quick, typically lasting only a few minutes
Dr. Dean uses a CO2 laser to release the tongue and/or lip
There is minimal to no bleeding. On babies, sutures are not typically indicated
We encourage babies to nurse or take a bottle directly after the procedure

Post-Procedure Care

We provide detailed instructions for at-home care to promote healing
A one week follow-up with Dr. Dean is required to assess healing and improvement of symptoms

Benefits of the Release

Releasing a tongue or lip tie can lead to:

Improved breastfeeding and feeding experiences
Enhanced speech development
Better oral hygiene practices
Increased comfort for your child during eating and speaking

In order for a release to be as successful as possible, appropriate therapy before and after release are required. Dr. Dean will provide a referral to a therapist specific to the issues your child is experiencing, if needed.

Our Commitment to Your Child’s Care

At Red Mountain Pediatric Dentistry, we prioritize your child’s comfort and well-being. Our team is dedicated to providing compassionate care and support throughout the entire process, from consultation to recovery.

Schedule a Consultation Today!

If you suspect your child may have a tongue or lip tie, don’t hesitate to reach out. Contact us at 205-434-2781 to schedule a consultation.