Tongue and Lip Ties

A tongue tie (ankyloglossia) develops when the lingual frenulum – a ligament under the tongue – is restricted and movement becomes limited. Similarly, a lip tie is identified when the labial frenulum – the ligament attaching the upper lip to the gums – is tight. Both can hinder feeding, speech, oral hygiene, and affect growth and development over time.

Why It’s Important To Screen for Tongue & Lip Ties at Every Age

An untreated tongue or lip tie can cause frustrating challenges in the short term and create long term consequences over time. Difficulty breastfeeding in infants, speech difficulties in young children, and eating challenges are common symptoms of restricted oral tissues.

As a child grows, the restriction can hinder proper airway development, leading to mouth breathing and sleep issues. Over time, an underdeveloped airway combined with compromised orofacial muscle function can inhibit jaw development and facial growth.

Recognizing the Signs: A Guide for Parents

Early detection of tongue and lip ties helps alleviate immediate symptoms and avoid potential health challenges down the road. Here’s what parents should watch for in infants and children:

For Infants:

Challenges with breastfeeding
Noticeable weight issues
Signs of feeding distress
Mothers may experience painful nursing
Increased risk of mastitis or blocked ducts for mothers
Potential for reduced milk supply

For Children:

Speech clarity concerns
Eating difficulties
Habitual mouth breathing or snoring
Increased dental issues, like cavities, crowding or misalignment
ADD/ADHD – like symptoms
Poor performance in school
Sleep disturbances, snoring or loud breathing during sleep
Difficulty with oral hygiene routines
Challenges transitioning to solid foods

A Comprehensive, Team-Driven Treatment Strategy

For tongue and lip tie treatment, we collaborate with pediatricians, lactation consultants, ENT’s, myofunctional therapists, speech therapists and adjunct professionals. The goal of our multidisciplinary approach is to provide a well rounded care plan that supports your child’s growth and development from all angles.

Treatment Objectives:

We have two goals.

First, to release oral restrictions so your child can enjoy natural functions—feeding, eating, speaking, breathing, sleeping—without effort.

Second, to create a structural and muscular environment that encourages habitual nasal breathing, allowing your child to grow and develop to their full potential.

Getting Ready for a Tongue Tie Release

Here are the steps we take to develop a personalized care strategy for every patient.

Comprehensive Health Evaluation: This initial step involves a thorough examination of your child’s health. We focus on oral development, areas of restricted tissue, and functional challenges.

Myofunctional Assessment: A more targeted evaluation to gauge tongue mobility, strength, and function. This assessment helps us create a treatment plan specific to your child’s unique needs.

Parental Consultation: Sharing our findings, understanding your concerns, and aligning with you on health goals for your child. This conversation is where we give you the information you need to make decisions that feel right for you, your child and your family.

Pre-Procedure Guidance: To ensure you and your child are fully prepared for the procedure, we’ll provide you with detailed preparation instructions for the procedure, including a review of any recommended pre-treatment exercises or routines from the myofunctional therapist.

Collaboration with Specialists: This collaboration is tailored to your child’s unique conditions and needs. For instance, a child struggling with breastfeeding due to a tongue tie might benefit from the expertise of a lactation consultant. Our network can include pediatricians for comprehensive health reviews or speech therapists for children exhibiting speech delays.

Educational Resources: We offer a variety of resources, including online materials, printed guides, and more, to ensure you have a thorough understanding of the procedure, its advantages, and the recovery process.

Emotional Support: We’re here for support and reassurance. We understand what you’re going through and we want you to feel supported every step of the way.

Customized Care Plan: Your child will have a personalized treatment plan that addresses their distinct needs.

The Tongue and Lip Tie Release Procedure: Precision and Care

In addressing tongue and lip ties, Bridger Children’s Dentistry commits to the most advanced and gentle techniques:

Aiming for Functional Improvement

The goal of the procedure is to enhance your child’s oral functions—feeding, speaking, breathing, and sleeping—by releasing restricted oral tissue.

Ease & Comfort with State-of-the-Art Laser Technology

We use cutting-edge laser technology for precision and minimal invasiveness during the procedure. The laser quickens the process, reduces the need for stitches, and facilitates a smoother recovery.

Immediate Post-
Procedure Care

Right after the procedure, we provide care and instructions for home care, including exercises to encourage healing. The procedure is remarkably quick, allowing us to return your baby to your arms for immediate nursing, supporting both comfort and bonding.

Our dedicated approach ensures a supportive and understanding environment, focusing on the health and comfort of your child every step of the way.

Myofunctional Therapy: Creating A Foundation for Best Results

By addressing the root causes of oral dysfunction and working to correct them, myofunctional therapy not only supports the immediate success of tongue and lip tie releases but also contributes to the long-term well-being and development of your child.

Before Surgery: Building Strength & Coordination

Before the procedure, the goals of myofunctional therapy are to:

Enhancing Oral Muscle Tone: Strengthening the muscles in and around the mouth to improve functionality.
Prepare for a Successful Procedure: Ensuring the oral environment is optimized for the upcoming release, reducing  potential complications.
Improve Breathing Patterns (for Toddlers & Kids): Encouraging nasal breathing to promote better oxygen exchange and  sleep quality.

After Surgery: Optimal Recovery & Development

Following the procedure, myofunctional therapy is used to:

Prevent Re-attachment: Exercises that aid in the healing process while preventing the reattachment of released tissues.
Reinforce Proper Oral Functions: Training the tongue and mouth to adopt healthier movement patterns for eating, speaking, and breathing.
Support Long-term Health: Ongoing exercises designed to maintain the improvements achieved through the procedure and therapy.

A Collaborative
Approach to Care

Our myofunctional therapy program is a collaborative effort, involving:

Specialized Therapists: Experienced myofunctional therapists who tailor exercises to your child’s specific needs.
Family Involvement: We educate families on how to support their child’s therapy at home, enhancing outcomes.
Continuous Assessment: Monitoring progress and adjusting the therapy plan as your child develops and their needs evolve.

Tongue and Lip Ties

Why It’s Important To Screen for Tongue & Lip Ties at Every Age

Recognizing the Signs: A Guide for Parents