Tongue and Lip Tie Management
Tongue and lip ties occur when the frenulum (tissue connecting the tongue or lip to the mouth) is too tight or short. This can limit movement and affect breastfeeding, speech, and oral health. Early management is essential for optimal oral health and function.
Tongue Tie (Ankyloglossia)
What Is It?
A tongue tie limits the movement of the tongue due to a tight frenulum, making breastfeeding, speaking, and swallowing difficult.
Treatment:
- Frenotomy/Frenuloplasty: A simple, minimally invasive procedure to release the frenulum.
- Oral Myofunctional Therapy (OMT): Exercises to retrain the tongue and improve muscle coordination.
Lip Tie (Ankylognathia)
What Is It?
A lip tie restricts the upper lip’s movement due to a tight frenulum, affecting breastfeeding and oral function.
Treatment:
- Frenectomy: A quick procedure to release the lip frenulum.
- OMT: Exercises to improve lip function.
Importance of releasing tongue and lip ties
In infants and young children, tongue or lip ties can interfere with
- Breastfeeding or bottle-feeding – due to poor latch, prolonged feeding times, or maternal discomfort.
- Swallowing – affecting the way the tongue moves during feeding and speech.
- Speech development – limiting the ability to form certain sounds clearly.
- Dental health – including issues like gaps between the teeth or increased risk of decay due to difficulty with oral hygiene.
- Orofacial development – leading to compensatory habits such as mouth breathing, incorrect tongue posture, or improper swallowing patterns, which can affect jaw growth and facial structure over time.
Left untreated, these issues may contribute to long-term problems with eating, speaking, and
even orthodontic development.
Assessment and treatment — often in collaboration with lactation consultants, speech therapists, or myofunctional therapists—can help improve function and prevent further complications.
