What Are Lip and Tongue Ties? Palm Harbor
Your Quick Guide to Lip & Tongue Ties
Approximately 10% of children are born with a lip or tongue tie. These conditions restrict the movement of oral tissues and, in some cases, interfere with proper eating, speaking, and even breathing. They can be especially troublesome for infants and breastfeeding mothers as they can prevent the child from successfully latching, leading to nutrition and health problems. Fortunately, Dr. Maggie and our Palm Harbor team can take care of both these issues in just a few minutes in our dental office. But what exactly are lip and tongue ties, and how are they treated? This page explains.
Why Choose Florida Tongue Tie Institute for Lip & Tongue Tie Treatment?
- Care Provided by a Mother of 3 and an All-Female Staff
- Laser Technology Makes Treatment Fast & Gentle
- Certified Dentist with Many Years of Experience
How Do Lip and Tongue Ties Develop?
Inside everyone’s mouth, there are three small bands of tissue called frenulums (or frenula or frena or frenums). One connects each lip to the gums, and another is found beneath the tongue. During fetal development, a process called apoptosis is supposed to occur where the lips and tongue separate from the rest of the mouth, allowing them to move freely. Sometimes, this doesn’t quite happen, and a frenulum ends up being so short or thick that it prevents the proper range of motion, creating what is called a lip or tongue tie.
Genetics, as well as certain nutritional insufficiencies during pregnancy, may play a role in the development of lip and tongue ties.
Some signs that your child may have one of these conditions include:
- Difficulty latching while breastfeeding
- Digestive issues
- Colic
- Short and frequent feeding sessions
As the mother of a child with a lip or tongue tie, you may also experience some problems, such as pain while nursing, clogged milk ducts, poor milk supply, and sore nipples.
Why Is It Important to Treat Lip & Tongue Ties?
Lip and tongue ties cause problems during infancy, but they can do even more. In fact, if left untreated, these conditions can continue to cause difficulties throughout childhood and even into adulthood. For example, your child might experience:
- Delayed speech development.
- An aversion to certain textures of food.
- An increased risk of dental problems, such as cavities and gum disease.
- Disordered breathing during sleep; sleep apnea could even develop.
- Behavioral issues due to poor sleep quality.
- Orthodontic misalignment caused by improper tongue positioning or an overly thick frenulum on the gums.
- Teeth grinding and clenching.
Fortunately, the risk of such issues can be greatly reduced via lip and tongue tie treatment.
Lip & Tongue Tie Treatment
The standard treatment for a lip or tongue tie is a minimally invasive surgery known as a frenectomy. During this procedure, Dr. Maggie uses an advanced soft tissue laser to modify or remove the frenulum that is restricting the patient’s oral structures. The entire process usually takes just a few minutes, and the laser makes it as comfortable as possible. Local anesthesia may also be used to contribute to an easy treatment process.
Although frenectomies are commonly performed on infants and children, this procedure can also benefit adults in some cases. Do not hesitate to contact our team if you believe that you or someone in your family might need this treatment.
Lip & Tongue-Tie Treatment FAQs
Does a frenectomy hurt?
Thanks to Dr. Davis’s use of the LightScalpel laser, even the youngest patients can remain calm and comfortable during a frenectomy. The laser’s precise light energy gently releases the restricted tissue with minimal disruption—there’s virtually no heat, noise, or vibration involved. This makes the experience nearly sensation-free. Additionally, the laser naturally cauterizes and sterilizes the area as it works, which helps dramatically minimize post-procedure bleeding, swelling, and discomfort.
Can toddlers, children, and teens have lip/tongue ties?
Absolutely! While lip and tongue ties are often spotted in babies, many go undiagnosed until a child is older. In toddlers and teens, they can contribute to speech delays, difficulty chewing, digestive troubles, interrupted sleep, and oral health problems. A large gap between the front teeth is often a visible clue.
These ties can also restrict airflow at night, resulting in snoring or sleep-disordered breathing that resembles sleep apnea. This poor sleep can lead to focus issues or hyperactivity, which sometimes gets mistaken for ADHD. If your child’s ADHD symptoms persist despite treatment, a hidden tie could be to blame!
Are there any diet restrictions following a frenectomy?
Not for infants—they can resume feeding right away, whether they’re nursing or bottle-feeding. Older children and teens should simply steer clear of very hot, cold, spicy, or acidic foods for a few days, as these can irritate the tissue while it heals.
Will my insurance help pay for a frenectomy?
Many insurance plans—medical and dental—offer some degree of coverage for tongue and lip tie releases, but this can vary quite a bit. Some will only approve the procedure if it’s classified as “medically necessary,” which is defined differently by each policy. Others may only cover traditional methods, not laser-based treatment, or only provide coverage for infants. Fortunately, laser frenectomies tend to be affordable even without insurance, and we even offer low-to-no interest financing through CareCredit. We’ll explain everything during your consultation so you can make an informed, stress-free decision.