Tongue Ties

Tongue Ties aka Frenectomy

Everybody has a little tissue called a frenum that joins the lips to the gums and the tongue to the base of the mouth. Too much or too little of that tissue can interfere with appropriate speech, eating, and movement.Healthy smiles begin with thoughtful, specialized care. Our pediatric dental team is trained to meet the unique needs of children, providing preventive care, early diagnosis, and gentle treatment for developing smiles.

Roughly 4–10% of newborns have a restricted frenum, also referred to as a lip or tongue tie. We closely examine the movements of your child's mouth in order to diagnose it. A straightforward operation known as a frenectomy can remove the tissue and restore healthy, comfortable movement if necessary.

What are the Symptoms?

Lip and tongue ties can make breastfeeding difficult for both babies and mothers. When a baby’s tongue or lip can’t move freely, it’s harder for them to latch and feed effectively. This can lead to discomfort for mom, including soreness, cracked nipples, or even mastitis and breast engorgement. Infants may also show signs such as poor weight gain, reflux, colic, weak suction, or frustration and fatigue while nursing.

What are the Long-Term Effects?

If a tongue or lip tie needs to be corrected, our doctors take a thoughtful, functional approach before deciding on treatment. Sometimes, it’s best to wait and see how the child grows and whether the tie causes any real challenges. If a tie becomes restrictive over time, it can contribute to problems such as speech challenges, orthodontic issues, gum recession, trapped food, cavities, and difficulty chewing or swallowing. Every decision is made with your child’s comfort and future health in mind.