Tongue and Lip-Tied

Is your child tongue-tied?

“Tongue-tied” is the common name for ankyloglossia — when the lingual frenum (the thin piece of skin under your tongue that connects it to the bottom of your mouth) is too short or too far forward. Patients can also have a “lip tie” that can create similar issues. In some cases, it is completely harmless. However, in some children it can cause problems with growth of the face, speech development, eating, swallowing and even breathing.

To prevent these problems, your pediatrician or dentist may recommend a frenectomy or a functional frenuloplasty, myofunctional therapy, or another tongue-tie treatment.

Why should my child get a tongue-tie release?

The lingual frenum is an important piece of skin because it anchors your tongue to the bottom of your mouth. It varies in length from person to person, and when it is too short or too far forward, it can inhibit the tongue’s movement too much, which can in turn lead to oral health issues or disrupt sleep. Being tongue-tied can be troublesome in the early stages of development for infants and children.

• Some infants who are tongue-tied have trouble breastfeeding or drinking from a bottle
• Tongue-tied toddlers and children can have trouble eating and swallowing
• Some children who are tongue-tied have trouble making certain sounds when learning to speak

Naturally, when a child has problems eating and swallowing, it can affect their ability to get proper nutrition. A frenectomy would therefore be an essential procedure for their overall health and well-being.

What is a frenectomy?

A frenectomy is a simple procedure that is a form of tongue-tie release. The doctor numbs the area and cuts the frenum just enough to allow the tongue to move more freely and naturally. The procedure is done using a local anesthetic and normally takes less than 15 minutes from start to finish. Your child will experience very little discomfort during the procedure.

What is a functional frenuloplasty?

A functional frenuloplasty is another form of tongue-tie release. It’s different from a frenectomy because it also alters the muscle by selectively loosening up tight areas. This is done by allowing the functionality of the tongue during the procedure to dictate what needs to be released. Similar to a frenectomy, the procedure does not take longer than 15 minutes to perform and has a very high success rate.

Some patients can get these releases completed both surgically and non-surgically using the latest laser technology.

The Results

Recovery is typically very straightforward. We recommend that you make sure the area under the tongue stays clean and that your child eats softer foods until it is completely healed, which typically takes a week.

After a frenectomy, activities such as breastfeeding, bottle feeding, eating, and swallowing should become easier. Speech development issues should begin to improve, as well. Your child’s tongue will be able to move freely and naturally, without restriction or pain.