Tongue and Lip Tie

Understanding

What Happens Next?

If your child is diagnosed with a tongue or lip tie, you will have the option to have it released. You will then be given stretches to complete several times daily.

Do I Have to do the Stretches?

Most practitioners that do the release procedure feel that outcomes are better when there is some stretching post release. When wounds heal, they contract. Stretching and active tongue movements minimize the contractions.

What is Tongue or Lip Tie?

Tongue tie (ankyloglossia) and lip tie are congenital conditions in which the lingual frenulum (the ligament that connects the tongue to the bottom of the mouth) and the labial frenulum (the lip’s ligament) are too thick, too tight or too short. This reduces the correct function of the tongue or lips.

What to Look For

• Breastfeeding or bottle-feeding difficulties

• Poor sucking patterns

• Biting instead of sucking

• Poor milk transfer

• Frequent feeding

• Swallowing air (aerophagia)

• Mother’s sore or painful nipples

• Stressful feeding

• Clicking or noisy sucking sounds

Future Potential Complications

• Difficulty developing feeding skills

• Speech problems

• Increased need for orthodontia

• Increased sleep/respiratory issues

How Do I Know My Child Has It?

A professional with pediatric feeding and swallowing expertise can identify tongue or lip restriction that is interfering with optimal function and will refer you to a dentist or an ENT for a tongue/lip tie evaluation.

Will It Fix the Problem?

A release will increase lip/tongue’s passive range of movement. If your baby, however, does not use the new movement or doesn't know how to use the new range of motion, Feeding Therapy will be recommended to train correct oral function. This is why babies will suck correctly right after the release and soon after return to their old patterns. Feeding therapy is necessary to train new active oral function skills and eliminate any inefficient compensatory patterns to ensure breastfeeding success.

Prognosis For Successful Feeding:

Prognosis is excellent if the tongue and or lip t ie is identified, the released is completed at the optimal time, if stretches are completed as directed, and if Feeding Therapy is initiated.

Why Feeding Therapy?

For greatest release success, evaluation of oral function is a key component to ensure that new mobility is activated and oral function is optimal. To learn the benefits of Feeding Therapy, please check out our Feeding Therapy handout.