+Tongue-tie & Lip-tie

High frenum attachments, called a tongue-tie and lip-tie, can have detrimental short term and long term effects. The frenum is a thin band of tissue that connects two parts of the oral cavity together, such as the tongue to the floor of the mouth (tongue-tie) or the upper lip to the gums (lip-tie). The effects can begin as early as the first few days of life or show up down the line.

Tongue-tie + Lip-tie Symptoms

Newborns may have trouble latching on to the mother’s breast or baby bottles. This can be dangerous and prevent the infant from gaining essential weight early on. If the tongue is restricting the newborn from creating a good seal and suction, the breastmilk or bottled formula, will not reach the mouth efficiently.

Mother’s Symptoms

Painful nursing
Poor latch
Cracked, creased or flattened nipples
Bleeding nipples or lipstick shaped nipples
Poor breast drainage, plugged ducts, engorgement or mastitis
Feeding the baby is a ‘full-time’ job

Tongue and/or lip-tie Baby’s Issues

Poor latch at the breast or bottle
Falls asleep while feeding
Spits up milk often or milk dribbles out when eating
Fussy behavior
Gassy burps
Difficulty gaining weight
Clicking or smacking sounds when eating
Snoring or mouth breathing
Greater than 20 minutes per feeding

Tongue and/or lip-tie Child/Adolescent Issues

Speech delay or impediment
Mouth breathing, snoring or restless sleep
Sleep apnea
Teeth grinding or bruxism
Food impaction in flap area between the gums and lip
Complaints of pain or discomfort when brushing upper front teeth
Recession of the gums
Cavities on upper front teeth
Spacing between upper anterior teeth (diastema)