Understanding Lip and Tongue Ties
A tongue tie, medically called ankyloglossia, occurs when the tissue connecting the tongue to the floor of the mouth is too tight, thick, or short. Similarly, a lip tie happens when the tissue connecting the upper lip to the gum restricts movement.
These conditions are present from birth and can range from mild to severe. While some ties cause no problems, others significantly impact a child's ability to feed, speak, or maintain oral health.
Signs Your Child May Have a Tie
In infants, signs of problematic ties include difficulty latching or staying latched during breastfeeding, poor weight gain, excessive gas or reflux, clicking sounds during feeding, and maternal nipple pain despite proper latch attempts.
In older children, signs may include difficulty with certain speech sounds, challenges eating certain foods, gap between front teeth, problems with oral hygiene, or compensatory habits that affect jaw development.
The Frenectomy Procedure
A frenectomy is a simple procedure to release the restrictive tissue. At our Pickering office, we evaluate each child individually to determine whether a release would be beneficial. Not every tie needs treatment, and we recommend intervention only when the tie is causing functional problems.
For infants, the procedure is typically quick and performed with local anesthesia or sometimes no anesthesia at all for very young babies. Older children receive local anesthesia to ensure comfort during the procedure.
We use precise techniques to release the tissue while minimizing discomfort and promoting rapid healing. The procedure itself usually takes just a few minutes, though the full appointment is longer to allow for evaluation, preparation, and post-procedure instruction.
After the Release
Post-procedure care is essential for optimal results. We provide detailed instructions for wound care and exercises that help prevent the tissue from reattaching. For infants with feeding difficulties, we typically recommend working with a lactation consultant alongside our treatment.
Most children heal quickly with minimal discomfort. Improved feeding often begins within days for infants, while speech improvements may take longer and sometimes benefit from speech therapy.
Families from Pickering, Ajax, Whitby, and throughout Durham Region bring their children to Hi Five Kids Dental & Braces for expert evaluation and treatment of lip and tongue ties.
