Pre and Post Tongue Tie Intervention (Frenulectomy) Therapy
Tongue ties, or Ankyloglossia, affect up to one-third of children at birth and restrict the tongue’s movement. This condition is caused by an unusually tight band of tissue tethering the tongue to the floor of the mouth. Tongue ties can interfere with essential functions such as breastfeeding, eating, swallowing, and speaking.
At Talk About Therapy, we specialize in comprehensive tongue tie therapy, offering:
- Pre-Intervention Services: Evaluation and guidance for tongue and lip ties, preparing families for potential surgical interventions.
- Post-Intervention Therapy: Tailored therapy following a Frenulectomy or similar procedure to maximize outcomes and improve function.
- Expert Referrals: Recommendations for trusted medical professionals specializing in tongue and lip tie interventions.
Learn more about how tongue and lip ties may affect your child and how our therapy services can help address these challenges effectively.
What exactly are tongue ties (and lip ties) and are there different types?
Tongue ties and lip ties occur when the tongue or lip is tethered to the mouth by an unusually tight band of fibers, restricting movement. These conditions can affect feeding, swallowing, and speech. There are two widely recognized types of tongue ties, along with lip ties:
- Anterior Tongue Tie: This type is easier to identify because it is located near the gum line. It becomes most apparent when the child attempts to lift their tongue.
Understanding the type of tie is essential for effective evaluation and intervention. Therapy and potential surgical procedures, such as a Frenulectomy, can help address these issues and improve functionality.
Posterior Tongue Tie: Located further back in the mouth, a posterior tongue tie is harder to identify but can cause similar issues to an anterior tongue tie, such as difficulty with feeding, swallowing, and speech.
Lip Tie: Occurs when a band of tissue abnormally tethers the upper lip to the gums, often near the frenulum—the soft tissue behind the upper lip connected to the gums. Lip ties can impact feeding, oral hygiene, and speech development.
Early evaluation and intervention can help address these conditions effectively and improve oral function.
How can you identify tongue ties or lip ties in your child?
While tongue ties and lip ties may be challenging for parents to visually identify, several common symptoms can indicate their presence:
- Difficulty Breastfeeding: Trouble latching or maintaining a latch during nursing.
- Breastfeeding-Related Damage: Pain or damage to the breast caused by the baby’s latch.
- Feeding Challenges: Struggles with bottle-feeding or transitioning to solid foods.
- Speech Issues: Delays or difficulties in speech development.
- Sleep Problems: Restlessness or disrupted sleep patterns.
- Mouth Breathing: Persistent breathing through the mouth instead of the nose.
- Acid Reflux: Frequent spit-up or signs of discomfort related to digestion.
If you notice these symptoms, a professional evaluation can help determine whether tongue or lip ties are the cause and guide appropriate interventions.
Often many of these symptoms can present together and make basic life functions very challenging for the child and family.
What can you do if you feel your child has a tongue tie or lip tie?
We understand how concerning it can be as a parent when your child struggles with eating or other basic functions. If you suspect your child may have a tongue or lip tie, contact us for an in-depth evaluation. We can determine if a tongue or lip tie is the issue and recommend appropriate next steps, including referrals to trusted specialists for procedures like a Frenulectomy. After the tie is released, we offer post-care therapy to strengthen and enhance your child’s functional abilities, ensuring a smooth recovery and optimal outcomes.
Pre-Intervention & Therapy
Evaluation
What can you do if you suspect your child has a tongue or lip tie?
As a parent, it can be concerning when your child has difficulty eating or performing other basic functions. If you believe your child may have a tongue or lip tie, reach out to us for an in-depth evaluation. We will assess whether a tongue or lip tie is a concern and provide next steps, including referrals to trusted specialists for interventions like a Frenulectomy. After the procedure, we offer post-care therapy to strengthen and improve your child’s functions.
Types of Tongue Tie and Lip Tie
Anterior Tongue Tie:
Easy to identify, this type is located near the gum line and is most noticeable when the child attempts to raise their tongue.Posterior Tongue Tie:
Harder to detect, this type is located further back in the mouth but can cause the same issues as an anterior tongue tie.Lip Tie:
Occurs when a band of tissue abnormally tethers the upper lip to the gums.
What is a Frenulum?
The frenulum is a soft tissue band that connects various parts of the mouth.
Types of Frenulum:
- Lingual Frenulum: The tissue under the tongue, which, if too short, results in a tongue tie.
- Labial Frenulum: The tissue under the upper lip, which, if too thick or tight, results in a lip tie.
How to Identify the Frenulum:
- Look in a mirror and touch your tongue to the roof of your mouth. The fold of tissue underneath your tongue is the lingual frenulum.
- Lift your upper lip. The fold of tissue connecting your lip to your gums is the labial frenulum.
These structures can restrict movement if too tight or thick, causing functional challenges that benefit from professional evaluation and intervention.
Intervention & Post-Intervention
Intervention
What is a Frenectomy/Frenulectomy?
A Frenectomy, also called a Frenulectomy, is a quick procedure to address restrictions caused by the frenulum. It involves using a scalpel or laser to release the tight tissue. The procedure typically lasts less than 15 minutes, and anesthesia is often unnecessary for younger children. The terms “lingual frenum” and “frenulum” are used interchangeably, and so are the procedure names.
Post-Intervention
What to Expect After a Tongue Tie Release
Recovery after a tongue tie release can vary, as each child adapts differently. Here’s what you might expect:
- Initial Feeding Challenges: Babies may not nurse normally immediately after the procedure due to compensatory behaviors developed prior to the release.
- Fussiness: Babies might be fussy while nursing, appearing confused, fatigued, or irritable during feedings.
- Discomfort: Some babies may experience achy or stiff muscles and discomfort after feeds.
While some children adapt quickly as breastfeeding issues resolve, every recovery journey is unique.
How We Support Recovery
At Talk About Therapy, we understand that recovery can be unpredictable. Our team helps you prepare for what to expect and supports you in adapting to these changes. Our goal is to guide you and your baby toward re-establishing a positive, nurturing routine to foster healthy development and ease the transition after a tongue tie release.
