BEING TONGUE-TIED isn’t just an expression; for many people, it’s an actual medical condition. A similar medical condition is being lip-tied. We all have thin, stretchy pieces of tissue that connect our tongues to the floor of our mouths and our lips to our gums. Sometimes those pieces of tissue are unusually thick or tight, which restricts the movement of the lip or tongue.
Someone with a tongue tie might not be able to touch the roof of their mouth with their tongue, making it hard to chew, swallow, or pronounce words effectively. Someone with a lip tie might have a big gap between their two front teeth and be at higher risk of gum recession. Babies with a lip or tongue tie often struggle to latch effectively to breastfeed.
The treatment for a lip or tongue tie is a frenectomy, a quick and simple procedure with a short recovery period. It is usually performed by a periodontist or oral surgeon. After the area is numbed, a small incision (sometimes made with a laser) releases the tissue, which stops all of the symptoms. Super easy!
If you believe you or your child have a lip or tongue tie, schedule a dental appointment so that we can verify it and then make a plan for how to correct it. Don’t let it continue to get in the way!
The content on this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.
OF COURSE WE SMILE when we feel happy, but there’s evidence to show that the link…
AS PARENTS, EVERY milestone a new baby reaches is incredibly exciting, and sometimes we can get…
THE BEST WAY to get the best possible outcome in any kind of emergency is to…
IF A CHILD CONTINUES their finger or thumb-sucking habit past their toddler years, it can negatively…
IN THE PHARMACY section of every grocery store, one side of an entire aisle is often…
ELDERLY PEOPLE ARE not the only people at risk of gum recession, even though that idea…