.webp)
Frequently Asked Questions
What are tongue and lip-ties?
%402x%20(2).svg){kind=icon}
Tongue and lip ties are collectively known as “tethered oral tissues” or TOTs. They occur when the bands of tissue that connect the tongue or the lips to the mouth become overdeveloped to the point that proper mouth movement is restricted.
They are uncommon in infants and toddlers, and sometimes do not need treatment. Minor tongue and lip ties may not cause any feeding problems, or contribute to speech impediments.
However, serious tongue and lip ties can make it hard for your child to breastfeed or use a bottle properly, resulting in poor feeding and inadequate nutrition. If you think that your child is having trouble feeding because of tongue or lip ties, call us today to schedule a consult with Dr. Amy and our team!
How do I know if my child needs a frenectomy?
Feeding problems are the most common signs of tongue and lip ties. Your child’s lips and tongue need to be able to move properly to latch onto the nipple and stimulate it for proper feeding. If they seem to be having trouble making a proper seal, milk dribbles out from their mouth while feeding, or they frequently stop and start feeding, they may be having latching issues due to tongue or lip ties.
You can also look for visual signs of tongue and lip ties. For the lips, you can fold back your child’s upper lip and look at the frenulum. If it is difficult to lift the lip or it seems like your baby is unable to move their upper lip on their own, they may have a lip tie.
Signs of tongue ties include an inability for your child to stick their tongue out past their front teeth, or problems moving the tongue from side to side. Tongue ties can also be identified visually. A common sign of tongue ties is a “heart-shaped” tongue. When your child sticks their tongue out, the restriction caused by the tongue tie may cause it to look “notched” or heart-shaped, instead of appearing as a smooth “U” shape.
Will my baby be in pain after their frenectomy?
Babies are generally fussier a few days following the procedure, as they heal and adjust to the range of motion from their newly released tongue and/or lip. We will give you some options for pain management in your post-operative instructions.
Are frenectomies covered by dental insurance?
Insurance coverage for frenectomies can vary. Because of this, you will pay the fee upfront, and we'll bill out to your insurance company on your behalf, and help you to understand your benefits. Your insurance will reimburse you depending on your individual plan. If you have any questions about your plan or our pricing, don't hesitate to give us a call to speak with one of our friendly, knowledgable team members!
What is recovery and aftercare like for frenectomies?
Hendersonville dentist, Dr. Amy, and her team will teach you proper stretches to perform for your baby to prevent re-attachment following the release. Your care at Vibrant Beginnings includes follow-ups with Dr. Amy to check the healing sites, as well as follow-ups with our in-house occupational therapist to provide customized exercises for your baby to help strengthen their tongue and achieve long-term functional results. Because the tongue is composed of muscles, the pre-and-post-operative exercises given by our occupational therapist to train and strengthen the tongue are key to your baby's success.
How soon will I see results?
While many mothers experience an immediate improvement in their baby’s ability to nurse, other babies may take time to relearn how to utilize their tongue and might require the help of other professionals. The tongue is made up of several muscles and when restricted by a tie, these muscles develop compensations to function. After the release, your baby’s tongue has no muscle memory of how to function effectively so your baby will need time to learn this new skill. You may even notice a little regression in the first day or two as your child learns how to use their unrestricted tongue.
Our in-house occupational therapist has specialized training in pre-and-post-frenectomy therapy to get your baby back on track. We have also carefully developed a local network of excellent providers in our area to assist your baby post-revision, should they need additional care.
What are infant tongue and lip tie symptoms?
Many babies with tongue and lip ties may be able to latch to the breast and feed normally. The following lists are signs and symptoms that mothers and babies may experience if these ties are impacting breastfeeding. However, it is important to note that many of these signs can also be linked to other breastfeeding problems and are not solely related to ties.
Mothers may experience:
- Flattened nipples after breastfeeding
- Nipple pain or damage
- Decreased milk production
- Poor breast drainage leading to mastitis
- Prolonged feedings
Babies may exhibit:
- Noisy suckling or clicking
- Slow weight gain
- Poor latch
- Popping on and off the breast
- Gas or reflux symptoms
- Leaking milk out of the side of the mouth due to ineffective seal
- Curling in or lips during feeding
- Lip blisters
- Arched palate
- White milk residue on tongue
- Choking/coughing/exhaustion during feedings
