Tongue Tie/Lip Tie

Tongue and lip tie are conditions that occur when the tissue connecting the tongue or lip is thicker or shorter than usual

Tongue Tie

(Ankyloglossia):
• Tongue tie occurs when the lingual frenulum, the band of tissue connecting the underside of the tongue to the floor of the mouth, is too short or tight. This can restrict the range of motion of the tongue, potentially causing difficulties with breastfeeding, swallowing, speech articulation, and oral hygiene.

• In infants, tongue tie may interfere with effective breastfeeding, leading to issues such as difficulty latching, poor milk transfer, and nipple pain for the breastfeeding parent.

• In older children and adults, tongue tie may contribute to speech articulation problems, challenges with certain oral functions such as food management or picky eating, oral rest posture and mouth breathing, or dental issues like misalignment of teeth.

Lip Tie (Labial Frenulum):
• Lip tie occurs when the frenulum, the band of tissue that attaches the upper lip to the gums, is too tight or thick. This can restrict the movement of the upper lip, potentially affecting breastfeeding, oral hygiene, and dental development.

• In infants, severe lip tie may interfere with proper latch during breastfeeding, leading to difficulties in effective milk transfer and potential nipple damage for the breastfeeding parent.

• In some cases, lip tie may also contribute to spacing or alignment issues of the front teeth as the child grows.

Both tongue tie and lip tie can vary in severity, from mild cases that may not cause significant functional problems to more severe cases that can impact daily functions. Severity is based on how the restriction effects the client, not necessarily how it looks. Treatment options may include a procedure called frenotomy or frenuloplasty, where the tight or thickened tissue is released to improve movement and function. This procedure is often performed by a pediatrician, ENT (ear, nose, and throat) specialist, or oral surgeon, depending on the severity of the condition and the age of the individual.

Myofunctional therapy may also be recommended to help improve oral function following treatment to train the oral structures to move properly.
In other cases myofunctional therapy may improve function and a release is not needed. This is determined as therapy progresses.

The therapists at CRTC work closely with practitioners in the community doing tongue tie release to ensure pre and post therapy are provided for best possible outcomes.