What Are Lip-Tie and Tongue-Tie?
Every child is born with small bands of tissue that connect the tongue to the floor of the mouth and the lips to the gums. These bands are called frenum, and in most children they are loose enough to allow free movement.
Sometimes a frenum is shorter, thicker, or tighter than usual. When the band under the tongue restricts movement, it is often called a tongue-tie. When the band connecting the upper lip is tight, it is often called a lip-tie. Both are common, and both can be evaluated gently at our Reunion office.
Parents are often the first to notice something is not quite right, whether during feeding in infancy or as speech begins to develop. If you have a hunch, trust it enough to ask. A gentle look is all it takes to start getting answers.
How Lip-Tie and Tongue-Tie Can Affect Children
In infants, a tight frenum can sometimes make feeding harder. Babies may struggle to latch during breastfeeding or take a bottle comfortably, and feedings can become long or frustrating for everyone involved. Many families first hear the words lip-tie or tongue-tie while working through a feeding concern.
As children grow, restricted tongue or lip movement can sometimes play a role in speech development, making certain sounds harder to form clearly. It can also affect how comfortably a child eats, and in some cases how easily the front teeth can be kept clean.
An important note for parents: these are possibilities, not predictions. A lip-tie or tongue-tie does not automatically cause problems, and feeding or speech concerns can have many causes. That is why an in-person evaluation matters. We will look carefully, talk with you honestly, and help you understand whether treatment may be worth considering or whether watching and waiting makes more sense.
What a Frenectomy Involves
A frenectomy is a procedure that gently releases the tight band of tissue so the lip or tongue can move more freely. It is one of the more straightforward procedures in children's dentistry, and it is typically completed quickly here in our office.
For infants, the visit is usually brief, and parents are welcome to stay close. For older children, we take time to explain what will happen in friendly, non-frightening words so your child arrives feeling prepared rather than nervous. Comfort measures and sedation options are available for children who need extra support.
Afterward, you will go home with clear instructions, and follow-up visits let us check healing and answer questions. Families often tell us that understanding each step ahead of time made the whole experience far less stressful than they expected.
Your Child’s Frenectomy Visit
Gentle evaluation
We examine your child’s lip or tongue and talk honestly about whether a frenectomy may help.
A clear plan
You will know exactly what to expect, including comfort options for your child.
Quick, careful treatment
The release itself is typically brief, with your child’s comfort guiding every step.
Supported recovery
Simple aftercare instructions and follow-up visits help healing go smoothly.