A Fee-for-Service Provider
Please note that our practice is currently not accepting insurance. We encourage all patients to review potential benefits and costs with their insurance carrier. Although the New Jersey Tongue-Tie Center does not bill patient insurance, we can provide a superbill to be submitted to your insurance carrier for potential reimbursement.
Understanding Tongue Ties and Lip Ties: What Parents Need to Know
What is a Tongue Tie
A tongue tie is a condition where the lingual frenulum, the membrane connecting the tongue to the bottom of the mouth, is too thick, short, or hasn’t developed properly. Tongue ties can affect your baby by affecting their ability to nurse or drink from a bottle correctly. If you notice your baby is fussy, not gaining weight as expected, or seems to struggle when drinking milk from breasts or a bottle, it may be likely that they have a tongue tie. Other symptoms like colic, gassiness, and inability to latch during a feed can also be symptoms of a tongue tie.
What To Do When Your Baby Has Tongue Tie
If your baby is diagnosed with a tongue tie, a frenectomy procedure may be recommended. This is a minor surgical procedure that releases the tethered oral tissue to improve tongue mobility and function. Typically, a frenectomy procedure is a quick 10 minute procedure using topical anesthetic and a laser to release the tightened tissue. Tongue tie surgery is performed by a qualified healthcare provider and can greatly enhance your baby’s ability to feed comfortably, leading to a healthier and happier baby.
What is a Lip Tie
A lip tie occurs when the piece of tissue on the inside of the upper lip (known as the labial frenulum) is too short or tight, restricting lip movement. Unlike tongue ties, lip ties often correct themselves as the child grows and usually don’t require surgery. However, if a lip tie does not resolve on its own and is causing issues such as restricting lip movement and latching ability, consult with your doctor about corrective measures. Unresolved lip tie can also cause dental problems for the child in the future.
Contact Us for a Consultation
Visit our clinics in Hoboken, NJ, and Montvale, NJ for a diagnosis and treatment for tongue ties and lip ties. Our team is experienced in performing frenectomy procedures safely so that your children can feed comfortably and develop normally. If you suspect your baby has a tongue tie or lip tie, don’t hesitate to contact us for a consultation. We are dedicated to helping you and your baby lead healthier and more comfortable lives.
Frequently Asked Questions
Tongue ties can affect the growth and development of the teeth and jaw, affecting alignment, tongue movement, and speech. In infants the primary concern is a poor latch for breastfeeding, which can result in other issues including:
- Colic
- Difficult intake of adequate milk
- Early weaning from the breast
- Extended nursing duration
- Slow weight gain
- Gassiness
- Falling asleep during a feed
- Unable to develop or sustain a good latch
- Unable to hold a pacifier
Poor latching can cause problems for mothers too including difficult breastfeeding, mastitis, anxiety, slow post-delivery weight loss, painful conditions of nipples, and low milk supply or early cessation of lactation.
If your baby is struggling to latch and you suspect a physical impediment to success, look into the baby’s mouth and use your finger to feel for tightness in the tissue under his or her tongue or between the front upper gum and lip.
First, your baby will be swaddled and a topical anesthetic, such as lidocaine, is applied to the area. The dentist then uses a precise laser to release the tightened or tethered tissue. The whole procedure takes less than 10 minutes and in most instances the baby is able to latch immediately when he or she is returned to you. Your baby may experience some slight swelling for a day or so following the treatment. Also, the dentist will provide advice on how to care for the baby’s mouth and if any exercises or post-surgical care is needed to ensure that the frenum does not reattach or tether again.
Laser frenectomies are extraordinarily precise and quick. There is no need for general anesthesia. Your baby will only have minimal discomfort or swelling and the laser treatment sterilizes the treatment area, reducing the chance of infection. In addition to the benefits of the laser procedure, once the release of the tongue tie is complete, your baby will be more able to latch on to the breast and feed more efficiently. This will improve the baby’s health and wellbeing as well as the mother’s.
If you have questions about this procedure or suspect that your baby might have a tongue tie, contact us to make an appointment with our doctors for assessment and advice.