Lip-Ties: The Facts
One tiny string under the upper lip can be a serious pest.
If you can answer “yes” to any of these questions, your child may have a lip-tie in babies, a lip-tie toddler, or even a tongue and lip-tie together.
Does your infant…
- Struggle to latch deeply or stay latched during nursing or bottle-feeding?
- Make clicking or smacking noises while eating?
- Leak milk from the corners of the mouth?
- Have a tucked or curled upper lip-tie in newborn that won’t flange outward?
- Show reflux, colic, excessive gas, or constant fussiness?
- Seem constantly hungry or exhausted after feeding?
Does your toddler or older child…
- Fight you when it’s time to brush the top front teeth?
- Have a noticeable gap between the front teeth?
- Struggle with sounds like B, P, M, or W?
- Eat slowly, pack food in the cheeks, or seem messy at mealtime?
- Have trouble forming a good seal when drinking from a cup or straw?.
What is a lip-tie in babies?
Every baby has some frenulum tissue under the upper lip. In a true lip-tie, that tissue is abnormally restrictive. It stops the lip from flaring outward and creating a proper seal. Some are thin and stringy. Others are thick and cord-like.
What does a lip-tie look like?
Gently flip the upper lip and you’ll often see the tissue pulling tight, blanching the gums, or preventing normal movement. In newborns, the lip stays tucked instead of flanging like a little fish lip. In toddlers, it can create that stubborn gap between the front teeth or make brushing feel impossible.
Does lip-tie affect feeding?
Yes, lip-tie symptoms often show up right at feeds. Babies can’t get a deep latch, so they swallow extra air, leading to gas, reflux, and fussiness. Many times these issues show up alongside a baby’s tongue-tie, because tongue and lip-tie frequently occur together.
Can a lip-tie affect speech?
It can. An untreated lip-tie limits upper lip movement needed for sounds like “B,” “P,” “M,” and “W.” Some toddlers and preschoolers end up with speech delays or unclear words because of that restriction.
Lip-tie problems later in life
Left alone, a lip-tie can make brushing the top teeth a daily battle, contribute to early decay, or leave that persistent gap between the front teeth. The earlier you catch it, the less your child has to struggle.
Are lip-ties genetic?
They often run in families. If you or your other children have had a tongue-tie or lip-tie, there’s a higher chance your baby may have one too.
Why we often treat tongue-tie and lip-tie together
Tongue-ties and lip-ties love to show up as a pair. A tight upper lip-tie makes it harder to flange and seal, while a restricted tongue-tie makes it tough to lift and move milk or food properly. When both are present, the feeding battles get even harder – more air swallowing, more reflux, slower weight gain, and more frustration for everyone.
Many families come in thinking it’s “just a tongue-tie” only to discover the lip-tie is adding its own layer of trouble. We assess both during every consult because a frenectomy for lip-tie combined with tongue-tie release (when needed) gives the cleanest, most complete results. One quick laser procedure can address the full picture so your child can finally eat comfortably.
Better is possible.
At Alabama Tongue – Tie Center, we believe your child should never be held back by something so completely treatable. That’s why we exist.
We use advanced laser technology for a precise, quick, sedation-free lip and tongue-tie surgery – a frenectomy for lip-tie that fully releases the restriction. No scissors, no guessing. Just a clean release that lets the lip (and tongue, when needed) move the way they were meant to.
Meet your guides
Dr. Richard Baxter
A board-certified pediatric dentist, diplomate of the American Board of Laser Surgery, internationally recognized speaker, and author of the best-selling book Tongue-Tied. He discovered his own tongue-tie later in life and saw the same restrictions in his three daughters. Now he’s on a mission to help families catch these issues early.
Dr. Brigitte Trego
A board-certified pediatric dentist trained at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. When her own son had nursing troubles from both a lip-tie and posterior tongue-tie, the release changed everything. She brings that personal experience and gentle expertise to every family she serves.
Incredible progress we’ve seen
After a proper release, parents tell us:
- Babies finally get a deeper latch with less leaking and less pain for mom.
- Reflux, gas, and colic calm down because baby isn’t swallowing so much air.
- Toddlers stop fighting tooth-brushing and start smiling big with those front teeth.
- Speech sounds that were tricky become clearer.
- Kids just seem happier and more comfortable overall.
Here’s exactly how it works
Schedule a Consult
No referral needed. Flexible payment options available. Pick a time that works for your family.
Get a Complete Assessment
We listen to your story, examine your child, and explain exactly what’s going on – whether it’s a lip-tie, tongue-tie, or both.
Support Your Current Team
If a release is recommended, we can often do it the same day. We’ll share notes with your pediatric speech therapist or feeding therapist so everyone stays on the same page.
Ready to help your child eat, smile, and thrive?
- Schedule A Consult today. Or take our quick quiz to assess your child’s symptoms in under a minute.
- We see families from Birmingham, all over Alabama, and even from across the country because results like these are worth the trip. One visit is usually all it takes.
- You’ve got good instincts. Trust them. We’re here to turn that “something feels off” feeling into real relief.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to tell if baby has lip tie?
Look for a tight upper lip that won’t flange outward, milk leaking from the corners of the mouth, clicking during feeds, or a gap between the front teeth as your child grows. If feeds feel frustrating or inefficient, it’s worth getting checked by a pediatric dentist for lip-tie.
What does a lip tie look like?
When you lift the upper lip, the frenulum often pulls tight and blanches the gums. In newborns the lip stays curled under; in toddlers it can make the top teeth hard to brush or create a visible space between the centrals.
Does lip tie affect feeding?
Yes. A restrictive lip-tie prevents a good seal, so babies take in extra air and have trouble transferring milk efficiently. This leads to longer feeds, more fussiness, reflux, and sometimes slower weight gain.
Can a lip tie affect speech?
It can limit the movement needed for certain sounds (especially B, P, M, W). Many parents notice clearer speech after a proper frenectomy for lip-tie.
Are lip ties genetic?
They often run in families. If you or siblings have had a tie, your baby has a higher chance of having one too.
How long does recovery take after frenectomy for lip tie?
With our laser technique, most babies and toddlers heal quickly - usually within 1-2 weeks for the main discomfort to pass, with full healing in a few weeks. We give you simple stretches to do at home.
We often treat tongue-tie and lip-tie together - why?
Because they frequently occur as a team and feed off each other. Releasing both at once in a lip and tongue-tie surgery gives the best functional improvement so your child can latch, swallow, and move the mouth comfortably.
Take the Quiz
Alabama Tongue-Tie Center
Dr. Richard Baxter & Dr. Brigitte Trego