Blog
Tongue- and lip-tie issues can be complex. We’re here to present the latest thinking on tongue-ties in a clear and easy-to-read format. We hope these thoughts are helpful whether you are a patient, professional, or family member as you learn more on your journey.
Teen Mom 2 & Tongue-Ties
We were featured in this article about a frustrated mom's tongue-tie struggles yesterday. (The "female doctor", is me, they got confused...) Here's a quick note to dentists and providers. Always listen to mom's story. She will tell you what is wrong. Having a poor...
General Anesthesia Is Not Needed For a Tongue-Tie Procedure
General Anesthesia (GA) is not needed to treat a tongue-tie in babies (or kids or adults for that matter!) This patient came to us yesterday and told us that their ENT said they would need a barium swallow and would need to have the procedure completed under GA due to...
Is This a Tongue-Tie?
The answer is "It depends..." We get asked this question via email all the time, and it's a common question on Facebook groups, or just in clinical practice. There are three possible diagnoses when you look in the mouth: 1. Normal frenum (if no symptoms, minimal or no...
What is a Buccal Tie?
There are 7 frena in the mouth, and four of them are in the cheeks, and referred to as "buccal frena."A frenum is considered a "tie" (tongue-tie, lip-tie) when it causes a problem. Otherwise, it is a "normal frenum. So a buccal tie is an abnormally tight frenum in the...
Why You Need To Get Patients Back For Follow-Up
Follow up is critical in dentistry and medicine. When treating a patient who is tongue-tied, it’s important to ensure it did not grow back together, important to ensure the patient saw improvements, and if not, determine what other team members the patient needs to...
Is Your Tongue Resting On Your Palate?
Is it down in your mandible, in the middle of your mouth, or resting on your palate? You might be surprised at the answer! My tongue rested down for 30 years, and I thought that was normal. They don't teach this concept in dental school. Gravity pulls the tongue down...
Are Stretches or Exercises Necessary After a Tongue-Tie Release?
We hear patients ask this question commonly, and there may be some confusion about it because some providers say that stretches are not needed, or are "overkill". The worst part of having your child's tongue-tie release is the stretches (because we make the procedure...
What’s the Best Tool to Use to Treat a Tongue-Tie?
Let’s go over the different tool types and the pros/cons of each. I hope this is informative for those looking to start performing these procedures, or for parents who are choosing a provider for their child. Tongue-ties have been performed for millennia, but it’s...
How Do You Treat a Tongue-Tie Properly?
How To Treat a Tongue-Tie Properly Clearly, there is more to treatment than can fit in one post, but here are the highlights. (To get the full story, we’re now giving free digital access to our bestselling book Tongue-Tied to dentists and therapists.) First, you must...
How Do You Check A Child For a Tongue-Tie Properly?
Last week we discussed how to check an infant for a tongue-tie. Young children are typically more difficult to check for a tongue-tie, but this age group can often have incredible results if it is released properly and fully, and aftercare exercises and stretches are...