Articles
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. For more insights, go to TongueTie.com.
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...
How Do You Check a Baby For a Lip-Tie and Tongue-Tie Properly?
How to Check an Infant for a Lip-Tie and Tongue-Tie Properly Many dentists are asked to evaluate infants for a lip-tie or tongue-tie by concerned parents, but...
What is a “Posterior Tongue-Tie”?
What is a “posterior” tongue-tie? We are taught in school that a tongue-tie is when the tongue is tied down to the tip. This is what pediatricians, dentists,...
What Symptoms Does a Tongue-Tie Cause?
Tongue-Tie Tips #2 This week, we’re going to talk about symptoms a tongue-tie can cause. Did any of you check for restricted tongues on your patients last...
Tongue-Tie Tips #1
Tongue-Tie Tips #1 Hello everyone! I am going to be posting pearls every week to help you identify patients with tongue restrictions, and in the coming weeks...
4 Ways To Tell If Your Child Has A Tongue-Tie And What To Do About It
It seems that everywhere you read online, a tongue-tie seems to be one of the first issues suggested when babies can’t eat or kids can’t speak well. Let’s go...
COVID-19 UPDATE 4/30/20
We will be open treating all patients starting on Monday, May 4! We have our team members here today and Friday answering your calls to schedule an...
Top 8 Myths About Tongue-Tie Treatment
These tongue-tie myths are repeated all too often. Medical professionals, dental professionals, therapists, friends, and family are prone to repeat these myths when they have not had up-to-date education on the topic. Educate yourself and others, or check out our longer articles on the subject, Part 1 and Part 2. 1. “A Clip or a Snip with Scissors Is Enough” Often a snip or clip leaves thick tissue behind and will need a second proper release. The patient often sees some improvement, but the standard “clip” without post-op exercises is likely to be incomplete or grow back. A full release of restricted fascia will allow better function and symptom resolution. The laser allows complete visualization of the surgical area with typically no bleeding and ultimate precision, so we get all the tight tissue while protecting important structures under the tongue. 2. “The Tongue-Tie Will Stretch Out” The tongue-tie is comprised of a thick webbing of fascia (mainly type 1 collagen fibers) that stretches less than 1%. If left untreated, it will persist into adulthood, and although some children can remarkably compensate with a tight tongue, no child should have to miss out on proper development and struggle with daily […]
“The Tongue-Tie Will Stretch Out” And Other Common Myths, Part 2.
Read the first four myths here. Myth #5: “The tongue-tie will stretch, or the child will fall and break it, so it doesn’t need to be treated.” That would be nice if it just stretched out, so we could “wait and see.” Unfortunately, this is not the case. The frenum is made of a thick webbing of fascia (connective tissue) that is itself made of dense type 1 collagen bundles, which happens to be resistant to stretching. So the most stretching you might get would be 1%, but it will not disappear, stretch out, or change over time without intervention. 38 year old with a to-the-tip tie. She did not have speech difficulty, but she had many other issues she didn’t know were related. If your fingers are stuck together, they will not separate magically. Neither will a tongue-tie. We see 30-year-olds, 50-year-olds, even 70-year-olds still with a tight-as-ever tongue-tie. You can certainly survive with a tongue-tie, but you may have compromised function and difficulty with chewing, speech, and sleep; neck and shoulder pain; and even headaches. 36 year old who was “clipped” as a baby. And after a proper release. A child may fall and rip the lip […]