Services Pediatrics Tongue and Lip Ties

Tongue and Lip Ties

When diagnosed and treated correctly, tongue and lip ties can be corrected quickly. Hattiesburg Clinic has extensive knowledge and experience treating infants.

Tongue and Lip Tie Overview

You may be surprised to learn that tongue and lip ties are very common in infants and children. These ties are present at birth and can cause challenges for you and your little one if left undiagnosed. Tongue and lip ties refer to the tightness and length of the skin beneath the tongue and above the upper lip. When diagnosed and treated correctly, these ties can be corrected quickly.

Many parents have come to us after noticing their baby may be struggling with feeding, speech development and weight gain. When you come in to meet with our team, our pediatricians will evaluate your little one to determine if a tongue or lip tie is present, and if so, the severity of that tie. If treatment is needed, rest assured that the experts at Hattiesburg Clinic have a wealth of knowledge and experience treating infants.

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What is a tongue tie?
What is a lip tie?
Symptoms of Tongue and Lip Ties
How are tongue and lip ties treated?
Contact Our Pediatric Team

What is a tongue tie?

Also known as Ankyloglossia, tongue ties occur when the thin piece of skin under the tongue is too short or too tight. This can restrict the range of motion of the tongue. The frenectomy procedure used to correct tongue ties often provides immediate relief.

What is a lip tie?

Lip ties, officially known as Labial Frenulum Ties, refer to the tightness and length of the tissue that attaches your upper lip to your upper gum. In some cases, the tie may even pull the gums from the teeth. The frenectomy procedure is used to correct lip ties and provides immediate relief for most children.

Symptoms of Tongue and Lip Ties

The symptoms of tongue and lip ties differ from baby to baby depending on the severity of the tie. Some of the more common challenges we see are with:

Breastfeeding – Latch issues during breastfeeding may point to a potential issue. A proper latch can often be difficult when a tongue or lip tie is present. This is because a shallow latch can make it difficult to maintain the proper feeding position. We often hear from moms that breastfeeding can be painful or uncomfortable when a latch issue is present.
Weight Gain – When a baby experiences challenges with latching, it may be difficult to receive the proper nutrition. Our doctors will be able to help determine if a latch issue may be causing issues with weight gain.
Speech Development – Restricted tongue and lip motion may lead to speech difficulties for children. Range of motion in the tongue and lips is imperative for pronouncing certain sounds and words.
Oral Hygiene – Ties may make it difficult to clean and reach certain areas of a child’s mouth. Children may also experience gum inflammation and gingivitis.
Other – Many unique symptoms may come from a tongue or lip tie. Talk to our professionals about your child’s specific symptoms today.

How are tongue and lip ties treated?

Both conditions are treated with a quick, simple procedure called a frenectomy. The procedure is typically painless and does not cause a lot of bleeding. The procedure involves a small cut of the tissue below the tongue or above the lip to allow for additional movement and range. Our team will work with parents to ensure proper therapy and healing after the procedure.