Tongue and Lip Tie: Frequently Asked Questions

If my child has a lip tie, what are the chances that they also have a tongue tie?

• There is a very high chance that your child may also have a tongue tie 

• This does not mean that both the tongue tie and lip tie need to be treated.

• Treatment will depend on the signs and symptoms

What is better, using a laser or scissors for tongue tie release?

•  In the hands of an experienced clinician it should not matter what method is used to release the tongue/lip tie

• Both procedures will produce excellent results if done correctly

What do you do after the tongue/lip tie procedure?

• The Dentist will inform parents about certain exercises (e.g. stretches) that they should perform on the child.

• This will prevent reattachment and promote healing. 

• They can be done while the child is awake or asleep 

• The child should also be brought in for a review appointment to assess that everything is going to plan and healing well.  

Can a tongue tie cause speech problems?

• Not everyone who has a tongue tie will have speech problems - it is usually case based. That being said, it is very common though. 

• The most affected letters are CH, TH, SH, S, L and R sounds 

• There is an improvement in speech following tongue tie release

When can I expect to see Improvements in breastfeeding?

• Typically you will see an improvement straight away following release, however it could take as long as a week to show

• We recommend that you also seek assistance from a lactation nurse after the procedure

• At Pain Free Dentist Sydney we can recommend a lactation nurse for you if you do not have one already

Are stitches necessary following a tongue or lip tie release?

• For children stitches are not necessary however for adult tongue tie release they may be needed.

• It all depends on the degree of tongue tie that will be released. You will be informed whether or not you will need stitches at your initial consultation  

We hope that this has helped answer some of your questions! If you have any other questions in regards to tongue or lip ties, please do not hesitate to call us on (02) 9558 8988.

Adult Tongue Tie

You are probably aware of what a tongue tie is if you have read our previous blog posts. It is essentially a condition that you are born with where your tongue has limited movement due to a shortened piece of skin which connects the underside of your tongue to the floor of the mouth. This is usually an issue that is apparent in infants; however it is also prevalent in the adult population. Many adults have gone through life with an un-diagnosed tongue tie. This may seem as an irrelevant issue; however you would be surprised to know just how many different symptoms it could cause ranging from social to sleeping and dental problems such as:

• Inability to open mouth widely which affects pronunciation of certain letters and inability to speak clearly when talking fast or loud.

• Pain or clicking in one or both jaw joints

• Headaches or migraines.

• Chronic neck, back and shoulder pain.

• Increased risk for developing gum inflammation and cavities.

• Mouth breathing leading to frequently dry mouth.

• Sleep apnea which affects the quality of your sleep. You may be waking up tired often and have an increased need to take afternoon naps.

• Crooked teeth

 A good way to test whether or not your tongue is tied is by opening your mouth to it's full extent and then extending the tip of your tongue to the roof of your mouth just behind your front teeth. If you are unable to do this, then there is a possibility that you are tongue tied and you should probably book an appointment with your Dentist for a full examination. 

Treatment of the adult tongue involves a procedure using a laser where the piece of skin restricting the tongue movement is released. At Pain Free Dentist Sydney, in the hands of our experienced clinician you are guaranteed to have a pain free experience. Post operative care involves performing a range of simple exercises for a period of time to prevent re-attachment and scaring. 

If you have any questions in regards to adult tongue ties or suspect that you may have this condition feel free to call us on (02) 9558 8988 to book a consultation appointment.

Causes of Clicking during Breastfeeding

Have you noticed that your baby makes a clicking sound while they are nursing? This usually indicated that the seal or suction is being broken numerous times as the baby feeds. There are many reasons as to why this issue occurs and you must evaluate the symptoms that you and the baby are experiencing and inform your lactation nurse.

When the mother is comfortable (i.e. she is not experiencing any nipple soreness or pain) and the baby is growing and gaining adequate weight relative to their age then there is probably no reason to worry about this. However, if the mother is experiencing discomfort as a result of breastfeeding, and the baby is losing weight than the underlying issue must be identified.

Some causes of clicking during breastfeeding include poor positioning, poor latching, breast milk oversupply, fast let down, teething, ear infections and intraoral infections such as thrush.

Anatomical variations in the baby’s mouth can also cause clicking however this is a less common reason. Such variations include, tongue and lip tie as the baby will not be able to maintain adequate seal during feeding. Furthermore, highly arched palates and clefts of the soft palates can also be a reason of clicking during breastfeeding.

In conclusion, if you find that your baby is clicking during feeding, do not worry. It is always a good idea to consult your lactation nurse to rule out any problems. 

If you have any questions or would like to book an appointment please call us on (02) 9558 8988

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