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When your child struggles with breastfeeding, speech development, or eating challenges, the underlying cause may be a tongue tie or lip tie. These common oral conditions affect the movement and function of the tongue or lips, potentially impacting your child’s ability to eat, speak, and thrive properly.
At Pine Tree Pediatric Dentistry, Portland pediatric dentists Drs. Tesha Waggoner and Audrey Mikkelson understand the concerns parents face when their children experience feeding difficulties or developmental delays. As moms ourselves, we have put endless thought and care into making our dental office a place your child won’t fear or dread, but look forward to visiting! Our pediatric dental team provides comprehensive evaluation and treatment for tongue ties and lip ties, helping children achieve better oral function and overall well-being.
Tongue ties and lip ties are common oral conditions that can significantly impact your child’s daily functioning and development.
A tongue tie, medically known as ankyloglossia, occurs when the tissue connecting the tongue to the floor of the mouth is too tight or thick. This restricts the tongue’s movement and can interfere with essential functions like nursing, eating, swallowing, and speaking.
Lip ties involve similar restrictions with the tissue connecting the upper or lower lip to the gums. These conditions are present from birth and can vary significantly in severity. While some children may experience minor limitations, others face substantial challenges that require professional intervention.
Recognizing the signs of these conditions early can help ensure your child receives appropriate care when it’s most effective.
Infants may struggle with latching during breastfeeding, feed for extended periods without gaining adequate weight, or make clicking sounds while nursing. You might observe that your baby becomes frustrated during feeding times or that breastfeeding causes significant pain for the mother.
As children grow, tongue ties can affect speech development. You may notice difficulty pronouncing certain sounds, particularly those requiring tongue movement like “l,” “r,” “t,” “d,” “n,” “s,” and “z.” Some children develop a lisp or have trouble being understood by others.
Eating challenges may also emerge, including difficulty chewing certain textures, food getting stuck under the tongue, or problems swallowing. Physical signs include a heart-shaped tongue tip when extended, inability to touch the tongue to the roof of the mouth, or a visible thick band of tissue under the tongue.
Addressing tongue ties and lip ties promptly can prevent numerous complications and support your child’s healthy development.
For infants, treatment often leads to improved breastfeeding success, better weight gain, and reduced feeding difficulties. This can significantly decrease stress for both baby and parents while supporting the crucial bonding that occurs during nursing.
Early intervention also supports proper speech development, reducing the likelihood of speech therapy needs later. Children who receive treatment often show improvements in articulation, clarity, and overall communication skills. For older children, we only do tongue releases in conjunction with speech or myofunctional therapy to ensure the best possible results.
Additionally, releasing restrictive tissue can prevent dental problems such as gaps between teeth, poor oral hygiene due to limited tongue movement, and potential bite issues. The social and emotional benefits are equally important, as children who can eat, speak, and express themselves clearly often experience increased confidence and better social interactions with peers.
When conservative approaches aren’t sufficient to address feeding difficulties or speech concerns, surgical intervention may be recommended to release the restrictive tissue.
The primary treatment for significant tongue ties and lip ties is a frenectomy, a minor surgical procedure that releases the restrictive tissue. During the procedure, your child may receive a few stitches to help the incision heal properly.
This outpatient procedure involves carefully cutting or removing the excess tissue to restore normal movement and function. During the procedure, we use local anesthesia to ensure your child’s comfort.
For children who may need additional support, we offer sedation options and maintain privileges at Providence St. Vincent’s Hospital for cases requiring general anesthesia. The actual release takes only a few minutes, and most children recover quickly with minimal discomfort.
We understand that some children may feel anxious about dental procedures, and we’ve designed our practice to address these concerns.
Our office is designed to accommodate children of all abilities, offering helpful tools such as weighted blankets and low lighting to create a calming environment. Children can even watch a movie during their treatment to help them feel more relaxed.
Our in-office dog, Meyers, is great with children of all abilities and often helps put young patients at ease. During treatment appointments, we encourage parents to be silent observers or helpers, allowing our trained team to guide your child through the process using proven techniques designed specifically for pediatric patients.
Proper aftercare following a frenectomy is essential for optimal healing and achieving the best possible results.
We provide detailed instructions for wound care, including gentle stretching exercises to prevent the tissue from reattaching. Pain management typically involves over-the-counter medications, and most children return to normal activities within a day or two.
For infants, you can usually resume breastfeeding immediately after the procedure. Many mothers notice improved latching and feeding efficiency within the first few days.
Speech improvements in older children may take several weeks to months as they learn to use their increased tongue mobility effectively. We provide guidance on exercises and activities that can help accelerate this adaptation process.
Early assessment allows for timely intervention when treatment may be most effective for your child’s development.
If you notice signs of tongue tie or lip tie in your child, scheduling an evaluation with a pediatric dentist experienced in these conditions is important. We recommend evaluation if your infant experiences feeding difficulties, if you notice speech delays or articulation problems in your toddler, or if your child has eating challenges that seem related to tongue or lip movement.
Even if other healthcare providers have dismissed your concerns, seeking a second opinion from a pediatric dental team can provide valuable insights. Trust your instincts as a parent—you know your child best.
Our team takes a thorough approach to assessing tongue ties and lip ties to ensure accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment recommendations.
We begin with a comprehensive examination to assess the severity of the restriction and its impact on your child’s function. This evaluation includes observing feeding or eating patterns, assessing speech development, and examining the oral structures.
We work closely with families to develop individualized treatment plans that consider each child’s age, severity of the condition, and specific challenges. Our doctors bring extensive experience in pediatric dentistry and treating complex oral conditions.
Dr. Tesha Waggoner completed her pediatric dental training at OHSU and maintains privileges at Providence St. Vincent Hospital. Dr. Audrey Mikkelson earned her Master of Science in Dentistry and completed pediatric training at the University of Washington before teaching future pediatric dentists.
If you suspect your child may have a tongue tie or lip tie, early intervention can make a significant difference in their feeding, speech development, and overall quality of life. At Pine Tree Pediatric Dentistry, Drs. Tesha Waggoner brings years of experience treating children of all abilities, and our team is committed to making every visit comfortable and positive for your family.
Our office offers helpful accommodations like weighted blankets, low lighting, and movies during treatment, plus our in-office dog, Meyers, helps create a welcoming atmosphere. We’re proud participants in the Down Syndrome Network Oregon Buddy Walk and supporters of Smile Oregon, reflecting our commitment to serving all children in our community. Contact us today at (503) 292-9274 or schedule a consultation through our contact form to discuss your child’s needs.
