Did you know that being tongue tied is not just an expression? For many people, this is an actual medical condition, and a similar one is being lip-tied. We all have thin, stretchy pieces of tissue that connect our tongues to the floor of our mouths and our lips to our gums. Sometimes those pieces of tissue are unusually thick, tight or short, which can in turn restrict the movement of the lip or tongue.

Someone with a tongue tie might not be able to touch the roof of their mouth with their tongue, making it hard to chew, swallow, or enunciate words clearly and effectively. Someone with a lip tie might have a big gap between their two front teeth and be at higher risk of gum recession. An individual with a lip tie may also show less of their upper teeth when smiling. Babies with a lip or tongue tie often struggle to latch effectively to breastfeed.

The treatment for a lip or tongue tie is a frenectomy, a quick and simple procedure with a short recovery period. It is usually performed by a periodontist or oral surgeon. After the area is numbed, a small incision (sometimes made with a laser) releases the tissue, which stops all of the symptoms. Super easy and predictable!

If you believe you or your child have a lip or tongue tie, schedule a dental or orthodontic appointment so that your dental professional can verify it and make a plan for how to correct it. Don’t let it continue to get in the way!