We all have these membranes, but for reasons we have not yet figured out, some of them just aren’t long enough or flexible enough for proper function. The main symptoms relate to feeding, speaking, swallowing and breathing. With a thorough and proper examination by a highly trained pediatric dentist (the only doctors trained to assess properly), some of these tight membranes, (called frenum or frenulum) will allow correct movement only with a minor surgical release with a laser, called a frenectomy or frenotomy.

Since 1984, Greg Notestine, DDS has been successfully treating tongue- tied infants and now limits his practice to diagnosing and treating newborns and infants, and teaching and lecturing about tongue-tie and other oral restrictions, (collectively referred to as TOTS—Tethered Oral Tissues). People travel great distances for his care and expertise and we are honored to work along side him in our clinic as we provide you and your baby the very best care.

Some of the signs that ties may be involved—at the breast or bottle:

• Shallow latch

• Long, ineffective feedings

• Short, frequent ineffective feedings

• Falls asleep before feeding is over

• Fussy, moving, pushing away while at the breast

• Clicking smacking sounds, leaking milk, breaking seal

• On and off the breast, no rhythmic suck swallow breath

• Swallowing air, colic/reflux/throws up

• Frequent hiccups

• Poor weight gain even though feeding for long periods of time

• Lips curl under while feeding

• Mouth-breathing, noisy breathing, snoring

• Calloused lips

• Heavy white coating on the tongue

• Excessive gag reflex
   

Some of the breastfeeding signs that ties may be involved:

• Sore nipples

• Misshapen nipples after a feeding

• Cracked, bleeding, blanched, blistered nipples

• Plugged ducts, mastitis, thrush

We are a collective of lactation specialists, Internationally Board Certified Lactation Consultants, craniosacral therapists Midwives, massage therapists, and Doulas, here to support you in your breastfeeding journey.

We are honored to provide comprehensive lactation support, bodywork and craniosacral care, as well as Tethered Oral Tissue laser releases provided by Tethered Oral Ties expert, Greg Notestine, DDS.

• Difficulty chewing/swallowing/ gagging with solid foods

• Very picky with food textures

• Can’t protrude tongue easily

• Delayed speech

• Mouth-breathing/snoring/noisy breathing

• Upper and lower teeth not fitting together properly (Open bite, crossbite)

• Excessive gag reflex

• Enlarged tonsils from the irritation of mouth breathing

• Serial ear infections/need tubes

• Reflux

• Poor sleep resulting in an ADD or ADHD diagnosis

A physical condition that limits the use of the tongue is called a tongue-tie. This restriction often causes a range of issues and affects around 20% of the population. A lip-tie, on the other hand, is a condition where the upper lip is restricted and cannot move normally. It can cause difficulty with nursing, make it harder to brush the top teeth and can also lead to a gap in the teeth.
 

The tongue and lip are made up of a very complex group of muscles and are important for all oral functions. For this reason, having a tongue- or lip-tie can lead to nursing, feeding, dental, speech, sleep, or breathing problems. Problems can even persist into adulthood with sleep issues, headaches, neck pain, shoulder pain, and speech problems.