Tongue Tie & Lip Tie Therapy
Our Approach
Speech Therapy and Occupational Therapy
We founded Talk About Therapy because we believe in and love providing intuitive, effective and sustainable therapy to our patients and their families to improve their feeding and communication skills. We pride ourselves in treating our families like they are our own. Our philosophy is to help our patients and their families build a strong functional foundation towards communication and feeding, and slowly build upon that foundation to create lasting results.
❔ FAQ Learn More Here
WHEN SHOULD I SEEK OUT A SPEECH THERAPIST?
WHAT ARE SPEECH DELAYS?
WHAT ARE DEVELOPMENTAL DELAYS?
WHAT ARE ARTICULATION DISORDERS?
WHAT ARE SOME SIGNS OF DIFFICULTIES AT MEAL TIME?
HOW DO I KNOW IF MY INFANT IS HAVING TROUBLE WITH FEEDING AND SWALLOWING?
WHAT IS A TONGUE TIE?
WHAT IS A LIP TIE?
TONGUE TIE VS. LIP TIE
HOW TO TELL IF BABY IS TONGUE OR LIP TIED
HOW CAN A SPEECH THERAPIST HELP?
WHEN SHOULD I SEEK HELP/EVALUATION?
WHAT IS EARLY INTERVENTION AND WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?
What Healthcare Plans Cover Speech Therapy in Georgia?
Pre and Post Tongue Tie Intervention (Frenulectomy) Therapy
Tongue ties, also called Ankyloglossia, are a condition present in up to one-third of children at birth, and restrict the tongue’s range of motion. Tongue ties occur when an unusually strong band of tissue tethers the tongue to the floor of the mouth, and can interfere with breastfeeding, eating, swallowing and speaking in children.
At Talk About Therapy, we specialize in offering tongue tie therapy: we offer pre-intervention evaluation and guidance for tongue and lip ties, and therapy post-surgery, after a tongue or lip tie intervention such as a Frenulectomy has been performed by an expert provider. We can also recommend trusted medical intervention providers. To learn more about tongue and lip ties, how they can affect your children, and how we can help, read below:
What exactly are tongue ties (and lip ties) and are there different types?
Tongue ties (and lip ties) are conditions where the tongue (or lip) is tethered to the mouth by an unusually strong bundle of fibers and has a restricted range of motion as a result. There are 2 types of widely accepted tongue ties, and even a lip tie:
Anterior tongue tie – this type of tongue tie is relatively easy to locate and see because it is close to the child’s gum line. It is most obvious when the child tries to raise their tongue.
Posterior tongue tie – a posterior tongue tie is located further back in the mouth, the biggest challenge exists with identifying a posterior tongue tie and it can cause the same issues as an anterior tongue tie.
Lip tie – a lip tie exists when a band of tissue unusually tethers the upper lip to the gums. Lip ties can occur on or near the Frenulum, which is the soft tissue behind the upper lip connected to the gums.
How can you identify tongue ties or lip ties in your child?
Although tongue ties and lip ties can be difficult to directly and visually identify for parents, there are many common symptoms of the conditions. Some of the primary ones are:
Difficulty breastfeeding
Damage to breast due to breastfeeding
Difficulty feeding
Trouble with speech
Trouble with sleep
Mouth Breathing
Acid reflux
Often many of these symptoms can present together and make basic life functions very challenging for the child and family.
What can you do if you feel your child has a tongue tie or lip tie?
We understand how scary it can be as a parent when your child is having trouble eating or doing other basic functions. If you feel that your child may have a tongue or lip tie, please get in touch with us, we can conduct an in-depth evaluation to help us determine whether a tongue or lip tie is a concern for your child, and recommend next steps, including recommending trusted specialists who can clip the tie by performing a Frenulectomy or similar procedure. Once the tie has been clipped, we can provide continuing post-care and therapy to strengthen and improve your child’s functions.
Pre-Intervention & Therapy
Evaluation:
What can you do if you feel your child has a tongue tie or a lip tie?
We understand how scary it can be as a parent when your child is having trouble eating or with other basic functions. If you feel that your child may have a tongue or lip tie, please get in touch with us, and we can conduct an in-depth evaluation to help determine whether a tongue or lip tie is a concern for your child and recommend next steps. Once the lip tie or tongue tie has been clipped, we can provide continuing post-care and therapy to strengthen and improve your child’s functions.
Different types of tongue tie and lip tie:
Anterior tongue tie – This type of tongue tie is relatively easy to locate and see because it is close to the child’s gum line. It is most obvious when the child tries to raise their tongue.
Posterior tongue tie – A posterior tongue tie is located further back in the mouth, and the biggest challenge exists with identifying a posterior tongue tie as it can cause the same issues as an anterior tongue tie.
Lip tie – A lip tie exists when a band of tissue unusually tethers the upper lip to the gums.
What is a Frenulum?
A Frenulum is the soft tissue behind the upper lip, connected to the gums.
How to find the frenulum:
Look into a mirror and touch your tongue to the roof of your mouth. The fold of tissue you see under your tongue is the lingual frenulum, also called the lingual frenum. This tissue under the tongue can be too short, causing a tongue tie.
Now lift your top lip. This fold of tissue is the labial frenulum or frenum. When this lip tissue is too thick or too tight, it results in a lip tie.
Intervention & Post-Intervention
Intervention:
What is a Frenectomy/Frenulectomy?
Frenectomy tongue intervention, also called a Frenulectomy, is a brief procedure to repair the frenulum using a scalpel and a laser. The procedure typically takes less than 15 minutes. Depending on the age of the child, anesthesia is often not necessary. Since the tissue that is repaired can be referred to interchangeably as the lingual frenum or frenulum, the procedure names are used interchangeably as well.
Post-Intervention:
What to expect after tongue tie release
The recovery period after a new procedure can be unpredictable. Though every child is unique and adapts differently to the changes, we are here to guide you and prepare you for what to expect after tongue tie release.
Baby may not nurse normally immediately due to developed compensatory behaviors
Baby is fussy at the breast, baby is fussy while nursing or confused, fatigued, and irritable during mealtime
Baby may experience achy, stiff muscles or feel discomfort after feeds
For some children, since the breastfeeding issues have been resolved, some may adapt quickly
All babies react differently and undergo a unique journey of recovery; this is why we can help.
It is impossible to know exactly what to expect after tongue tie release, but we can help you be as prepared as possible for what to expect after tongue tie release so that you and your baby can adapt to these changes and re-establish a positive, nurturing routine to foster healthy development.