Infant and Toddler Laser Frenectomy
in Orlando
Feeding your baby—whether by breast, bottle, or both—can be a deeply meaningful experience, but it’s not always easy. Some parents may notice signs of discomfort, difficulty latching, or concerns about their baby’s ability to feed effectively. In some cases, these challenges may be related to a tongue or lip tie, which can affect optimal oral movement and make feeding more difficult. A frenectomy is a gentle surgical procedure that can help improve oral function and comfort for both you and your baby. As a mom who experienced firsthand the challenges of lip and tongue ties with her own daughter, Dr. Danielle feels it is important to offer these procedures to support you and your baby’s feeding journey. We collaborate with other experts such as lactation consultants (IBCLC), feeding specialists (trained SLP’s or OT’s), and bodywork specialists (PT, chiropractors, and craniosacral therapists) to ensure the best outcomes for your little one. If you’re feeling unsure or have questions, we’re here to listen, support you, and help you find the best path forward.
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What is a tongue tie?
Pediatric Dentist Orlando
In about 5-10% of babies, the natural separation of the tongue from the floor of the mouth is disrupted during development. This results in a short or restrictive frenulum. The severity can vary, with some cases significantly limiting tongue movement, potentially affecting feeding, oral motor development, and even breathing. Known as ankyloglossia, or tongue tie, this condition is hereditary. However, diagnosis should be based on functional limitations rather than just the presence of a frenulum. A thorough assessment by an experienced provider, often in collaboration with feeding specialists, is essential to determine whether treatment is necessary.
What is a lingual frenulum?
Pediatric Dentist Orlando
During early development, the tongue is initially fused to the floor of the mouth. By around the eighth week in utero when the tongue is fully formed, it begins to separate from the base of the mouth, allowing for greater movement. The lingual frenulum is the small band of tissue beneath the tongue that remains, helping to support and control its movement. EVERYONE is born with this structure!
Why is tongue posture important for breathing and orofacial development?
Pediatric Dentist Orlando
For optimal nasal breathing, the tongue needs to rest gently against the roof of the mouth. Breathing through the nose helps the body by filtering, warming, and humidifying the air, which can improve oxygen flow. However, a tongue tie can restrict the tongue’s natural movement, pulling it downward and preventing it from contacting the palate. This low tongue position can interfere with proper breathing and may contribute to snoring or sleep disordered breathing.
When the tongue rests correctly against the palate, and the lips are properly sealed, the pressure helps guide the natural development of the upper jaw. Research shows that children with untreated tongue ties can experience abnormal tongue function, which may impact facial development and increase the risk of sleep-related breathing issues.
How can a tongue tie affect breast and bottle feeding?
Pediatric Dentist Orlando
In the early weeks and months of life, a baby’s tongue needs to move freely in order to effectively create suction to draw milk from the breast. The front and middle parts of the tongue help cup and compress the breast tissue, while the middle-to-back portion creates the vacuum needed to pull milk out.
When a baby has a tongue tie, they may struggle to get a deep latch, which can cause nipple pain or damage to the parent. If the tongue can’t reach up and over the lower gums, latching might feel uncomfortable, and staying latched can be difficult. As a result, some babies may spend long periods nursing without actually getting enough milk.
Poor suction due to a restricted tongue can lead to frequent loss of the seal at the breast or bottle, causing milk to leak from the sides of the mouth. This may also cause the baby to swallow air, which can lead to gas, discomfort, fussiness, and signs of reflux or colic. Tongue ties can interfere with the coordination of oral muscles and make feeding less effective, whether nursing or bottle-feeding.
What is a labial frenulum?
Pediatric Dentist Orlando
All babies are born with a small band of tissue under the upper lip called the labial frenulum. This connective tissue helps keep the lip in place, anchoring it to the upper jaw, and plays a role in proper lip movement and facial development. It’s completely normal for the frenulum to attach low on the gums near the front teeth—this is seen in nearly 90% of newborns. As a child grows and the jaw continues to develop, this attachment point often moves higher up naturally over time.
What is a lip tie and how can it affect feeding?
Pediatric Dentist Orlando
If the tissue under the upper lip (labial frenulum) is too tight, it can interfere with a baby’s ability to form a proper seal around the breast or bottle nipple. This may cause the baby to swallow excess air during feedings, which can lead to gas, reflux, or nipple pain/damage for breastfeeding mothers due to added tension from the upper lip.
Ideally, the upper lip should stay relaxed and gently curved around a breast or bottle nipple to help keep milk from leaking out. As children grow, a tight upper lip tie may also make it harder for toddlers to drink from a straw, clean food off a spoon, or adequately brush the front teeth leading to cavity formation.
Signs and Symptoms of Lip and Tongue Ties
Pediatric Dentist Orlando
Infants May Exhibit
- Poor weight gain
- Reflux or frequent spitting up
- Excess air intake causing frequent gassiness and fussiness
- Clicking or smacking noises when eating due to frequent loss of suction
- Dribbling milk out of mouth
- Frustration when eating inability to hold a pacifier
- Prolonged nursing or bottle-feeding sessions where baby still seems unsatisfied
- Coughing or gagging during feeds from lack of proper tongue coordination
- Snoring, mouth breathing, frequent waking due to low tongue posture
Toddlers may exhibit
- Frequent choking or gagging
- Difficulty swallowing certain foods, textures, and saliva
- Slow eating or only eating small amounts of food
- Packing food in the cheeks like a chipmunk
- History of frequent ear infections or ear tubes
- Bruxism (teeth grinding), snoring, or mouth breathing
- Sleep-disordered breathing (frequent night waking, restlessness, bed-wetting, and failure to feel refreshed upon waking in the morning)
Mothers may experience
- Painful nursing
- Creased or flattened nipples
- Blistered or damaged nipples
- Incomplete breast drainage
- Plugged ducts or mastitis
- Inability to nurse without using a nipple shield
- Decreased milk supply due to inefficient feeds
A Collaborative Approach to Care
Pediatric Dentist Orlando
Lactation Support
When treating a baby with a lip or tongue tie, a collaborative approach leads to the best outcomes—especially when it comes to feeding. A lactation consultant plays a vital role before and after a frenectomy to help ensure feeding improves safely and effectively.
Before the procedure, a lactation consultant can assess how the tie is affecting nursing or bottle feeding, help with positioning, and offer strategies to maximize milk intake. After the release, they support families through the transition, helping babies re-learn how to latch and suck effectively now that their oral range of motion has changed.
Without this support, some babies may continue to struggle with feeding even after a successful procedure. A lactation consultant ensures that families get the guidance they need for healing, improved feeding function, and overall comfort.
Oral Motor Specialists
When a baby or child undergoes a lip or tongue tie release, proper healing and long-term success depend on more than just the procedure itself. That’s where an oral motor specialist—such as an occupational therapist (OT) or a speech-language pathologist (SLP) with training in oral motor function—comes in.
These specialists help ensure that the muscles of the mouth, tongue, and jaw learn to move properly after the release. A tongue or lip tie often limits normal movement, and over time, a child may develop compensations or inefficient patterns. Simply releasing the tissue doesn’t automatically correct these habits.
An OT or SLP trained in oral motor therapy can work with your child to improve strength, coordination, and range of motion. They also help retrain the tongue and lips to move in ways that support better feeding, speech, breathing, and oral development.
Including an oral motor specialist in your child’s care team helps ensure that the benefits of the release are fully realized and long-lasting.
Bodywork
When a baby or child has a lip or tongue tie, it can cause tension throughout the body—not just in the mouth. That’s why bodyworkers, such as pediatric chiropractors or craniosacral therapists, are often an important part of the care team before and after a tie release.
Over time, restricted oral tissues can lead to tightness in the neck, jaw, shoulders, or even the entire body. Babies may show signs of discomfort during feeding, favor one side when turning their head, or seem unusually fussy. These physical patterns can also affect how a child breathes, feeds, and sleeps.
A skilled bodyworker helps release these areas of tension, allowing the body to function more comfortably and efficiently. When done before a lip or tongue tie release, bodywork can help prepare the muscles and fascia for better results. After the procedure, bodywork can support healing, reduce discomfort, and improve overall mobility and balance in the body.
By including a bodyworker in your child’s care plan, we help support the whole body—not just the mouth—for a more complete and comfortable recovery.
What makes us different
Pediatric Dentist Orlando
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
Pediatric Dentist Orlando
Check out these frequently asked questions, or call us to speak with our team
When should I have my child evaluated for a lip or tongue tie?
It’s a good idea to have your child evaluated if you notice signs of feeding, speech, or oral development challenges. In infants, this may include trouble latching, poor weight gain, clicking sounds while nursing, gas, reflux, or long, tiring feedings. In toddlers and older children, signs can include picky eating, difficulty with certain speech sounds, mouth breathing, or restless sleep.If you have concerns at any age, it’s best to schedule an evaluation. A pediatric dentist trained in tongue and lip ties can assess your child and recommend the best next steps for treatment and support.
How long will it take my child to recover from the procedure?
Most children recover quickly from a frenectomy. Initial healing typically takes about 1 to 2 weeks, but full healing of the tissue may take a few weeks longer. Some mild discomfort, fussiness, or swelling is normal in the first few days.Your child may need gentle stretches or exercises after the procedure to support proper healing and prevent the tissue from reattaching. We’ll provide clear instructions and guide you through the process to make recovery as smooth as possible.
What is normal behavior after my child has had a frenectomy?
After a frenectomy, it’s normal for your child to be a little fussy or uncomfortable for a few days. They might have some mild swelling or soreness around the treated area. Your child may also be a bit more tired or reluctant to eat at first, but this usually improves quickly.Some children may drool more than usual or be sensitive when moving their tongue or lips. These symptoms are temporary and should get better as healing progresses. If you have any concerns, don’t hesitate to reach out for guidance.
Are frenectomies only for infants and toddlers?
No, frenectomies are not just for infants or toddlers. While many procedures are done early to help with feeding and oral development, children and even older kids can benefit from a frenectomy if a lip or tongue tie is causing problems with speech, eating, cavity formation, or affecting orthodontic treatment. Dr. Danielle can evaluate your child at any age and recommend the best treatment plan.
Do I need a referral to have my child evaluated for lip or tongue tie?
No, you don’t need a referral to schedule an evaluation with us. You can contact our office directly to have your child assessed.Sometimes, before proceeding with a frenectomy, we may recommend that your child sees other specialists, such as an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC), an Oral Motor Specialist, or a bodyworker like a chiropractor or craniosacral therapist. These experts can help address feeding, oral function, or body tension issues and work together with us to create the best care plan for your child.
