What Is Tongue-Tie?
Tongue-tie, clinically known as ankyloglossia, occurs when the lingual frenum is shorter, thicker, or tighter than normal. The lingual frenum is the small tissue band that connects the underside of the tongue to the floor of the mouth. Tongue-tie restricts the tongue's range of motion and can interfere with feeding, speech, swallowing, and oral hygiene.
Tongue-tie affects people of all ages. Newborns can experience difficulty feeding, and adults who have lived with undiagnosed or untreated conditions for years can have problems with oral hygiene and speech.
What is Lip-Tie?
A lip tie occurs when the labial frenum, the tissue connecting the upper or lower lip to the gum, is too tight or extends too far down. This can limit lip mobility and affect breastfeeding, oral hygiene, and teeth development. In infants, a lip tie often occurs alongside a tongue-tie and can cause feeding difficulties.
What is Buccal-Tie?
Buccal tie refers to tight bands of tissue on the inside of the cheeks that connect the cheek to the gum. They are less commonly discussed but can contribute to oral tension, feeding difficulties in infants, and restricted cheek movement.
All three conditions affect people of all ages. Newborns may experience difficulty feeding, and older children and adults who have lived with undiagnosed or untreated conditions can face problems with speech, oral hygiene, and comfort.
Signs and Symptoms of Tongue-Tie
Tongue-tie can present differently depending on age and case. Common indicators include:
In infants and newborns:
- Difficulty latching during breastfeeding
- Poor weight gain associated with feeding difficulties
- Prolonged or frequent feeding
- Clicking sounds during feeding
- Maternal nipple pain or damage
- Difficulty forming a seal during bottle feeding (often associated with lip tie)
- Gassiness or wind due to an incomplete seal during feeding
In older children and adults:
- Difficulty moving the tongue to the sides or the roof of the mouth
- Difficulty with certain speech sounds (particularly l, r, t, d, n, th, s, z)
- Challenges with eating certain foods or swallowing
- Dental spacing or hygiene difficulties related to limited tongue mobility
- Oral tension, jaw discomfort, or related myofunctional concerns
- Gum recession near the frenum attachment site
How Can Tongue-Tie, Lip-Tie and Buccal-Tie Be Treated?
Tongue-tie, lip tie, and buccal tie can all be treated across all age groups through a frenectomy, a simple procedure to release the restricted frenum.
During the tongue-tie surgery, our surgeon carefully cuts or releases the frenum using sterile scissors, a scalpel, or a laser. For older children and adults, the procedure is performed under local anaesthesia. For very young children and infants, topical anesthesia is used to ensure comfort throughout.
The procedure is typically completed within minutes. In some cases, dissolvable sutures may be placed depending on the extent of the release. Aftercare guidance is provided to all patients and parents following treatment.
What Are the Benefits of Tongue-Tie Release?
Improved Feeding
For infants, releasing a tongue-tie, lip-tie, or buccal tie can significantly improve both bottle-feeding and breastfeeding. Your child will be able to latch and suckle more effectively, reducing discomfort for both mother and baby and supporting healthy weight gain.
Better Speech and Articulation
When a tongue-tie is a contributing factor, releasing it can improve speech and articulation in children and adults. Restricted tongue movement limits the ability to produce certain sounds, and treatment addresses this at the root cause.
Better Oral Hygiene
Restricted tongue or lip mobility can make it harder to keep the mouth clean. A lip tie, in particular, can trap food and plaque along the gumline, increasing the risk of tooth decay in young children. Frenectomy supports the mouth's natural self-cleansing and enhances the effectiveness of daily hygiene routines.
Improved Swallowing and Comfort
Many patients, particularly older children and adults, report improved ease of swallowing and reduced oral tension following release.
Improved Dental Development
A prominent labial frenum (lip tie) can cause a gap between the upper front teeth and place tension on the gum tissue. Releasing it at the appropriate time, often in coordination with orthodontic treatment, can support better dental alignment and reduce the risk of gum recession.
The Tongue-Tie Treatment Process
Our surgeon will release the tongue using sterile scissors under appropriate anesthesia. The procedure is brief and precise. We prioritised patient comfort.
What to Expect at the Initial Consultation
First, we carry out a thorough clinical assessment of the frenum and tongue mobility, taking into account your symptoms, age, and history. We will confirm whether a surgery is clinically indicated and discuss what you can expect from treatment.
Treatment Planning
We explain the procedure in full and address any questions or concerns. For infants, we will liaise with feeding specialists or lactation consultants where appropriate to ensure a coordinated approach to care.
How to Prepare for Tongue-tie Surgery
During your consultation, we will go over everything you need to do to prepare yourself or your child for surgery.
Before your surgery, please tell your surgeon about any allergies or medical conditions you or your child has. If you are taking any medication, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, or supplements, please inform your surgeon beforehand.
For adult patients, it is best to stop smoking before surgery as soon as possible.
What Happens During the Tongue-tie Surgery?
There are two types of tongue-tie surgery, laser frenectomy and traditional frenectomy. Both are minimally invasive procedures, quick to perform, and well-tolerated across all age groups.
Laser Frenectomy
During a laser frenectomy, a laser is used to gently release the frenum, a small piece of soft tissue that restricts the tongue's movement. Because the laser seals the tissue as it works, there is very little bleeding, and no stitches are required. A local or topical anesthetic is applied beforehand to make the procedure as comfortable as possible. Most patients are in and out within minutes and feel at ease throughout the process.
Traditional Frenectomy
A traditional frenectomy involves using sterile scissors or a scalpel to carefully cut the frenum under local or topical anesthesia. It sounds more invasive than it actually is; just like laser frenectomy, the procedure itself takes just a few minutes. It is well-tolerated by patients of all ages, including newborns. In some cases, a small dissolvable stitch may be placed.
Recovery after Tongue-tie Surgery (Frenectomy)
We provide detailed post-operative instructions, including wound care, stretching exercises where indicated, and guidance on feeding or speech support. Follow-up is arranged to monitor the healing process.
Tips for Aftercare
Recovery from tongue-tie surgery is usually quick and without any complications. However, a little care is needed after the surgery. Here are some simple things to keep in mind:
For Infants
- For infants, breastfeeding as soon as possible after the procedure. Breastfeeding straight away is actively encouraged. It helps soothe your baby and supports the healing process.”
For Adults
- Daily stretching exercises. We will show you exactly how to do these. Performing them regularly helps prevent the frenum from reattaching as it heals.
- Expect a small amount of white or yellow tissue in the area. This is completely normal and is simply part of the healing process. It is not a sign of infection and should not cause concern.
- Manage any discomfort with age-appropriate pain relief. Mild soreness for a day or two is normal. You can consult with your doctor to give your child a pain relief medication. For adult patients, standard over-the-counter pain relief is usually sufficient.
- Eat soft foods for the first few days. Avoid anything too hot, spicy, or hard while your tongue is still healing.
- Maintain good oral hygiene. Keep the mouth clean and continue brushing your teeth as usual, taking extra care around the treated area. This will help you avoid infections.
- Attend your follow-up appointment. We will schedule a follow-up visit to ensure everything is healing well and to answer any questions you may have.
If at any point you are concerned about how the area is healing, do not hesitate to get in touch with us. We are always happy to help.
What are the Potential Risks or Complications of the Tongue-tie Surgery (Frenectomy)?
Frenectomy is a relatively simple procedure that has a low risk of complications. However, as with any surgery, complications may occur. Our surgeon will explain all potential risks and complications before the procedure, so you are well-informed. Knowing as much as possible about your surgery will help put your mind at rest, so please ask any questions you may have.
Possible complications specific to tongue-tie surgery include:
- Bleeding
- Infection
- Damage to the tongue or salivary glands
- Scarring
Call your oral surgeon immediately if you or your child has any of the following symptoms after surgery:
- Excessive or uncontrolled bleeding
- High Fever (above 38 °C)
- Refusal to feed (in babies)
- Agitation or significant fussiness (in babies)
Why Choose Zental Dental for Frenectomy?
Our oral surgeons are highly skilled and experienced in treating tongue-tie, lip tie, and buccal tie across all age groups, including newborns and anxious young patients. We take a thorough, individualised approach to care and will always confirm whether treatment is clinically appropriate before proceeding.
We also have dental practices located throughout London and Milton Keynes. In London, you can visit our clinics in Barnet, Knightsbridge, Earl's Court, Cricklewood, and Bexleyheath.
Ready to Book an Assessment?
If you are concerned about Tongue-tie in yourself or your child, our oral surgeons are here to help. Book a consultation today to receive a thorough assessment and expert guidance on the most appropriate course of treatment.
