Tongue & Lip Ties

Tethered oral tissues (TOTs), otherwise known as tongue, lip, and buccal ties, can impact movements needed for feeding, chewing, swallowing, breathing, sleeping, and speech. If you suspect TOTs, a functional assessment is highly recommended to assess how these restriction(s) impact your skills and to determine an individualized treatment plan. If a release is recommended, your treatment plan will involve interdisciplinary care, pre/post op therapy, and support.

COMMON SYMPTOMS:

Infants: reflux, gassy, colic, hiccups, shallow latch, frequently pops off the breast and/or bottle, milk loss, munching on breast or bottle nipple, poor weight gain, clicking/smacking noises while feeding, excessive drooling, gagging or choking on milk, combative behaviors, lip blisters, falls asleep while feeding, snoring, noisy breathing, mouth breathing, congestion

Nursing mother: extended feeds, baby prefers one breast over another, lipstick shaped, cracked, and/or blistered nipples, incomplete breast drainage, engorgement, nipple shield required, mastitis, compromised milk supply

Kids & Adults: open mouth posture, mouth breathing, neck and/or back tension or pain, snoring, OSA, speech difficulties, clicking or popping jaw, clenching or grinding teeth, high/narrow palate, sinus issues, tension headaches or migraines, hyperactivity or inattention, sleep concerns including restlessness, wakes up tired, bed wetting, atypical feeding behaviors including gagging, choking, stuffing, refusing.