A busy toddler pulling away mid-bottle, a newborn who can’t seem to latch no matter how many positions you try, or a preschooler mixing up sounds that other kids their age say with ease are all moments that can leave a parent wondering if something more is going on beneath the surface. For some families, the answer turns out to be a tongue or lip tie.
At All Star Kidz Pediatrics, we now offer tongue and lip tie release procedures for the children we see throughout Las Vegas, Henderson, North Las Vegas, and the surrounding communities. If you have been told your child might have a tie, or you have simply noticed some of the signs yourself, we want you to feel informed and prepared before your visit.
What Is a Tongue or Lip Tie?
A tongue tie, known clinically as ankyloglossia, happens when the thin band of tissue connecting the tongue to the floor of the mouth is shorter or tighter than usual. A lip tie is similar, but it involves the tissue connecting the upper lip to the gums. Both can restrict normal movement, and according to research published through the National Library of Medicine, tongue tie is estimated to affect between roughly one and 11% of babies, with rates varying depending on how strictly the condition is defined.
Not every child with a tie needs treatment. Some ties are mild enough that they cause no trouble at all, and a portion of them loosen naturally as a child grows. We look closely at how the tissue is affecting your child’s daily function before recommending a release.
Signs Parents May Notice
A tie can show up differently depending on your child’s age. In infants, feeding is often where families notice something first. In older children, the signs tend to shift toward speech and eating patterns. You may notice:
- Feeding difficulty: Trouble latching, frequent unlatching, long feeding sessions, or slow weight gain in infants.
- Speech patterns: Difficulty pronouncing certain sounds, such as those made with the tip of the tongue against the roof of the mouth.
- Restricted movement: A tongue that can’t lift toward the roof of the mouth or extend past the lower lip.
- Eating habits: Picky eating, gagging on certain textures, or taking unusually long to finish meals.
If you recognize some of these, it may be worth bringing them up at your child’s next visit so we can take a closer look together.
What Happens During the Procedure?
If we determine a release is the right step for your child, the procedure itself is brief. We numb the area first so your child is as comfortable as possible, and the release of the tissue typically takes only a few moments to complete. Most infants and young children are back in a parent’s arms within minutes of the procedure ending.
Afterward, we go through simple aftercare instructions, which usually involve gentle stretching exercises to keep the tissue from reattaching as it heals, along with guidance on feeding in the days that follow. Mild fussiness or a small amount of discomfort right after the release is normal, and most children return to their usual feeding and eating habits within a short time. For children who need extra support to stay calm during any dental visit, we also offer pediatric sedation dentistry to keep the experience as comfortable as possible.
We understand that some children come to us with more complex medical needs, and in those cases, we may discuss options such as general anesthesia to keep your child as relaxed and safe as possible throughout treatment.
When to Talk to Your Pediatric Dentist
If you are unsure whether your child’s tongue or lip movement falls within a typical range, that uncertainty alone is a good enough reason to schedule a visit. We will take a full look at your child’s mouth, and in some cases we may also recommend dental X-rays to better understand what is happening beneath the surface before making any recommendations.
Every child develops a little differently, and a tie that affects one child’s feeding may cause no trouble at all for another. Our goal is to help you understand what you are seeing and give you a clear picture of what treatment, if any, makes sense.
Schedule a Visit With All Star Kidz Pediatrics
Dr. Christopher Lamb is a board certified pediatric dentist and a Diplomat of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry, the highest level of training a pediatric dentist can pursue. He and our team have spent years building a practice where children feel comfortable, where parents feel heard, and where care is never rushed through like just another appointment on a schedule. We accept all major insurance plans, including Medicaid, and we want every family who reaches out to us to feel supported from the very first conversation.
If you have noticed feeding struggles, speech concerns, or restricted tongue movement in your child, we would love the chance to take a look and review your options together. You can reach out anytime through our contact form to schedule a visit.
