Parents often notice a band of tissue joining their baby’s upper lip to the gum and wonder if it is a lip tie. Everyone has some of this tissue, called a frenulum. In many babies it looks prominent but causes no problems at all. This guide explains lip tie and tongue tie, the signs that may matter, and when treatment is usually considered.
What is a lip tie?
A lip tie is when the upper lip frenulum is short, thick or attached low on the gum, which may limit how freely the upper lip moves. Small bands of tissue between the cheek and gums are sometimes called buccal ties.
What is a tongue tie?
Tongue tie (ankyloglossia) is when the frenulum under the tongue is short or tight, limiting how far the tongue can lift and move. Tongue tie is better understood than lip tie, and it is more often linked to feeding difficulties.
Signs a tie may be causing problems
In babies:
- Difficulty latching or staying attached during breastfeeding
- Clicking sounds, long or very frequent feeds, or poor weight gain
- Nipple pain or damage for the breastfeeding parent
In older children:
- A gap between the upper front teeth
- Food trapping and difficulty cleaning the upper front teeth
- Difficulty moving the tongue, licking the lips, or with certain speech sounds (tongue tie)
Feeding problems have many possible causes, so a visible frenulum does not by itself mean it is the cause.
How is lip tie or tongue tie assessed?
If your baby has feeding difficulties, start with your GP, child and family health nurse or a lactation consultant, who can assess feeding as a whole. Older children can be checked by a dentist during a routine visit. At Penrith Dental Care we look at the frenulum as part of children’s check-ups and can refer you to a suitable practitioner if treatment may be needed.
Treatment options
- No treatment – often the right choice when a tie is not causing problems. The appearance of the lip frenulum also changes as children grow.
- Frenotomy – a quick release of the tissue, most often considered for tongue tie in babies with confirmed feeding problems.
- Frenectomy – removal or repositioning of the tissue in older children, sometimes coordinated with orthodontic treatment if there is a gap between the front teeth.
The evidence that releasing a lip tie improves breastfeeding is limited, so any procedure should follow a proper feeding assessment rather than appearance alone.
Looking after your child’s teeth
Whether or not your child has a tie, regular check-ups help spot problems early. Eligible children may be covered under the Child Dental Benefits Schedule. Find out more about our children’s dentistry in Penrith.
Questions about your child’s mouth?
If something in your mouth is not healing or you are unsure what it is, the team at Penrith Dental Care can take a look. Call (02) 4733 1197 or book an appointment online.
For more general health information, see Pregnancy, Birth and Baby: tongue-tie.
Related reading
- Your child’s first dental visit
- Brushing Baby Teeth: A Guide for Parents
- Tooth decay in children
- Kids Dentist Penrith
Looking for more dental health tips? Browse all articles on the Penrith Dental Care blog, or meet the Penrith Dental Care team. Have a question? See our dental FAQ.
This article is general information and does not replace advice from your own dental practitioner.