Lip + Tongue Ties (TOTS)

Tethered Oral Tissues (TOTS) can consist of either a tongue tie (ankyloglossia), in which a thin piece of skin under the baby’s tongue is tethered so close to the bottom of the mouth that its range of motion is restricted, and/or a lip tie, where the baby’s upper lip is restricted due to being anchored to the gum. Both tongue and lip ties often occur simultaneously.In the case of a posterior tongue tie, the tie is located deep in the mouth, far underneath the tongue, and isn’t easily visible.

Common Symptom for your little:

• A clicking sound while breastfeeding

• Favoring one side while breastfeeding

• Colic, gas or reflux symptoms

• Failure to gain weight/thrive

• Sinus congestion, noisy breathing, snoring

• Several unsuccessful attempts at nursing

• Weak latched, blistered lips

Common Symptoms for Mom:

• Bleeding nipples, severe nipple pain

• Painful latch, cut or cracked nipples

• Flattened, blanched or creased nipples

• Plugged ducts, engorgement, mastitis or thrush

• Failure to bond with infant leading to depression

• Reduced milk production

A tongue tie and/or lip tie can be an overwhelming, stressful and traumatic problem for both mom and baby and can cause an array of problems. At Embody Chiro, we want to help you and your baby through this time. 

What to Expect

Dr. Hannah is highly trained in pre and post lip and tongue tie revision care. She is trained in identifying oral restrictions and will inspect your baby’s mouth for signs of lip and/or tongue tie If TOTS and baby ties are suspected, she will inspect your baby’s mouth for signs and provide resources for taking further action if necessary. She will use the Insight Scan, which is a thermography scan, to see how the TOT is impacting the nervous system. She then will perform a full chiropractic exam. Based on your goals, the TOT and the Insight Scan, Dr. Hannah will come up with a care plan for you and your family. We will also refer you to a lactation consultant if you are not yet with one and local dental specialist who will further address your baby’s needs and treatment options to co-manage care.

Tongue and lip ties are corrected with a frenectomy, a minor procedure to loosen or remove the frenulum tissue, thus allowing the tongue to move more freely and have a wider range of motion. But treatment does not stop here. To prevent the reattachment of tissues, it is critical that families follow post procedure stretching exercises and wound care, as well as pre and post cranial sacral and chiropractic care.

If you suspect your baby may have TOTS, or have questions about chiropractic care for a tongue tie or lip tie please contact us.