Tongue/Lip Tie Treatment in Orange County, CA

Up to 11% of newborn babies have tongue ties, and many others have a similar problem called lip tie. Tongue and lip tie can interfere with breastfeeding and could potentially cause dental and speech development issues later. At SCENT – Southern California Ear, Nose, and Throat, the board-certified ENT physicians expertly perform in-office procedures to correct tongue and lip tie. We correct tongue and lip ties at our four convenient locations along the 405, including Long Beach, Los Alamitos, Huntington Beach, and Newport Beach. Call the Southern California ENT office nearest you or book by using the online appointment tool today.

What Is a Tongue Tie?

Tongue tie also known medically as ankyloglossia is a condition present at birth in which the lingual frenulum (the band of tissue connecting the underside of the tongue to the floor of the mouth) is too short, thick, or tight. This restricts the tongue’s range of motion, which can interfere with feeding, speech, swallowing, and oral development.

Up to 11% of newborns have some degree of tongue tie, making it one of the more common oral findings in infants. Tongue tie can range from mild to severe and can run in families.

Types of Tongue Tie

Tongue ties are generally classified into four types based on where the frenulum attaches:

Class 1 (Anterior): The frenulum attaches at or very near the tip of the tongue. The tongue tip may appear heart-shaped or notched.
Class 2: The frenulum attaches just behind the tongue tip. Still relatively visible and anterior.
Class 3: The frenulum attaches in the mid-tongue and restricts movement more significantly.
Class 4 (Posterior): The frenulum is located deeper and may be hidden under the mucous membrane of the floor of the mouth. This is the most commonly missed type it cannot be seen on surface inspection alone and requires a deeper assessment to diagnose. Posterior tongue tie is particularly important to identify because it is often overlooked, yet can cause significant feeding difficulty for both baby and mother.

What Is a Lip Tie?

A lip tie occurs when the band of tissue connecting the upper lip to the gums, the labial frenulum, is too small or tight. Tongue tie and lip tie often appear at the same time, but lip tie is less common.

As with a tongue tie, a lip tie can potentially cause breastfeeding problems. Lip ties may run in families.

Signs and Symptoms

In Breastfeeding Babies

A tongue or lip tie can make breastfeeding genuinely painful and exhausting for both mother and baby. Common signs in infants include:

In the baby:

• Difficulty latching, or repeatedly slipping off the breast
• Clicking or smacking sounds during feeding
• Milk leaking from the corners of the mouth
• Gumming, biting, or clamping at the breast rather than maintaining suction
• Fatigue during feeding, falling asleep before finishing
• Slow weight gain or frequent hunger (not transferring enough milk)
• Excessive gas or colic from swallowing air during feeding
• White coating on the tongue (milk residue that cannot be cleared)
• Lip blisters from compensating for poor suction

In the nursing mother:

• Nipple pain during and after feeding
• Nipple that appears flattened, creased, or lipstick-shaped when baby comes off the breast
• Cracked, bleeding, or damaged nipples
• Low milk supply due to ineffective milk transfer
• Recurrent blocked ducts or mastitis
• Feeling like feeds are never-ending or that baby is always hungry

In Older Children

Tongue tie that goes unaddressed in infancy may present differently as children grow:

• Speech difficulties, particularly with sounds that require tongue elevation (l, r, t, d, n, th, s, z)
• Difficulty licking an ice cream cone, sticking out the tongue, or moving it side to side
• Gap between the upper front teeth (from lip tie)
• Difficulty with certain textures or foods; messy eating
• Mouth breathing or sleep-disordered breathing
• Dental hygiene challenges (tongue cannot sweep the teeth)

What Happens If Tongue or Lip Tie Is Left Untreated?

The consequences of an unaddressed tongue or lip tie depend on severity, but may include:

• Breastfeeding failure, early weaning, or significant maternal pain
• Inadequate infant weight gain
• Speech delays or persistent articulation difficulties
• Dental developmental issues, including spacing problems and increased cavity risk
• Oral hygiene challenges throughout childhood
• Compensatory muscle habits in the jaw, neck, and face that become entrenched over time

Not every tongue or lip tie requires treatment. Mild cases without functional symptoms may be monitored with watchful waiting and feeding therapy. Our team will help you understand whether intervention is warranted for your child’s specific situation.

How Do You Diagnose Tongue and Lip Ties?

The SCENT – Southern California Ear, Nose, and Throat team performs a gentle mouth exam while discussing symptoms with you. If your child is old enough to respond to directions, their ENT doctor may also analyze tongue movement and shape.

After consulting medical records, the team may diagnose tongue or lip tie. Depending on symptom severity and individual needs, the team may recommend a simple in-office procedure to correct the tongue or lip tie.

Treatment: Lingual & Labial Frenectomy

What Is a Lingual Frenulectomy?

A lingual frenulectomy is a procedure to treat tongue tie. In this procedure, the SCENT – Southern California Ear, Nose, and Throat team creates a careful snip in the lingual frenulum to allow normal tongue movement. If needed, they may use tiny stitches to close the incision. A lingual frenulectomy usually takes approximately 15 minutes.

What Is a Labial Frenulectomy?

A labial frenulectomy is a procedure to treat lip ties. In this procedure, the ENT team makes a small snip in the labial frenulum to create free upper lip movement. As with lingual frenulectomy, this is a quick and easy procedure.