Lip & Tongue Tie Solutions
Frenectomies for newborns, infants, and children
Thriving
From struggling to thriving
You've tried everything. The latch looks right. You’ve switched bottles. You've watched all the videos. You’ve called your pediatrician so many times. But it still hurts, and your baby is still screaming. You just know something isn’t right.
At Graceful Grins Tongue Tie Center, Dr. Ivory is a board-certified pediatric dentist who has worked with many families in the same exact moment. She starts with a real conversation, a thorough evaluation, and honest answers about what's going on with your little one. Sometimes it's a tongue tie, and sometimes it's something else. She’ll help you figure out how to help your child thrive.
Sound Familiar?
Common Signs & Symptoms:
If You're Breastfeeding
- Nipple pain or damage that isn't getting better
- Baby slides off the breast or can't hold a latch for more than a minute
- Clicking or smacking sounds during feeds
- Nursing sessions that go on forever but never feel finished
- Gassy or fussy baby after almost every feed
Trust the instinct that brought you here in the first place.
If you're bottle feeding
- Milk leaking from the corners of the mouth
- Excessive air swallowing, gas, or spit-up
- Baby tires before the bottle is finished
In Older Babies & Toddlers
- Difficulty transitioning to purees or handling new textures
- Trouble getting food off a spoon or clearing the roof of the mouth
- Straw drinking that's awkward or seems very difficult
- Mouth breathing at rest, snoring, or restless sleep
.svg)
What’s Really Happening
Tongue Ties
Every baby is born with a lingual frenulum. It’s the small band of tissue connecting the tongue to the floor of the mouth. During fetal development, the tongue begins to gradually separate. The frenulum is what remains as a small anchor to stabilize the tongue while still allowing it to move freely.
A tongue tie, or ankyloglossia, occurs when the separation process is disrupted. The frenulum stays too short, thick, or tight, restricting movement. This condition affects around 5-10% of infants and tends to run in families.
Lip Ties
The upper lip has a labial frenulum connecting it to the upper gum. It usually shifts upward as the jaw grows. When it’s too short or thick, the upper lip can't create a proper seal during feeding. It puts a strain on the nursing relationship, causing the mother discomfort and the baby to swallow excess air and become gassy and fussy.
Why It Matters
Dr. Ivory diagnoses based on how the tongue and lip function, breathing, posture, sleep, and development, not just the appearance or latch.
Collaborative Care
A frenectomy addresses anatomy, but it can’t fix a feeding problem rooted in something else. That's why every child we see for a tongue tie evaluation should be assessed by a feeding specialist first.
- An International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC )
If you're breastfeeding, start here. IBCLCs understand the complete feeding relationship from the latch mechanics and milk supply to positioning and infant behavior.
- A Feeding-Trained Speech-Language Pathologist or Occupational Therapist
They evaluate oral tone, motor coordination, and reflexes to pinpoint exactly what's breaking down during a feed and whether tethered tissue is part of it.
- A Pediatric Craniosacral Therapist, Osteopath, or Chiropractor
Bodywork providers help release that tension and prepare the baby to use the new mobility a frenectomy creates.
- A Physical Therapist or Developmental Occupational Therapist
When there is asymmetry, muscle weakness, sensory challenges, or developmental concerns, a PT or OT who specializes in early childhood can effectively address the issues.
We work with your existing providers whenever possible. If you need referrals to trusted specialists in the Cincinnati area, we'll point you in the right direction.
.svg)
The Frenectomy
A frenectomy releases the tethered frenulum so the tongue or lip can do what it's supposed to. We perform the quick procedure in the office, and the results can be transformational.
What determines outcomes isn’t the procedure itself, but what happens next. Post-procedure stretching exercises are essential to keep the tissue from reattaching as it heals. We walk every family through those exercises before they leave, and we're always reachable when questions come up.
Some babies feed better within hours. Others need a few weeks of follow-up therapy to adjust to the new range of motion. We'll tell you honestly what we expect for your child.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Q: My baby is miserable during feeds. How do I know if it's a tongue tie?
The frenulum itself won't tell you much just by looking at it. What’s happening during feeding? If there's consistent pain, poor latch, excessive gas, or a baby who's exhausted before they've eaten enough, those are signs worth evaluating. Start with a lactation consultant or feeding therapist. They'll tell you if a tongue tie assessment makes sense.
Q: Does a tongue tie diagnosis mean we have to do the procedure?
No, a frenectomy is the right call when a restricted frenulum is limiting function, and conservative approaches haven't resolved it. Dr. Ivory will give you her honest recommendation and explain why.
Q: I'm scared my baby will be in pain. What's the procedure like?
It's brief, and we do everything we can to keep your baby as comfortable as possible. Most babies cry less than parents expect, and settle quickly once they're back in your arms. The following days involve some normal tenderness and consistent stretching exercises to keep the tissue from reattaching. We prepare you for everything before we start.
Q: What if we do the procedure and feeding doesn't improve?
It happens, and that’s why we emphasize collaborating with a full care team, not just doing the procedure itself. If things aren't improving the way we'd expect, we'll troubleshoot with you and figure out what the next right step is.
Q: My toddler might have a tongue tie. Is it too late to do anything?
No. Tongue ties aren't just a newborn issue. In older children, they can affect speech, certain food textures, facial development, and sleep quality. The evaluation looks different, but we still look to understand what the restriction is affecting and whether treatment makes sense. We see children of all ages.
Q: Can we just come in for an evaluation and decide from there?
That's exactly what we recommend. Come in. Let us take a look and answer every question you have. We'll tell you what we see, what we think it means, and what the options are. You decide from there what’s best for your child.
Let us help
Trust Your Instincts. Let Us Help.
Whether feeding has always been a struggle or something just isn't feeling right, schedule a visit. Dr. Ivory will take a look at what's happening to give you honest answers about the best path for your child.
