Tongue & Lip Ties

A tongue or lip tie is a development abnormality of the tongue and lip which occurs when the tissue is too short which limits lip and tongue movement. 

Both tongue and lip ties have been associated with breastfeeding problems among newborns as the defect may cause poor latch, inadequate feeding, and maternal nipple pain.  Nursing difficulty may be the first sign of a tongue or lip tie. 

As children age, there may be other areas of difficulty including the following: limited ability to extend tongue, gap between front teeth, painful catching of the lip tie between teeth, delayed speech, difficulty making certain sounds (such as T, R, and L sounds), difficulty swallowing solid food, or a very strong gag reflex.

Depending on your child’s age, Dr. Mari works in coordination with an International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) and your pediatrician. She also works closely with myofunctional therapists to help you achieve the best outcome for your child.