Pre and Post Frenectomy Support
A frenectomy can help improve tongue or lip mobility, supporting feeding, speech, and overall oral function. At Creative Therapeutics, we provide guidance and support both before and after the procedure to ensure the best outcomes. Pre-frenectomy, we help prepare the child with exercises and strategies to optimize oral strength and coordination. Post-frenectomy, we offer targeted therapy, stretching routines alongside your revision provider, and monitoring to support healing, prevent reattachment, and promote proper function. Our goal is to help children recover comfortably and achieve lasting improvements in feeding, speech, and oral skills.
Signs in Infants
Difficulty latching during breastfeeding
Leaking milk out of their mouth when nursing or bottle feeding
Clicking noises while nursing
Poor weight gain or slow growth
Gassiness, colic, or reflux due to swallowing air
Painful nipples or frequent nipple damage for the breastfeeding parent
Falling asleep at the breast or refusing to feed
Trouble keeping a bottle nipple in the mouth
What is an oral tie?
An oral tie is when the tissue under the tongue, upper or lower lip, or upper or lower buccal (cheek) is tight, limiting movement. This can affect feeding, speech, oral hygiene, and jaw development. Early support and therapy can help improve comfort and function.
Signs in Older Babies & Children
Limited tongue movement (can’t stick tongue out past lower teeth, lift it to the roof of the mouth, or side to side)
Trouble moving lips or tongue during eating
Excessive gagging
Difficulty licking lips or ice cream cones
Gaps between teeth or speech articulation difficulties
Oral hygiene challenges (food getting stuck under the tongue)
Chewing or swallowing difficulties
Other Possible Indicators
Clicking or popping sounds during feeding
Short upper, tented lip that affects smiling or expression
Jaw tension or restricted mouth opening
Long term effects of oral ties
If left unaddressed, oral ties can affect a child’s feeding, speech, oral health, and even airway development. Restricted tongue or lip movement may make chewing, swallowing, and speaking clearly more difficult, and can contribute to dental misalignment or oral hygiene challenges. In some cases, limited tongue mobility can impact airway function, potentially affecting breathing, sleep quality, and overall posture. Early evaluation and intervention—through therapy, exercises, or a frenectomy—can help support proper oral function, speech development, and healthy airway and breathing patterns, promoting overall growth and well-being.
