What is Lip and Tongue Tie?

Lip and tongue tie affects around 5% of Australian newborns. Aside from future speech difficulties and distress to whenever eating certain types of food, in the short term, lip and tongue tie causes trouble with the feeding and development issues.   

At KIDS, our mission is to help everyone to get the best possible bond together! Our team helps you and newborns through to children with lip and tongue ties. We want to give you or your child a healthy start to life, just like you do.

The following are some more symptoms we may experience:

INFANTS	CHILDREN	ADULTS
Poor latch, unable to sustain a latch        Colic & excessive gassiness The baby often loss suction whilst feeding and sucks in air       Reflux Difficulty with adequate milk intake                                              Poor weight gain                                    A clicking sound may be heard whilst the baby is feeding            Falling asleep on the breast Extended nursing episodes                                                            Unable to develop a deep enough latch Early weaning from the breast                                                       Tongue cannot be moved sideways                        Tongue cannot protrude beyond the baby’s lips                             Tongue tip may be notched or heart-shaped Restricted mobility interferes with bottle feeding                         Gap between the front teeth When extended, the tongue tip may look flat or square instead of pointed Difficult for babies to attach to the breast or bottle correctly as it is harder for them to maintain a good seal Restrict movement of the upper lip preventing it from being able to flange or ‘pull out’	Inability to chew age appropriate solid foods Gagging, choking or vomiting foods Persisting food fads Difficulties related to dental hygiene Persistence of dribbling Delayed development of speech Deterioration in speech Behaviour problems Dental problems starting to appear Loss of self confidence because they feel and sound ‘different’ Airway issues Mouth breathing Snoring	Inability to open the mouth widely affects speech and eating habits. Always having to watch their speech Inability to speak clearly when talking fast/loud/soft Difficulty talking after even moderate amount of alcohol Clicky and/or painful jaws Migraines Protrusion of the lower jaws Multiple effects in work situations. Effects on social situations, eating out, kissing, relationships Dental health, a tendency to have inflamed gums, and increased need for fillings and extractions Sensitivity about personal appearance Emotional factors resulting in rising level of stress Tongue tie in the elderly often makes it difficult to keep a denture in place.

If you answered 'yes', that may mean you or you or your child have a restricted frenum, commonly known as a lip and tongue tie. Don't worry, it's nothing unusual! In fact, it occurs in approximately 5% of newborns.

Visit Australian Breastfeeding Association (ABA) to find out more about breastfeeding issues related to lip and tongue ties.

Even though having you or your child diagnosed as a newborn gives them the best start as they will adjust quicker, it can be diagnosed in a child of any age. In some cases, children can learn to function with the tie. In other cases, whenever lip-tie symptoms persist, treatment is required. Getting a professional to review your or your child will help provide you with answers regarding if your child is indeed in need of a tie correction.

How is the lip & tongue tie undertaken?

How is it done? Well, we have great news, as the lip and tongue correction treatment is done in-office and doesn't require any sedation during early infancy. This means, that it may be less traumatic and non-memorable for your child. We want to give your baby the best start in life and that is why at KIDS we take total care of you and your baby.

We love to see you, your infants and families in our practice, and we will do our very best to fit you in as quickly as possible.

Our Lip And Tongue Tie Treatment

Because we care about you and your baby so much, we would never let you be treated by any person you don't know a thing about. Let us introduce you to Dr Hany, an experienced professional who will do his best to improve the quality of your life and baby's health.

Dr Hany is the only LASER user who has extensive experience and licensed to perform this procedure in the Mackay, Isaac, Rockhampton and Central Highlands region and surroundings. Dr Hany has been treating tongue-tie and lip-tie in adults, children and infants using laser surgery for over 9 years. Using LASER allows Dr Hany to perform frenectomies on infants from few hours old up to 24 months old without the need for hospitalisation. 

Dr Hany is one of very few providers of LASER surgery* in our region who performs frenectomy surgery on infants. Due to the unique skill, there has been a huge increase in demand from Lactation Consultants, Speech Therapists and Chiropractors for such a service.

Of course, it's totally up to you if you choose to work with Dr Hany. In our procedures, we have a caring team of experienced professionals ready to help you and your baby every step of the way! We believe many hands make light work!

Contact us to book in for a consultation for frenectomy of the lip and/or tongue-tie.

* Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.