100. Everything You Want To Know About Infant Tongue Ties from a Specialist and Mama

Navigating Infant Tongue Ties: Insights from a Specialist and Mom

Becoming a parent is an extraordinary journey, filled with boundless joy, endless wonder, and an unwavering commitment to provide the best care for our precious little ones. I’m Dr. Nora Zaghi, a board-certified pediatric dentist specializing in infant tongue ties and integrative dentistry. I want to share my personal experience as a mom of a two-month-old baby, whose tongue tie I recently released, and of a three year old who also had a tongue tie at birth, and provide valuable insights into the world of infant tongue ties and how they impact breastfeeding.

My Tongue Tie Journey as a Mother:

When my first baby was born, I was filled with immense gratitude as I watched him latch onto my breast effortlessly. However, that initial joy quickly turned into excruciating pain, bleeding nipples, and painful cracks. I knew something wasn’t right – my baby had a tongue tie. Sadly, this is an issue I encounter far too often in my practice. If I hadn’t had the knowledge of ties and previous experience I, too, would have severed my own breastfeeding journey due to the struggles I was experiencing, just as many others do.

Not all babies with tongue ties and lip ties face breastfeeding challenges. Some manage to attach and feed adequately, leading to the misconception that everything is fine. However, many infants encounter breastfeeding difficulties linked to these oral restrictions. Below are some telltale signs that may indicate the presence of tongue and lip ties, though it’s crucial to note that these signs can also be related to other breastfeeding issues.

Symptoms include:

1. Noisy suckling or clicking sounds
2. Frequent on-and-off breastfeeding
3. Flattened nipples after breastfeeding
4. Leaking milk from the sides of the mouth
5. Poor weight gain in the baby
6. Coughing or gagging during feeds
7. Lip blisters
8. Gas pain in the infant
9. Snoring or noisy breathing sounds during sleep
10. Reflux or colic symptoms
11. Prolonged feedings
12. Inadequate breast drainage
13. Decreased milk production

Diagnosing tongue and lip ties goes beyond physical appearance; it primarily revolves around assessing the restriction’s impact on functional movement. The evaluation focuses on how the tongue can move rather than just its appearance. Each case requires a thorough evaluation to determine the most appropriate course of action.

Frenectomies: A Solution for Tongue Ties 

Frenectomies, also known as tie releases, involve the removal of the tight frenulum or tissue under the tongue or upper lip. In my practice, this procedure uses state-of-the-art laser technology to perform safe and efficient procedures that improve tongue and lip mobility.

Besides addressing breastfeeding challenges, frenectomies can also prevent other health issues, such as mouth breathing, high narrow palates, tooth crowding, speech difficulties, and oral motor dysfunction. Opting for a laser procedure offers several advantages, including minimal discomfort and bleeding, enhanced precision and visibility for complete removal, faster healing, and improved hemostasis.

As a specialist in infant frenectomy, I firmly believe in taking an integrative approach to oral health and overall well-being. By addressing tongue ties and their effects on feeding, sleep, and breathing, we can promote better oral development and lay the foundation for a healthier future. 

As a parent, witnessing your child struggle with breastfeeding challenges can be overwhelming. However, understanding the significance of tongue ties and seeking the expertise of a board-certified pediatric dentist and collaborative team of lactation providers, bodyworkers, and feeding therapists can bring relief and pave the way for a smoother feeding, sleep, and breathing journey.

Dr. Nora Ghodousi-Zaghi, resides in Westwood, Los Angeles, CA, with her husband, Soroush Zaghi, an ENT and Medical Director of The Breathe Institute, and their two sons, Maxim and Matisse. Dr. Nora’s dedication to assisting babies with functional challenges due to oral restrictions evolved into a fervent passion following her personal breastfeeding journey with her firstborn. She acquired her Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) from the USC Ostrow School of Dentistry and further honed her skills in Pediatric Dentistry at UNLV, earning a post-graduate specialty certificate.