When Should You Fix a Lip Tie?


A frenulum is a small piece of tissue that connects your infant’s upper lip to the gums and palate. While all babies have a frenulum, it’s only problematic if the connection is excessively tight and limits movement in your child’s mouth, which can impact how they suck and latch and even inhibit their weight gain. In some cases, a lip tie can be corrected as early as birth, but it’s most often addressed in the first few months after baby is born.

Symptoms of a lip tie include difficulty nursing, sucking on a pacifier, excessive gassiness after feedings, and slow or unsatisfactory weight gains. The condition goes undetected, especially in newborns, because the typical exam of an infant’s mouth doesn’t include a close inspection of the lip or the frenulum. A pediatrician, lactation specialist, or dentist at Hamilton Mountain Dental Group can diagnose a lip tie and determine if it’s affecting the nursing process or your infant’s ability to suck and swallow.

If left untreated, a lip tie can lead to dental issues down the road for toddlers, including misalignment, spacing problems, and receding gums in permanent teeth. Additionally, it can cause speech impediments that impact articulation, and may have psychological repercussions in the form of self-esteem concerns.

It’s recommended that infants who have a lip or tongue tie be treated in the first few months after birth to avoid any potential complications down the road, but it’s never too late. A simple procedure called a frenectomy can correct the problem in your infant without the need for sedation or anesthesia, and it takes less than one minute to complete. A topical anesthetic is applied to numb the area, while a soft tissue laser precisely cuts the frenulum and frees your child’s lips and tongue for movement and prevents bleeding as it cauterizes while cutting.




After a frenectomy, your baby or toddler may be instructed to perform certain stretches or movements to promote healing of the site and encourage full mobility and flexibility in their mouth. Some babies and toddlers have a slower recovery time than others, but it’s generally a quick and painless process.

It’s important to check with your pediatrician or dentist to see if your child needs a frenectomy. You can also contact a breastfeeding support group or lactation specialist to get an evaluation for your infant. While some children have genetic tendencies to have a lip or tongue tie, it’s not uncommon for siblings and even parents to have this issue. In fact, it’s more common in women who have had pre-eclampsia, low blood pressure during pregnancy and labor, or obesity. A lip tie can also be caused by a prolonged breech delivery and certain oral conditions. The good news is that it can be easily corrected with the help of a supportive community and an experienced pediatrician or dentist.

Hamilton Mountain Dental Group 
79 Rymal Rd W, Hamilton, ON L9B 1B5
Telephone: 905-388-1977



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