About Lip & Tongue Ties
Searching for tongue tie or lip tie treatment near you? At Tooth + Tongue in Walnut Creek, we diagnose and gently release lip and tongue ties for infants, children, and even adults — using a precise CO2 laser for fast, comfortable healing. Because our practice is led by a dentist and anesthesiologist, we can also keep anxious or younger patients safe and calm during the procedure. Families come to us from across the East Bay — Walnut Creek, Lafayette, Alamo, Danville, Pleasant Hill, and beyond.
Sometimes, a little band of tissue under the tongue or upper lip can be tighter than it should be. This is called a tongue tie (ankyloglossia) or lip tie, and it can make things like nursing, bottle feeding, or latching more difficult for infants. As children grow, these ties can also play a role in speech, oral development, and even sleep.
The reassuring news is that lip and tongue ties can be gently corrected with a quick, safe procedure called a frenectomy. Using a soft CO2 laser, the dentist carefully releases the tight tissue, giving the tongue and lips the freedom to move as they should. Most little ones experience improved function right away—making feeding, speaking, and smiling feel more natural and comfortable.
Signs Your Child May Have a Tongue or Lip Tie
Lip and tongue ties can be easy to miss. Watch for these signs by age:
In babies and infants:
- Difficulty latching or staying latched while breastfeeding
- Clicking sounds or milk dribbling during feeding
- Long, tiring feeds or poor weight gain
- Nipple pain for the breastfeeding parent
- Reflux, gassiness, or fussiness
In toddlers and older children:
- Delayed or unclear speech (trouble with l, r, t, d, th, s sounds)
- Difficulty chewing or a preference for soft foods
- Mouth breathing or an open-mouth resting posture
- A gap between the upper front teeth
- Trouble sticking the tongue out or lifting it
If any of these sound familiar, a quick evaluation can bring clarity — and, when needed, gentle treatment.
Why Families Choose Tooth + Tongue for Tongue Tie Treatment
- CO2 laser precision — minimal bleeding, faster healing, and less discomfort than traditional scissors or scalpel methods.
- Led by a dentist-anesthesiologist — for infants, anxious children, or complex cases, we can provide safe sedation options that many tongue-tie providers cannot.
- Functional, not just structural — we assess feeding, speech, breathing, and tongue movement, so treatment is recommended only when it will genuinely help.
- Full aftercare support — clear stretching instructions and follow-up, plus coordination with lactation consultants, feeding therapists, and speech pathologists.
- Every age — from newborns struggling to latch to older children and adults seeking a tongue tie release near them.
What's included?
A frenectomy may involve IV sedation or laughing gas, depending on your child’s needs. Before the procedure, your child’s dentist will review their medical history and determine the safest treatment plan.
During the procedure, the dentist will perform one of two types of frenectomy:
- Lingual Frenectomy – Adjusts the connective tissue between the tongue and the floor of the mouth to improve tongue movement.
- Labial Frenectomy – Shortens the tissue connecting the upper gums to the front teeth, which can improve feeding, speech, and dental alignment.
After the procedure, you’ll receive detailed instructions on how to care for the treatment area, including gentle stretching exercises to support healing and long-term success.
When should a frenectomy be done?
If a baby is having trouble breastfeeding, a frenectomy can be done right away. Babies and young children tend to heal extremely quickly, so the procedure can often be done with very little discomfort.
Is a frenectomy painful for a child?
The procedure is quick and does not cause significant pain when the CO2 laser is utilized.
How long is recovery from a frenectomy?
The healing process normally takes a few days, and completely heals within a few weeks. Children generally heal quickly. To prevent the connective tissue from healing back into its original position, your child will be given tongue stretches to do each day.
Do you offer Laser Frenectomies?
Yes! Our expert team is here to help figure out the best treatment plan for your child, including the latest technology for performing laser tongue and lip ties.
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