Children & Older Kids
Tongue- & Lip-Tie Care
Gentle, precise CO₂-laser releases tailored for growing kids — supporting clear speech, comfortable eating, and healthy oral function.
Tongue- and lip-ties can affect more than just feeding in infancy. In children, restricted movement can impact speech clarity, oral development, and even airway health. At Otter Oral Care, we provide a calm, supportive environment where kids and parents feel confident every step of the way. Our approach combines advanced CO₂-laser treatment with age-appropriate comfort and clear guidance for home care.
What is a tongue-tie or lip-tie?
A tongue-tie (ankyloglossia) or lip-tie happens when a thin band of tissue, called the frenum, is too tight. This can limit how well the tongue lifts, moves side-to-side, or how the upper lip flares during everyday activities.
When movement is restricted, children may experience:
Difficulty pronouncing certain speech sounds (like “L,” “R,” “TH,” or “S”)
Challenges with eating — messy chewing, slow eating, or trouble managing certain textures
Difficulty licking lips or an ice cream cone
Jaw, neck, or facial tension
Mouth breathing or snoring during sleep
At Otter Oral Care, we use a gentle CO₂-laser to release the tight tissue, helping your child speak, eat, and move their mouth more comfortably.
Common signs in children
Only a full in-clinic assessment can confirm a tongue- or lip-tie, but you may notice patterns in your child’s day-to-day habits and comfort:
Avoids certain words or sounds, or substitutes easier ones
Struggles to lick around the mouth after eating
Eats slowly, takes small bites, or pushes food to the side of the mouth
Frequently leaves food residue around the mouth after meals
Gags on chewy textures or prefers softer foods
Breathes through the mouth at rest or snores during sleep
Rubs or massages jaw/neck area after eating or talking for a long time
Has a persistent gap between the upper front teeth despite orthodontic guidance
These patterns can stem from many causes. Speech-language pathologists, Oral Myofunctional therapists, and orthodontists can help pinpoint contributing factors — and we assess for ties when appropriate.
Our approach at Otter Oral Care
Your child’s visit is calm, efficient, and designed with their comfort in mind. In most cases, we complete a full consult and release in the same 45–60-minute appointment.
For children, we use both topical and local anesthetic with every procedure to ensure comfort from start to finish. The CO₂-laser release itself is quick and precise, but total treatment time can vary depending on age, tissue characteristics, and how comfortably your child is able to sit.
We’re committed to supporting your child’s oral function, and many families see the best results when working alongside a speech-language pathologist, oral myofunctional therapist, and/or bodyworker. If you already have a care team, we’ll coordinate closely. If not, we can connect you with trusted professionals — and we welcome all patients, regardless of whether they choose to work with additional providers.
What to expect on release day
Settle in – We review your child’s history, perform a gentle exam, and discuss findings together with you and your child. We encourage families to bring along a comfort item — such as a blanket, stuffed animal, or other favorite belonging — especially for younger children, so they have something familiar with them during the procedure.
After-care review – We walk through the stretching plan and healing expectations, demonstrating techniques so you and your child feel confident at home. Written instructions and a care tracker are provided.
Numbing – Both topical and local anesthetic are applied to keep the procedure comfortable from start to finish.
Release – The CO₂-laser release is precise and efficient, with total time depending on your child’s age, tissue characteristics, and comfort during the procedure.
Recover & soothe – Patients are welcome to relax in our inviting entry area post-procedure for as long as needed.
After-care and stretching
Stretches are an important part of healing. They help keep the release site open while new tissue forms, reducing the risk of the restriction returning.
Stretches are 3 times a day for 3–4 weeks.
Older kids can often participate in stretches themselves, with guidance from a parent or caregiver.
If stitches are placed, wait 3–4 days before beginning stretches.
Each stretch only takes a few seconds.
Gentle neck and jaw movement, posture awareness, and breathing exercises can all help support recovery.
We’ll demonstrate the stretches in clinic so both you and your child feel confident before leaving. You’ll also receive:
Printed post-op instructions
A care tracker PDF to help you stay on schedule
Ready to take the next step?
Deciding on a tongue- or lip-tie release for your child can feel like a big decision. Our role is to make the process clear, supportive, and tailored to your family — from the first conversation through after-care.
Children’s Frenectomy: Common Questions
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A release gives the tongue or lip more mobility, but progress usually takes time and practice. Some children notice changes quickly, while for others improvements come gradually over 1–3 weeks as they adapt to their new range of motion.
Most children see the best outcomes when healing is paired with guidance from providers such as speech-language pathologists or oral myofunctional therapists. Recovery is not always linear, and patience makes a big difference.
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It’s very common for children to feel a little anxious, and we build comfort into the process. Kids are welcome to bring along a favorite blanket or stuffed animal, and we can set up a device so they can watch a show or listen to music during the visit. We explain what’s happening in simple, age-appropriate language, so they know what to expect. If your child is still nervous, we’ll work with you to create a plan that fits their needs — every child deserves to feel supported.
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Most kids return to normal routines quickly. Depending on age and activity level, some families choose to give their child the rest of the day off, especially if stretches are new. Sports and full activities are usually fine the following day.
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Oral myofunctional therapy (OMT) and speech-language pathology (SLP) can play an important role both before and after a release. These providers help strengthen oral muscles, support new movement patterns, and make stretches easier. Many families also find that pre- and post-op bodywork (such as chiropractic or craniosacral therapy) helps reduce tension and improve healing.
While these supports can make recovery smoother and outcomes stronger, they’re not required. We welcome all patients, and we’ll work with your family to create a plan that fits your needs.
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In the first couple of days, stick to cool or room-temperature liquids and smooth purées. As comfort allows, progress to soft, mashable foods, and gradually re-introduce texture. Encourage hydration, but skip carbonated and acidic drinks at first.
Avoid foods that are hard, crunchy, seedy, sticky, spicy, or very hot, as these can irritate the healing site. Cold treats like smoothies or popsicles can soothe, but balance them with nutrient-dense meals for better recovery.
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Some soreness is common for the first few days. Simple strategies such as cold compresses to the jaw or neck, rest, and age-appropriate pain relief can make a big difference. Some families also explore homeopathic remedies — we’ll review safe, individualized options together during your visit. Most children return to their usual activities quickly as healing continues.