Support for tongue ties, cheek ties or lip ties.

Tongue ties, cheek ties or lip ties (collectively known as tethered oral tissues) refer to tight, restrictive bands of tissue in the mouth that may limit the movements of lips, cheeks and tongue.

For some infants and children, these restrictions may affect how they use their lips, cheeks and tongue effectively for eating as well as sound making or speech.

At Thrive, we assess oral movement and function in the context of your child’s individual needs. This helps us understand whether a tethered oral tissue may be contributing to their difficulties and guide you towards appropriate next steps.

How might a tongue tie or lip tie (tethered oral tissues) present itself?

These are some of the concerns families notice.

Your baby clicks and dribbles during feeds.

Your child holds food in their mouth - and takes a long time to eat.

Your child sleeps with their mouth open, and snores sometimes.

Your baby chokes and gags during bottling.

Your child's tongue sticks out a little all the time.

Your child is a 'lazy eater' - preferring to eat soft foods.

Your baby clicks and dribbles during feeds.

Your baby chokes and gags during bottling.

Your child holds food in their mouth - and takes a long time to eat.

Your child's tongue sticks out a little all the time.

Your child sleeps with their mouth open, and snores sometimes.

Your child is a 'lazy eater' - preferring to eat soft foods.

Assessment for tethered oral tissues.

There is considerable information and debate surrounding tethered oral tissues, and it can be difficult for families to know what to make of the different opinions and recommendations available.

A thorough assessment by a knowledgeable and experienced professional is an important first step. Understanding how the oral tissues move and function, and whether any restrictions are contributing to a child’s difficulties, helps guide appropriate management.

Surgical release is not always necessary, nor is it automatically the next step following assessment. Decisions about release should be individualised, informed by functional findings, the available evidence and consideration of appropriate alternatives.

Our recommendations draw on current research, clinical experience and the child’s functional outcomes, with the aim of identifying the most appropriate next steps for each child.

At Thrive, we help families make sense of the evidence, understand their child’s individual needs and explore management options.

There is considerable information and debate surrounding tethered oral tissues, and it can be difficult for families to know what to make of the different opinions and recommendations available.

At Thrive, we help families make sense of the evidence, understand their child’s individual needs and explore management options.

There is considerable information and debate surrounding tethered oral tissues, and it can be difficult for families to know what to make of the different opinions and recommendations available.

At Thrive, we help families make sense of the evidence, understand their child’s individual needs and explore management options.

A thorough assessment comes first.

A targeted case history to understand your child’s medical, feeding and developmental history.
An oromotor assessment to evaluate oral structures, movement and function.
A functional feeding assessment, where appropriate, to understand how your child manages breastfeeding, bottle feeding or eating solid foods.

At Thrive, we look beyond the oral tissues to consider the whole child, including breathing and airway-related concerns, feeding function and developmental needs. This helps us determine whether tethered oral tissues may be contributing to your child’s difficulties and guide appropriate next steps.

If something doesn’t feel right, it is okay to start with a conversation.

Book a Consultation