Your Guide to Tongue & Lip Ties in Bismarck

Getting the results you’re looking for after a tongue or lip tie release needs more than just the procedure itself. Your baby likely has already developed compensatory patterns to work around the ties. Without addressing these, the full benefits of the release you were hoping for might not come true.

That’s where our team shines. We focus on gentle, effective care before and after the release to promote optimal healing and function.

• Pre-Release Care: Babies are usually born with a lot of muscle tension under their tongue and jaw from being in the womb. They were snuggled in there with a tucked chin for a long time. Most babies we see with TOTs have tight fascia around the frenulum. The frenulum is the tight anchor at the center of the tongue tie that often needs to be cut in order to have full range of motion. That fascia needs to be relaxed and moved out of the way so Dr. Renz can see exactly what to cut, and more importantly, what not to cut. Our goal before a release is to prepare your baby for the procedure by gently releasing tension around the frenulum. This can make the release easier and more effective. This is best done for at least 2 weeks prior to the release procedure, but differs for every child.

• Post-Release Care: Picture being born with your arm sewn to your hip. Your entire life, that’s all you’ve known. You’ve never really been able to move it. Then, say a surgeon separated your arm so it could move freely. “Wow, this feels so weird” you say. You would be so used to where it was, you’d probably have no idea how to use it! This is the same for babies. All they’ve known is the short, restricted movement of their tied tongue. If they aren’t trained how to use it, they will often struggle to get the benefits of a release. That’s why we focus on helping your baby's body adapt to their new freedom of movement, especially their tongue. We work on retraining their muscles for proper sucking, swallowing, and breathing, and ensure that the old tension patterns don't return.

Lactation Counselors: Our certified lactation counselors, led by Whitney, are essential members of the team. They provide expert guidance on latch, positioning, and feeding strategies both before and after a release to ensure your feeding goals are met.

Chiropractor Certified in Pediatrics: Dr. Alex utilizes gentle, specific adjustments to address neurological imbalances in your baby’s spine, jaw, and cranium that are pretty much always present with tongue and lip ties. This helps to improve mobility, reduce tension, and support the nervous system for better overall function.

Pediatric Physical Therapy: Dr. Rhiannon, our pediatric physical therapist focuses on exercises and movements that retrain the muscles of the mouth, tongue, and neck. They will guide you through stretching and strengthening exercises to encourage new, more effective movement patterns.

When a tongue or lip tie release is necessary, we confidently refer our patients to Dr. Renz at All Smiles Bismarck. Dr. Renz specializes in safe and precise release procedures using advanced laser equipment for infants and children. Her expertise ensures that the ties are handled with the utmost skill, allowing our therapeutic work to be as effective as possible.

This collaborative relationship means your family benefits from a team that communicates and works together to create a comprehensive care plan tailored to your child's specific needs.

If you suspect your child may have a tongue or lip tie, or if you have been referred for pre- and post-release therapy, we are here to help. Schedule a consultation with our pediatric team today to learn how we can support your family on the path to better health and wellness.