FAQs
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Frequently Asked Questions
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General
A tongue tie (ankyloglossia) happens when the tissue under the tongue (lingual frenulum) is too short or tight, restricting how the tongue moves. A lip tie occurs when the tissue connecting the upper lip to the gums is too tight or thick.
Not every tie needs treatment—but when it causes feeding, speech, or dental issues, gentle laser treatment can help.
Some signs include:
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Difficulty latching during nursing or bottle feeding
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Clicking sounds while feeding
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Poor weight gain despite frequent feeding
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Long feeding sessions or baby falling asleep while nursing
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Gassiness or fussiness
If you’re worried, Dr. Ryan can do a gentle evaluation to check for ties
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Yes! Ties don’t always cause problems in infancy. Older children might show signs like:
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Trouble pronouncing certain sounds
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Difficulty licking food from their teeth or ice cream cones
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Picky eating or avoiding certain textures
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Gaps between the upper front teeth
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Mouth breathing or snoring
Dr. Ryan can help determine if a tie might be contributing to these issues.
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Traditional tie releases used scissors or scalpels, which could cause more bleeding and discomfort. **Laser treatment is:
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Quick (often just a few minutes)
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Minimally invasive
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Causes little to no bleeding
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Typically requires no stitches
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Allows for faster healing
Many babies can nurse immediately afterward, and older kids often recover quickly.
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The laser gently releases the tight tissue with minimal discomfort. Babies might be fussy for a short time afterward, but most recover very quickly. Older kids may feel mild soreness for a day or two, but it’s usually well-tolerated.
Dr. Ryan uses gentle techniques and explains everything to help kids—and parents—feel at ease.
Healing time varies:
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Babies often feed normally the same day or within a few days.
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A small white or yellow spot may appear where the tie was released—that’s normal healing tissue.
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Older kids might prefer soft foods for a day or two.
Dr. Ryan provides detailed aftercare instructions and gentle follow-up support.
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Many families find working with a lactation consultant helpful after tongue or lip tie release. Even after the tie is released, babies may need time to learn new tongue and lip movements for better latching and feeding.
Dr. Ryan partners closely with local lactation consultants to support your feeding journey.
Every child is different. Some kids show immediate improvements in speech clarity. Others may still need help from a speech-language pathologist to retrain tongue movements.
Dr. Ryan works closely with speech therapists to ensure your child has the best support possible.
Absolutely! We love partnering with:
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Pediatricians
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Lactation consultants
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Speech-language pathologists
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ENT specialists
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Chiropractors and bodyworkers
We make referrals easy—and keep referring providers updated every step of the way.
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Yes! Dr. Ryan is the only pediatric dentist in the Carolina Forest and Myrtle Beach area offering gentle laser releases for tongue and lip ties. Families used to travel hours away—but now, you have expert care close to home.
