Tongue Tie Clinic

Baby Tongue-Tie & Feeding Support at Divine Smiles

At Divine Smiles, we understand how overwhelming feeding difficulties can feel in the early weeks. When your baby is unsettled, feeding constantly, or you are in pain, it can take a real emotional toll.

Our dedicated Tethered Oral Tissue (TOT) Clinic brings together two essential parts of care:

– An experienced on-site IBCLC (International Board Certified Lactation Consultant)
– Dr Mah, who performs precise, gentle tongue- and lip-tie releases in our clinic

We focus on thorough assessments, clear answers, and calm, supportive care for you and your baby.

What Is a Tongue-Tie?

Tongue-tie (ankyloglossia) happens when a small piece of tissue under the tongue does not separate as it should before birth. This can limit how the tongue moves.

Tethered oral tissues can affect more than just the tongue. Restrictions may also appear:
– Under the upper lip
– Along the cheeks (buccal ties)

If the tongue cannot move freely, it can affect how a baby sucks, swallows, breathes, and later, chews or speaks.

Not all ties are easy to see. Many people think of tongue-tie as a visible “heart-shaped” tongue, but that is just one type. Some ties are deeper and hidden at the base of the tongue, and can only be found through careful manual and functional assessment.

Just because a baby can stick out their tongue does not automatically mean function is normal.

Why Tongue Function Matters

The tongue does more than help with feeding. It is also important for oral and facial development.

When working normally, the tongue rests against the roof of the mouth. This helps to:
– Shape the palate correctly.
– Support jaw development
– Maintain balanced pressure from cheeks and lips.
– Encourage nasal breathing

If tongue movement is limited, this balance can be affected. Over time, it may lead to:
– Feeding challenges
– High or narrow palates
– Mouth breathing
– Snoring or disturbed sleep
– Crowding of teeth
– Recurrent ear or upper respiratory infections
– Poor oral muscle development

Finding these issues early can help lower feeding stress and support healthy development.

Signs Your Baby May Have a Tongue or Lip Tie

Symptoms can be different for each baby.

In older children, restricted oral tissues can cause unclear speech, snoring, or ongoing mouth breathing.

If these signs sound familiar, a comprehensive assessment may be helpful.

Some common signs are listed here:
(1-6 For baby)
(7-10 For mum)

01 Difficulty latching or staying latched

02 Clicking or popping sounds during feeding

03 Long, frequent or very tiring feeds

04 Gassiness, reflux or unsettled behaviour

05 Poor weight gain

06 Noisy breathing or mouth breathing

07 Nipple pain or damage

08 Cracked or bleeding nipples

09 Recurrent blocked ducts or mastitis

10 Lipstick-shaped nipples after feeds

Our Comprehensive Assessment Process

Identifying tethered oral tissues takes more than a quick look. At Divine Smiles, we follow three important steps before suggesting any treatment:

1. Visual Assessment
We look for visible signs of restriction under the tongue, lips and cheeks.

2. Gentle Manual Examination
We gently feel under the tongue and lips to check for tension, thickness, and movement. Many important ties can only be found this way.

3. Functional Assessment
We watch how your baby feeds, moves their tongue, and uses their mouth. This is important because diagnosis is based on how things work, not just how they look.

Only after all three steps are completed do we determine:
– Whether a tie is present
– The degree of restriction
– Whether a release procedure is appropriate

We only recommend treatment if it is truly needed.

Our Gentle, Collaborative Approach

Our TOT Clinic stands out because we bring together both lactation and dental expertise in one place.

IBCLC Support
Our lactation consultant works closely with you on:
– Positioning and latch optimisation
– Feeding strategies
– Pre- and post-procedure guidance
– Ongoing support to maximise outcomes

Precise Release by Dr Mah
If a release is recommended, Dr Mah performs the procedure using precise, modern techniques designed to:
– Minimise discomfort
– Reduce bleeding
– Support faster healing

The procedure is quick, and babies are returned to their parents right away for feeding and comfort.

Follow-Up Care
Aftercare is essential for long-term success. We provide:
– Healing reviews
– Guidance on exercises if required
– Ongoing feeding support

Our goal is to do more than just perform a procedure. We want to help your baby improve how they feed and function.

Supporting You Through the Journey

Feeding difficulties are almost never “just in your head.” If something does not feel right, it is worth having experienced clinicians check for functional restrictions.

At Divine Smiles, we offer clear explanations, thorough assessments, and balanced recommendations. This way, you can make informed decisions with confidence.
If you are worried about tongue-tie, lip-tie, or feeding challenges, we invite you to book a full assessment with us. We’re here to help.