Tethered Oral Tissues Support

Who This Helps

Tethered oral tissues therapy at BSPS helps:

• Infants with tongue-tie affecting breastfeeding or bottle feeding
• Children with speech, feeding, or dental effects from tongue-tie
• Adults with ongoing issues related to tongue-tie
• Anyone preparing for or recovering from a frenectomy
• Individuals with lip-tie affecting function

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Signs of Tethered Oral Tissues

In Infants:

• Difficulty latching or maintaining latch
• Clicking sounds while feeding
• Poor weight gain
• Prolonged feeding sessions
• Maternal nipple pain despite correct positioning

In Children and Adults:

• Limited tongue movement (can't touch roof of mouth or stick tongue out far)
• Difficulty with certain speech sounds
• Messy eating or difficulty with certain foods
• Gap between front teeth
• Tongue thrust or other myofunctional disorders
• TMJ pain or tension

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Why Pre/Post Therapy Matters

A frenectomy releases the restricted tissue, but it doesn't automatically create new movement patterns. Research shows that myofunctional therapy significantly improves outcomes:

Before release (pre-therapy):

• Prepares muscles for new range of motion
• Establishes awareness and exercises
• Maximizes benefit from the procedure

After release (post-therapy):

• Prevents reattachment or scar tissue restriction
• Builds strength and coordination
• Establishes correct movement patterns
• Addresses related issues (tongue thrust, etc.)

Without therapy, many releases don't achieve their full potential, and some restrictions return.

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What to Expect

Pre-Frenectomy Therapy

Before your release, we'll work on:

• Tongue awareness and basic exercises
• Preparing muscles for improved movement
• Establishing baseline function

Post-Frenectomy Therapy

After your release, therapy focuses on:

• Wound stretches (as directed by your provider)
• Progressive strengthening exercises
• Range of motion development
• Correcting related patterns (tongue thrust, etc.)
• Establishing proper tongue posture

Timeline

Most programs include:

• 1-4 sessions before release
• Weekly sessions for 4-8 weeks after release
• Transition to maintenance and related therapy as needed

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Our Approach

• Coordination with your release provider - We work alongside ENTs, dentists, and other providers performing the procedure
• Evidence-based exercises - Proven techniques for optimal healing and function
• Age-appropriate methods - From infant techniques to adult exercises
• Comprehensive care - Addressing all related myofunctional issues

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Finding the Right Release Provider

We work with several excellent providers in the Kansas City area who perform quality releases. We're happy to share referrals and coordinate care.