Ask the Expert: What Parents Need to Know About Frenectomy, Recovery & Myths- Part 3
Welcome Back to Part Three of Our Ask the Expert Series!
In Part 2, we explored when treatment is recommended for oral ties, what a frenectomy involves, and what to expect during recovery and aftercare. Today, we’re diving into the essential role of the speech-language pathologist (SLP) in your child’s tongue- or lip-tie journey and ways to encourage oral development at home. From helping your child’s tongue learn new movement patterns to supporting speech, oral function, and feeding skills, the SLP plays a vital role every step of the way.
This blog post series was created in collaboration with Dr. Jackie and Dr. Katie, board-certified pediatric dentists and founders of Tied.
Meet our Experts
As boy moms who have personally navigated tongue and lip ties in their own families, they bring both professional expertise and real-life experience to the conversation. Their firsthand understanding of how tethered oral tissues can impact feeding, speech, facial growth, and airway development has shaped their patient-centered, collaborative approach to care.
Today, the OWLS Therapy team is answering your most frequently asked questions from a speech-language pathologist’s perspective.
What do SLPs look for when assessing oral ties?
Everyone has a small piece of tissue that connects the tongue to the floor of the mouth. It’s what keeps the tongue in place! However, a tongue tie becomes a concern only if it restricts movement and impacts function. During an evaluation of oral ties, a speech-language pathologist may assess:
Tongue movement and mobility
Speech sound development
Chewing and swallowing with various textures
Breathing patterns
Oral and facial development, including tongue thrusting and tongue posturing
It’s vital to work with a speech-language pathologist who has specific training in oral ties. Specifically, SLPs with experience in Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy (OMT) are often well-equipped to evaluate both structure and function, offering a truly comprehensive assessment.
The SLP (or any provider!) shouldn’t just “check” or look if a tongue or lip tie is there, they should fully assess how it’s affecting your child’s tongue movement, speech, feeding, oral function, and overall development.
Why is function > structure?
When assessing a possible oral tie, speech-language pathologists (SLPs) look for signs that it may be affecting your child’s feeding, speech, breathing, sleep, or oral and dental development. The key question is not whether a tie is present, but whether it’s functionally limiting your child’s development. You may hear diagnosis of a “mild”, “moderate” or “severe” tongue tie, but appearance alone doesn’t predict the ties’ impact! How the tongue moves and works determines the need for intervention.
How do oral ties impact speech sound development?
A tongue tie can restrict precise tongue placement and elevation. When this occurs, it may affect the way a child produces certain speech sounds.
Sounds that could be impacted include:
Tip sounds: t, d, n, l (tongue touches just behind the top front teeth; a tongue tie may make it hard to place the tongue precisely)
Front tongue sounds: sh, zh, ch, j, y (tongue needs to lift toward the roof of the mouth, which can be limited by a tongue tie)
Back tongue sounds: k, g, ng (tongue touches the back of the roof of the mouth; a tongue tie may make it hard for the tongue to reach this spot)
Sibilant sounds: s, z (tongue needs a groove down the middle to make the sound correctly; without it, it may sound slushy)
R sounds: r (making this sound takes complex tongue movements, which can be limited by a tongue tie)
Can speech therapy fix an oral tie?
While speech therapy alone cannot “fix” a tongue tie, it can help your child learn how to produce sounds more effectively despite the restriction.
Not all tongue ties need surgical treatment. However, if your child’s tongue tie is affecting any area of development, it’s important to seek a comprehensive assessment. Left untreated, a tongue tie can continue to impact not only speech but other areas into adulthood as well, such as:
jaw (TMJ) function
jaw or tongue fatigue when eating
neck, shoulder or facial tension and headaches
digestive issues linked to improper chewing and swallowing
oral hygiene challenges due to limited tongue mobility
sleep-disordered breathing or even sleep apnea
The SLP’s role in pre- and post-release therapy
Receiving speech therapy both before and after a tongue-tie release is essential. During this process, the speech-language pathologist helps the child’s tongue learn how to move correctly and efficiently.
A common misconception is that therapy is only necessary after the release. In reality, pre-therapy is just as important as it helps prepare the tongue for improved movement, supports optimal healing, and builds the coordination skills your child will need afterward. Pre-therapy also allows the provider to follow your child’s progress from start to finish, helping them understand initial challenges and identify the specific areas that need focused support for the best outcomes. Just as importantly, it helps the child build trust and familiarity with their provider, which can be especially valuable during the recovery process.
What are the benefits of treating or supporting oral development early on?
As SLPs, we strongly advocate for early intervention because the sooner we support oral development, the better the outcomes tend to be. Early support can positively impact many areas, including improved jaw and facial growth, better nasal breathing and airway health, potential prevention of future orthodontic issues, and long-term comfort with healthy tongue and mouth posture. Addressing these needs early helps give children a strong foundation for feeding, speech, and overall oral function.
How can functional development be supported at home?
Encourage tummy time and oral exploration in infants to build mouth and jaw strength. Read about our favorite teethers here!
Reduce prolonged pacifier use for babies. Be sure to check out our blog post all about pacifiers.
Encourage fun oral activities for toddlers, like drinking through a straw (find our favorite straw cups here), blowing bubbles, and playful licking games (like licking food off their lips!), to build strength and coordination. Offering a variety of foods and textures can also help develop these skills naturally.
Model healthy oral habits, including clear speech, nasal breathing, and closed-mouth rest posture. Be sure to read more about mouth breathing and ways to support a healthy airway.
When to seek an evaluation
Consider a SLP evaluation if your child shows:
Persistent feeding struggles, such as gagging, fatigue, avoiding certain textures, or difficulty drinking from a straw
Difficulty producing specific speech sounds beyond the expected age
Ongoing drooling
Mouth breathing or snoring
Dental or orthodontic concerns related to tongue posture
Other oral challenges, like difficulty stopping pacifier use or thumb-sucking habits
Early support can make all the difference. If you are concerned that your child’s oral ties may be influencing their feeding, speech, breathing, or overall development, do not hesitate to reach out. Trust your instincts and seek an evaluation. We are here for you!
Be sure to check out Tied for more resources. At Tied, Dr. Jackie and Dr. Katie are passionate about creating a safe, supportive space where families can ask questions and get clear, functional guidance on diagnosing and treating oral ties. They’re honored to be part of your child’s care journey and hope this resource helps you feel informed, supported, and empowered.
Looking for speech therapy or pediatric dentistry near me? Book an appointment today!