TONGUE-TIE SUPPORTIVE THERAPIES
Supporting optimal feeding, comfort, and function for infants
At Kempsey Dental Centre, we take a whole-body approach to caring for babies with oral restrictions. Many infants present with a combination of tongue ties, lip ties, and buccal (cheek) ties. While a laser frenectomy improves mobility of these restricted tissues, many babies also benefit from gentle supportive therapies that address underlying muscle tension and compensations in the jaw, neck, cheeks, and body.
These therapies help prepare babies for treatment, support recovery, and improve long-term feeding outcomes.
Why Supportive Therapies Are Helpful
Oral restrictions often make feeding harder for babies. When the tongue, lips, or cheeks cannot move freely, infants may overuse surrounding muscles to compensate. This can create tension in the jaw, face, neck, and shoulders.
Babies may struggle to:
Latch deeply
Maintain suction
Coordinate sucking and swallowing
Open the mouth widely
Feed comfortably without fatigue
Supportive therapies help release this tension so babies can use their improved oral mobility more effectively after treatment.
How Tongue, Lip, and Buccal Ties Affect the Body
When oral tissues are restricted, babies may develop compensations that show as:
Turning the head to one preferred side
Shallow latch or difficulty maintaining latch
Clicking sounds from loss of suction
Gas, wind, or reflux from swallowing air
Noisy or inefficient feeding
Fussiness or arching during or after feeds
Tension in the cheeks, jaw, or neck
Limited mouth opening
Even after a laser frenectomy, these patterns may persist unless the underlying muscle tension is addressed.
Before and After the Laser Frenectomy
Before the release:
Gentle bodywork can help relax tight muscles, improve tongue, lip, cheek, and jaw mobility, and prepare the baby for a smoother, more predictable release.
After the release:
As babies adapt to their new mobility, supportive therapies assist with:
Coordinating tongue, lip, cheek, and jaw movement
Reducing residual muscle tightness
Supporting the recommended oral stretches
Improving latch, suction, and feeding efficiency
Many parents notice improvements in latch depth, comfort, feeding duration, and overall settling.
Our Collaborative Approach
We collaborate with trusted local practitioners who understand infant feeding, anatomy, and post-frenectomy support. These therapies complement the laser release and help achieve the best possible outcomes.
Below are practitioners we commonly recommend. Parents may choose any provider they feel comfortable with. This list is offered for convenience and continuity of care.
Recommended Practitioners
Osteopath – Dr Shannon Hilkemeijer
We recommend infants under 1 year old see Dr Shannon Hilkemeijer for optimal improvements in feeding in conjunction with laser correction of tongue, lip, and buccal ties.
Address:
98 Lake Road
Port Macquarie NSW 2444
Phone:
1300 661 863
Email:
body.iq@outlook.com
Website:
https://www.bodyiq.net.au/
Lactation Consultant – Allissa O’Keefe
Website:
http://www.thrivehealth.au
Speech Pathologist & Orofacial Myologist – Charlotte Sweet
Kids Steps Speech Pathology, Coffs Harbour
Email:
charlotte@kidssteps.com.au
Phone:
02 6651 9995
Note on Best Outcomes
Supportive therapies, when combined with precise Waterlase treatment and recommended home exercises, provide the best chance for improved feeding, comfort, and long-term oral function.