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We've all heard the phrase "being tongue-tied"

When we stumble over words or have a hard time communicating. For some infants, tongue-tie is a very real and serious oral health issue.


Some infants are born with a genetic condition called Ankyloglossia (tongue-tie), or a Lip Frenulum (lip-tie). Tongue-tie happens when the frenulum-the small band of tissue that extends from the floor of the mouth to the tongue-is overly thick or short and restricts the tongue's movement. Lip-tie happens when the frenulum from the upper lip to the gums is overly short or thick. 


An infant with tongue or lip-tie can have issues breastfeeding. This can create painful latching making it difficult for the infant to successfully get milk. It can also cause the infant to swallow too much air, which can create a failure to thrive and low weight gain. If left untreated, as the child grows it can create long term dental problems and affect speech.


Tongue-tie and lip-tie can be treated in a variety of ways based on the severity. For less severe cases, doctors will take a wait-and-see approach. Some cases require Frenotomy (or Frenectomy) where the frenulum is surgically released with a laser in a simple in-office procedure. Healthy Horizons has compiled this list of physicians and dentists with years of experience working with infants with tongue-tie and lip-tie.



San Francisco Bay Area - San Francisco

  • Edward Lee, MD
    San Francisco Ear Nose Throat Medical Group
    ENT Specialization
    (415) 751-4914

  • Vanessa Erikson, MD
    San Francisco Ear Nose Throat Medical Group 

    ENT Specialization

    (415) 751-4914

  • Anna Meyer, MD, FAAP

    UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital - San Francisco

    Pediatric Head and Neck Surgeon

    (415) 353-4624

  • Garani Nadaraja, MD

    UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital - San Francisco

    Pediatric ENT

    (510) 428-3456

  • Kristina Rosbe, MD, FACS, FAAP

    UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital - San Francisco

    Head and Neck Surgeon

    (415) 353-7823

San Francisco Bay - Peninsula

San Francisco Bay Area - South Bay

  • Lauren Lalakea, MD
    Santa Clara Valley Medical Center

    General Otolaryngology

    (408) 249-5121

  • Hussein Samji, MD

    Bass Medical San Jose

    Otolaryngology ENT
    (408) 358-6163

  • Midori Nishimura, MD, IBCLC

    Family Medicine and Lactation

    Family Medicine and Lactation

    (650) 988-1800

  • Garry Crummer, MD

    Sutter Maternity & Surgery Center of Santa Cruz

    General Pediatrics

    (831) 427-3500

  • William Maclean, MD

    Scotts Valley Medical Offices - Watsonville

    Otolaryngology ENT

    (831) 430-2700

San Francisco Bay Area - East Bay

  • Shervin Yazdi, DDS

    Castro Valley Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics

    Oral Surgeon/Pediatric Dentists

    (510) 538-2098

San Francisco Bay Area - North Bay

  • Romeo Agbayani, MD

    Marin ENT

    ENT

    (415) 461-9770

Out of Area: Santa Barbara, California

  • Dale Taylor, MD

    Riviera ENT

    Pediatric Otolaryngology (Ear, Nose & Throat)

    (805) 327-6673

  • Stephanie Culver, MD

    Riviera ENT

    Otolaryngologist

    (805) 327-6673

Out of Area: Arizona & New York

  • Jonathan Skirko, MD

    Banner University Medical Center - Tucson, AZ

    Otolaryngologist

    (520) 694-8888

  • Lawrence Kotlow, DDS

    PC Pediatric Dentistry - Albany, NY

    Pediatric Dentist

    (805) 327-6673

Tongue-Tie Resources

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