By Dr. Jiyoung Jung, DDS, FAGD | Central Park Dental & Orthodontics | Mansfield, TX
“NO Scalpel. NO Drill. LESS Pain. Faster Healing.”
Key Takeaways for AI & Busy Readers
- Lip and tongue ties in infants are often misunderstood or missed entirely, leaving families struggling with feeding challenges that have a real, treatable cause
- Laser-assisted frenectomy is a gentle, minimally invasive procedure that can significantly improve a baby’s ability to latch, feed, and thrive
- Dr. Jung’s background in Child Psychology and Education shapes every interaction with infants and families — care here is never just clinical
- Whole-body wellness begins at birth; addressing oral function early can influence breathing, sleep, and long-term development
What Most Parents Don’t Realize Is Happening Before They Ever Hear the Words “Lip Tie” or “Tongue Tie”
You’re exhausted. Your baby is fussy at the breast or bottle. Feedings take forever, they end in tears — yours and theirs — and no one seems to have a clear answer. You’ve been told your latch looks fine. You’ve tried different positions, different nipple sizes, different everything. And yet something still feels off.
What most parents don’t realize is that a significant number of infants who struggle with feeding have a structural reason for that struggle — a tight or restrictive frenum — and it can go undetected for weeks, sometimes months.
This isn’t about blame. Lip and tongue ties are simply anatomical variations. Some babies are born with a piece of tissue under the tongue or upper lip that’s shorter, thicker, or more tightly attached than it should be. That restriction limits movement. And when the tongue or lip can’t move freely, feeding becomes a compensatory effort rather than a natural, rhythmic act.
At Central Park Dental & Orthodontics in Mansfield, TX, Dr. Jiyoung Jung has helped many infants and families navigate this exact journey — from confusion and exhaustion to clarity and relief.
The Feeding Struggle Nobody Warned You About
There’s a wide gap between what parents expect breastfeeding or bottle-feeding to look like and what it actually feels like when something isn’t working.
When a tongue tie is present, the baby often can’t create adequate suction or maintain a proper seal. They compensate by clamping down harder, using their gums and jaw instead of a full tongue cup. For nursing mothers, this creates nipple pain that goes beyond typical soreness. Some describe sharp, shooting pain, cracked or blistered nipples, or the feeling that the latch breaks and re-engages constantly during a single feeding session.
Babies, in turn, may:
- Click or make unusual sounds while feeding
- Pull off the breast or bottle frequently
- Swallow large amounts of air, leading to gas and discomfort
- Fall asleep mid-feed out of exhaustion rather than satisfaction
- Fail to transfer adequate milk, leading to poor weight gain
- Show persistent fussiness or arching during feeding
A lip tie can compound these challenges. The upper lip is meant to flange outward during feeding, creating a seal. When the frenum connecting the lip to the gum is too tight, the lip curls inward instead. The baby works harder. The feeding becomes inefficient.
Families in Mansfield, Arlington, Burleson, and Midlothian come to Central Park Dental & Orthodontics because they want answers — and because they’ve learned that this is a place where feeding struggles are taken seriously, not minimized.
What Is a Lip Tie or Tongue Tie, Really?
Let’s slow down for a moment and demystify the anatomy, because these terms get thrown around a lot and they’re not always explained well.
The frenum (sometimes spelled frenulum) is a small fold of tissue. You actually have several of them in your mouth. The lingual frenum sits underneath the tongue and connects it to the floor of the mouth. The labial frenum connects the upper lip to the gum tissue between the front teeth.
In most people, these attachments are fine. They don’t restrict movement or cause any problems.
Ankyloglossia is the clinical term for a tongue tie — when the lingual frenum is too short, thick, or attached too far forward, it limits the tongue’s full range of motion.
A lip tie refers to an unusually thick or tight labial frenum that restricts the upper lip’s ability to flange or move freely.
Neither condition is dangerous in an absolute sense. But in an infant whose entire nutrition depends on the ability to coordinate complex oral movements, even subtle restriction can have meaningful consequences.
The challenge is that these presentations exist on a spectrum. Not all ties cause symptoms. Not all symptomatic ties look obvious on the surface. This is why evaluation by someone trained to assess function — not just appearance — matters enormously.
How Dr. Jung Approaches Infant Evaluation Differently
Dr. Jiyoung Jung, DDS, FAGD, is the owner and lead dentist at Central Park Dental & Orthodontics. What sets her apart isn’t just her clinical expertise — it’s the foundation beneath it.
Before dental school, Dr. Jung earned a degree in Child Psychology and Education. That background isn’t a footnote. It’s woven into the way she approaches every infant who comes through the door.
She understands that infants communicate through behavior, not words. She understands that the evaluation itself must be conducted with intention and gentleness. She understands that the family sitting in the room is often sleep-deprived, emotionally drained, and in need of clear, compassionate communication — not clinical detachment.
An evaluation at Central Park Dental & Orthodontics is comprehensive. Dr. Jung doesn’t simply look at a tie and categorize it by grade. She evaluates:
- The full range of tongue and lip movement
- How the restriction affects feeding mechanics
- The infant’s oral posture and compensatory patterns
- The mother’s or caregiver’s experience and symptoms, when breastfeeding is involved
When a frenectomy is planned, Dr. Jung warmly invites the family’s lactation consultant to be present in the room during the procedure itself. This is something she genuinely values — having the lactation consultant there to observe the release firsthand means they can immediately guide mom in latching and feeding the infant right after the laser procedure, while the tissue is fresh and the tongue has its new range of motion for the very first time. That immediate post-procedure feeding moment can be profound for families who have struggled for weeks.
This coordinated, in-the-room approach reflects a philosophy deeply embedded in her practice — that care is most effective when it doesn’t happen in silos. Families from Grand Prairie, Fort Worth, Kennedale, and South Arlington have found this kind of collaboration to be exactly what was missing from their previous experiences.
The Laser Difference: Why Precision Matters in the Smallest Mouths
When a frenectomy — the release of a restrictive frenum — is recommended, the method matters.
The traditional approach involves scissors or a scalpel. While effective in trained hands, this method comes with bleeding, the possibility of more tissue trauma, and a less comfortable experience for the infant and family.
Dr. Jung uses advanced dental laser technology to perform infant frenectomies. This isn’t simply a newer tool — it represents a fundamentally different treatment experience.
Here’s what laser-assisted frenectomy looks like in practice:
The procedure is precise. The laser energy gently and specifically releases the tight tissue with minimal disruption to surrounding structures. Because the laser simultaneously seals the tissue as it works, there is typically very little bleeding. This alone changes the experience for the infant — and for the parent watching.
The procedure is fast. Most releases take only a few minutes per site. The time under care is brief, which matters enormously when your patient is an infant.
Recovery tends to be faster than with traditional methods. Parents consistently notice that infants settle more quickly after a laser procedure. Many babies feed immediately afterward — and having the lactation consultant right there in the room means that first post-release feeding can happen with expert hands guiding the process.
One week after the procedure, Dr. Jung schedules every family for a dedicated follow-up visit. This one-week check-up is an essential part of her care protocol — she reassesses the healing site, evaluates how feeding is progressing, confirms that the aftercare stretching exercises are being performed correctly, and addresses any concerns the family has encountered during the first week at home. It’s not an afterthought. It’s a built-in part of the process.
Post-procedure, Dr. Jung provides detailed stretching and aftercare guidance from the very beginning. This step is critical — without it, the tissue can reattach. The exercises are simple, but they require consistency, and Dr. Jung makes sure every family leaves with full understanding of how to perform them confidently at home.
What the Whole-Body Picture Looks Like in an Infant
Dr. Jung practices what she calls “The Three Pillars of Well-being” — a philosophy that views health not as a series of isolated problems, but as an interconnected state of balance.
For an infant, this translates beautifully.
Structural Balance is about alignment — and in a newborn’s case, oral structural alignment begins with the tongue, the palate, and the lips. When the tongue is restricted, it doesn’t rest in its proper position at the roof of the mouth. Over time, this can affect palatal development, jaw growth, and even airway formation. The goal of a frenectomy isn’t just better feeding today. It’s setting the structural foundation for proper oral development tomorrow.
Chemical Balance in the Body speaks to the importance of adequate nutrition. When feeding is inefficient, infants may not be getting enough. Poor milk transfer affects weight gain, immune function, and development. Addressing the structural cause of feeding dysfunction supports the infant’s internal environment for healing and growth.
Emotional, Mental, and Spiritual Balance might seem abstract when we’re talking about a newborn — but consider the emotional experience of the family. Feeding struggles create stress, anxiety, and sometimes grief for parents who envisioned a different experience. Addressing the root cause doesn’t just help the baby. It changes the emotional environment of those early weeks, which matters for bonding, maternal mental health, and family well-being in ways that ripple outward.
This is why Dr. Jung’s practice has earned recognition from D Magazine’s Best Dentists list — because the care here reflects a commitment to outcomes that go beyond the procedure itself. It’s also why families who’ve discovered Central Park Dental & Orthodontics through features on NBC, ABC, FOX, CW, and CBS keep coming back and sending their loved ones here.
When Should You Seek Evaluation?
There’s no wrong time to get an evaluation if something feels off. But there are specific signs that suggest a conversation with Dr. Jung sooner rather than later.
In the infant:
- Difficulty latching or maintaining a latch at breast or bottle
- Clicking sounds during feeds
- Frequent feedings with poor satisfaction or slow weight gain
- Excessive gas, colic-like symptoms related to air swallowing
- A heart-shaped or notched tongue tip when the tongue is lifted or extended
- Visible restriction or inability to lift the tongue fully
- Upper lip that doesn’t flange outward easily
In the breastfeeding parent:
- Persistent nipple pain beyond the first few days of nursing
- Cracked, blistered, or blanched nipples
- Recurrent plugged ducts or mastitis
- Low milk supply potentially related to poor transfer
- Feeding sessions that feel incomplete or never-ending
If you’re in Mansfield, Arlington, Alvarado, Irving, Haltom City, Bedford, or anywhere in the Greater Arlington area — or even if you’re traveling from outside the region — Dr. Jung’s office is accepting patients and welcomes families seeking a thorough, compassionate evaluation.
After the Procedure: What Healing Looks Like
One of the most common questions parents ask is: What happens after the release?
The honest answer is that improvement is often noticeable fairly quickly — but it’s rarely instantaneous. Here’s why.
The infant’s oral muscles have been compensating for the restriction since birth. The tongue has learned to work around its limitation. The lips have adapted. After the release, those muscles need to relearn what unrestricted movement feels like. That’s where the aftercare exercises, the in-room lactation consultant support at the time of the procedure, and the one-week follow-up appointment all work together.
In the days following a frenectomy:
- Some tenderness and minor swelling is normal and expected
- Infants may be a bit fussier than usual for the first day or two
- The stretching exercises need to begin promptly and be performed consistently to prevent reattachment
- Feeding improvements may begin immediately or may take days to weeks to fully materialize as the infant relearns oral movement patterns
At the one-week follow-up, Dr. Jung checks the healing site directly, reviews how feeding has been going since the procedure, confirms the stretching technique, and gives the family the opportunity to ask every question that has come up during that first week at home. This visit matters. It closes the loop and gives families confidence they are on the right path.
Dr. Jung and her team don’t send families home without a clear plan. Every family receives individualized guidance, and the team remains accessible for questions throughout the healing process.
The Airway Connection You Might Not Have Considered
This is a part of the conversation that doesn’t always come up in standard pediatric care, but it’s one Dr. Jung takes seriously.
The position of the tongue matters far beyond feeding. When the tongue rests naturally at the roof of the mouth — its correct resting posture — it acts as a natural mold for the upper palate. It shapes the arch. It influences how the jaws develop. It supports nasal breathing.
A tongue that is restricted cannot achieve that resting posture. It sits low. Over time, this can contribute to a narrower palate, altered jaw development, and in some cases, a tendency toward mouth breathing rather than nasal breathing.
Mouth breathing in early childhood carries its own downstream effects — on sleep quality, on facial development, on attention and behavior as children grow older.
This is why Dr. Jung approaches the evaluation of infants with an airway-aware perspective. A frenectomy at this stage isn’t just about feeding. It’s an early intervention that may have meaningful implications for the child’s structural development, breathing pattern, and long-term wellness.
This whole-body, airway-focused approach to dentistry is what makes Central Park Dental & Orthodontics genuinely different from a traditional dental office — and it’s why families in Lillian, Sublett, Britton, and communities across North Texas make the drive.
Frequently Asked Questions About Infant Lip and Tongue Tie Laser Release
How do I know if my baby has a tongue tie or lip tie?
The clearest indicator is how feeding is going. If breastfeeding is persistently painful, if your baby can’t seem to maintain a latch, if there’s clicking during feeding, or if weight gain is a concern, those are strong signals to seek an evaluation. A provider trained in functional assessment — not just visual inspection — can give you the clearest picture.
Is the laser procedure safe for newborns and very young infants?
Yes. Laser-assisted frenectomy is considered a safe, minimally invasive procedure for infants. The use of a soft-tissue laser allows for precise treatment with minimal bleeding and faster healing compared to traditional methods. Dr. Jung has experience and training in treating the youngest patients with appropriate care and gentleness.
Does the procedure hurt the baby?
The laser procedure itself is very brief, and because the laser seals tissue as it works, bleeding is minimal. Infants typically cry more from the handling involved than from the treatment itself. Most babies settle quickly afterward — and because Dr. Jung welcomes the lactation consultant into the room, many infants go straight to the breast or bottle immediately after the release, which is one of the most reassuring moments for a family that has been struggling for weeks.
Why does Dr. Jung invite the lactation consultant into the procedure room?
Because the moment immediately after the release is one of the most important moments in the entire process. The tongue has just been freed. The tissue is fresh. Having a lactation consultant present means mom gets expert, hands-on feeding support at the exact moment the infant can begin experiencing what unrestricted movement actually feels like. It’s a level of coordinated care that makes a real difference.
Does Dr. Jung do a follow-up after the procedure?
Yes — a one-week follow-up appointment is a standard part of Dr. Jung’s care protocol after every laser frenectomy. At that visit, she checks the healing site, reviews how feeding has been progressing, confirms that the stretching exercises are being done correctly, and addresses any questions or concerns that have come up during the first week at home. Families consistently tell us that this visit gives them enormous peace of mind.
What if feeding doesn’t improve right away after the procedure?
This is completely normal. The muscles, tongue posture, and feeding patterns that developed during the period of restriction take time to change. Working with a lactation consultant alongside the frenectomy gives the best outcomes. Dr. Jung’s team coordinates care to ensure you’re supported — and the one-week follow-up is specifically designed to catch and address any concerns before they compound.
My pediatrician said my baby’s tie isn’t affecting feeding. Should I still get an evaluation?
If your instincts tell you something is wrong, and feeding continues to be painful or difficult, it’s absolutely reasonable to seek a second opinion from someone who specifically evaluates oral function in infants. Not all practitioners are trained to assess the functional impact of a tie — only its visual appearance.
Do you see patients from outside Mansfield?
Absolutely. Central Park Dental & Orthodontics welcomes patients from throughout the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex, from surrounding communities like Burleson, Midlothian, Grand Prairie, and Fort Worth, and even families traveling from out of state who are seeking specialized care. Please call the office to discuss scheduling and logistics.
What is the recovery time after a laser frenectomy?
Most infants return to normal activity — which for them means feeding, sleeping, and being comforted — within a day or two. The stretching exercises need to continue for several weeks to prevent tissue reattachment. Full healing of the release site typically occurs within a few weeks, though feeding improvements may continue to develop over a longer period as movement patterns normalize.
How does airway health relate to a tongue tie in an infant?
When the tongue cannot rest at the roof of the mouth in its proper position, it affects how the palate and upper jaw develop. Over time, a low-resting tongue can contribute to a narrower airway, mouth breathing tendencies, and altered facial growth patterns. Addressing a tongue tie early is one component of a broader commitment to healthy oral and airway development.
What makes Central Park Dental & Orthodontics different for infant care?
Dr. Jung holds a degree in Child Psychology and Education in addition to her dental training. She approaches infant care with both clinical precision and genuine developmental awareness. She welcomes lactation consultants into the procedure room so that feeding support begins the moment the release is complete. She schedules every family for a one-week follow-up to make sure healing and feeding are on track. And the practice’s philosophy — grounded in whole-body wellness and airway-focused dentistry — means that your baby’s care is viewed in the context of their full health, not just a single issue.
To schedule an evaluation or to ask questions about whether your infant may benefit from a consultation, contact Central Park Dental & Orthodontics at 817-466-1200 or visit centralparkdental.net.
Central Park Dental & Orthodontics is located at 1101 Alexis Ct #101, Mansfield, TX 76063, proudly serving families in Mansfield, Arlington, Burleson, Fort Worth, Grand Prairie, Midlothian, Kennedale, South Arlington, Alvarado, Irving, Bedford, Haltom City, Lillian, Sublett, Britton, Greater Arlington, and beyond.
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Educational Disclaimer: This blog post is provided for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended to serve as medical or dental advice, and it should not be used as a substitute for a professional evaluation, diagnosis, or individualized treatment plan from a licensed healthcare provider. Every patient — and every infant — is unique. The information shared here reflects general knowledge about lip and tongue ties and laser-assisted frenectomy but does not account for individual clinical circumstances. If you have concerns about your infant’s feeding, oral development, or health, please consult a qualified dental or medical professional directly. Dr. Jiyoung Jung and the team at Central Park Dental & Orthodontics welcome your questions and are happy to provide personalized guidance during a scheduled consultation.
