Tongue &Lip Tie

Dr. Shoha, trained by Dr. Zaghi at The Breathe Institute, specializes in evaluating and addressing tethered oral tissues, focusing on tongue function and range of motion. Tongue mobility plays a vital role in breastfeeding, facial growth, airway development, speech, oral hygiene, and swallowing. Dr. Shoha offers minimally invasive release procedures using the LightScalpel CO2 laser and the Zaghi method, ensuring optimal outcomes for infants to adults. Contact our office for an airway and tongue tie evaluation if you or a loved one may benefit from our expertise.

  • Symptoms in Infants

    • Breastfeeding difficulty

    • Weight gain/failure to thrive - this may be a late sign

    • Sleeping issues- snoring, choking sounds, not sleeping through the night after 6 months of age

    • Open mouth posture and mouth breathing usually with too much saliva

    • Strong gag reflex

    • Recurrent ear infections

    • Reflux, colic

    • Excessive time for eating, food aversions, texture aversions and preference for soft foods

  • Symptoms in Toddlers & Children

    • Delayed growth, especially in the midface (nose area)

    • Restless sleep or difficulty sleeping, even when tired

    • Mouth-breathing, snoring

    • Respiratory issues including asthma, recurrent ear infections and/or tubes, enlarged tonsils

    • Diagnosis of Sleep Apnea

    • Speech problems — language delays, articulation issues

    • ADHD, anxiety, depression, aggressive behaviors, emotional dysregulation

    • Digestion concerns: reflux, IBS, constipation

    • Bed-wetting

    • Dental issues: tooth grinding, crowded/crooked baby teeth, worn baby teeth, cavities

    • Prolonged pacifier use or thumb/finger-sucking

    • Venous pooling (bags under eyes)

  • Symptoms in Teens & Adults

    • Sleep issues: exhaustion, fatigue upon awakening, snoring, sleep apnea, restless sleep, awakening to go to the bathroom, awakening with your heart racing, night sweats

    • Fatigue

    • Difficulty focusing in class, lack of interest in school, appears unmotivated

    • ADHD, anxiety, depression

    • Speech therapy

    • Dental issues: grinding or clenching teeth, TMJ problems, migraines, headaches, history of braces, teeth crowding, use of a night guard

    • Difficulty using nasal breathing

    • Digestion concerns: reflux/IBS/constipation

Clinical research has shown that the fascia under the tongue is connected to neck and shoulder areas as well as the hips and all the way down to the toes. Often, first stretching then releasing the tongue tie (fascia under the tongue) can have incredibly profound effects on seemingly unrelated parts.

On a personal note, when Dr. Zaghi released my tongue tie, this is what I experienced:

  1. The deepest breath I have ever taken. My first words were, “Is this how other people breathe? It’s incredible."

  2. Immediate release of tightness in my neck and shoulders. It felt like a warmth running down my neck and back.

  3. Gait change. Despite working on it, my feet would go outward while walking, after tongue tie release, I can walk with feet pointing straight ahead.

A Note From Dr. Shoha