Renee,
Jessica mentioned Brian Palmer's work and there are also several more
dentists that have done excellent work researching this topic. Dr. Lawrence
Kotlow has many excellent articles on his web site:
http://www.kiddsteeth.com/articles.html

In a nutshell, when the tongue (and/or lip) is restricted by a tight
frenulum it cannot perform its normal functions.  So, the tongue may not be
able to clean and perform its "oral toilette", it may not be able to reach
the palate and self clean and spread the palate, it may knock teeth out of
position because of the suboptimal way it must move, it can exacerbate sleep
apnea issues, etc, etc. If a lip is restricted by the maxillary labial
frenum bacteria can pool around the pockets of tissue that form near the
restricted frenum, a diastema (gap) can occur between the front teeth later
requiring corrective orthodontia, etc.

There is no good reason for oral frenula to remain restrictive.  The frenula
are bits of connective tissues that were meant to regress via apoptosis in
utero and did not fully do so in some individuals. So I am thrilled to hear
more and more BC dentists are willing to acknowledge and correct the root of
many problems...a tongue and/or lip tie!

Melissa Cole, IBCLC
www.lunalactation.com

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