Mouth Frenum: Tiny Tissue, Big Impact?

By Dr. Priya Sammani ( MBBS, DFM )

Ever really looked inside your mouth? I mean, really looked? Maybe while brushing, you’ve noticed that little stringy bit of skin connecting your tongue to the floor of your mouth, or the one tethering your upper lip to your gums. It’s a funny little thing, isn’t it? Most of us don’t give it a second thought, until, well, maybe it starts causing a bit of bother. Or perhaps you’re a new parent, and you’ve heard talk about something called a ‘tongue-tie’ affecting your little one’s feeding. That’s where the humble frenum comes into the picture.

So, what exactly is this frenum (or frenulum, if you want to be technical – more on that later!)? Think of it as a small, ropelike piece of tissue. Its job is to connect two different parts of your body. You’ve actually got them in a few places – your digestive tract, even your brain. But today, we’re talking about the ones in your mouth. You might spot them when you’re brushing or pulling a face in the mirror!

There are two main types we talk about in the mouth:

  • The lingual frenulum: This is the one under your tongue, connecting it to the floor of your mouth. Lift your tongue now – see it?
  • The labial frenulum: This bit of tissue connects your lips to your gums. You have a few of these, but the most obvious one is usually right between your upper front teeth.

These little tethers are surprisingly important. Their main job is to keep your lips and tongue stable and give them support. Honestly, without your mouth’s frenums, everyday things like chewing your food properly or even chatting away would be a lot trickier.

Getting to Know Your Mouth’s Frenums

Most of us have several of these oral frenums. The ones you’re most likely to notice are:

  • That lingual frenulum under your tongue.
  • A labial frenulum just above your top two front teeth.
  • Another labial frenulum just below your bottom two front teeth.

But wait, there’s more! You also have smaller ones called buccal frenums (buccal just means ‘cheek’) further back on both sides of your mouth. They help support your cheeks and lips, giving them structure.

What do they look like? Well, a mouth frenum is usually a ropelike band, often the same pinkish color as your gums. They come in all shapes and sizes – some are thin, others thicker. Some are short, some are longer. It really varies from person to person.

And don’t let their small size fool you; these frenums are pretty robust. They’re made of:

  • Fibrous connective tissues: Packed with collagen (that’s a protein giving strength and support).
  • Elastic fibers: For a bit of stretch and flexibility.
  • Tiny striated muscle fibers: Helping with those more forceful movements.

When Frenums Cause Trouble: Signs and Symptoms

Usually, your frenums go about their business without any fuss. But sometimes, they can get irritated, injured, or might have been a bit different from birth. If a frenum is too thick, too short, or attached in an unusual way, it can sometimes interfere with how your mouth works – things like chewing, speaking, or even brushing your teeth properly.

Here are some common issues I see in my practice, or hear about from my dental colleagues:

  • Frenum tear: Ouch! These can happen if you bump or snag your frenum. Think sports injuries, car accidents, or sometimes even just from vigorous eating, kissing, or if you wear braces. It can be painful and swell up, but often heals on its own.
  • Lip-tie: This happens when a labial frenulum (usually the upper one) is too short or tight, restricting lip movement. This can sometimes make it tricky for babies to latch properly during breastfeeding.
  • Tongue-tie (ankyloglossia): This is a term you might have heard, especially if you have little ones. It’s when the lingual frenulum (under the tongue) is too short, limiting how much the tongue can move.
  • Tooth gap (diastema): Sometimes, a particularly thick labial frenulum between the upper front teeth can actually push the teeth apart, creating a gap.
  • Gum recession: If a labial frenulum is too short and pulls constantly, it can cause the gums to recede, or pull away from the teeth. This can expose the tooth roots, which isn’t ideal.

If you or your child are experiencing any of these, you might notice:

  • A sore or swollen frenum.
  • Difficulty swallowing.
  • Speech difficulties (though this is complex and not always directly frenum-related).
  • Snoring or breathing through the mouth more often.
  • Trouble sticking out the tongue fully.
  • For babies with tongue-tie or lip-tie, you might see issues with breastfeeding like a poor latch, clicking sounds while feeding, or slow weight gain. For mom, it might mean sore nipples. Poor little mites.
  • Sometimes, though less commonly, it can contribute to developmental quirks in the mouth, like how teeth come together (malocclusion) or jaw alignment.

What Can We Do About Frenum Issues?

If a frenum is causing genuine problems, we do have ways to help. It’s not always about jumping to a procedure, though.

For instance, with tongue-tie in babies, if it’s making breastfeeding a real struggle – and believe me, I know how stressful that can be for new parents – and other feeding support hasn’t helped, your pediatrician or a lactation consultant might discuss a procedure called a frenectomy. This is a simple procedure where the tight frenum is released. It’s quick, and often provides immediate relief for feeding.

It’s worth mentioning that when it comes to speech issues, simply cutting a frenum (a frenectomy) isn’t typically recommended as the first-line solution. The evidence that it helps significantly with speech development on its own is still a bit mixed, and speech is super complex! So, we’d usually explore speech therapy and other avenues first.

For other issues, like a frenum causing gum recession or a large tooth gap, a dentist or specialist would assess if a frenectomy or another approach might be beneficial. We’ll always talk through all the options for you or your loved one.

Keeping Your Frenums Happy and Healthy

The good news? Keeping your frenums healthy is mostly about what you’re (hopefully!) already doing.

Good old-fashioned oral hygiene is key. Brushing regularly and flossing helps keep down the harmful bacteria that could cause inflammation or irritation in those delicate tissues. Simple as that, really!

A Quick Note on Names: Frenum vs. Frenulum

Oh, and before I forget – you might hear both ‘frenum’ and ‘frenulum’ used. Don’t worry, they’re pretty much interchangeable. ‘Frenulum’ is just the fancy Latin term for a small frenum. Think of it like ‘mom’ and ‘mother’ – different words, same meaning. Both come from a Latin word ‘frēnulum,’ which charmingly means ‘little bridle.’ Cute, right?

Take-Home Message: Key Things to Remember About Your Mouth’s Frenum

Here’s a quick rundown:

  • A frenum is a normal piece of tissue connecting parts of your mouth, like your tongue to the floor of your mouth or your lips to your gums.
  • They play a role in important functions like eating and speaking.
  • Sometimes, a frenum can be too short, thick, or tight. This can lead to issues like tongue-tie, lip-tie, tooth gaps, or gum problems.
  • If a frenum is causing difficulties, especially with breastfeeding in babies, a simple procedure called a frenectomy might be an option.
  • Good oral hygiene is the best way to keep your frenums healthy and out of trouble.

So, those little bands of tissue in your mouth are doing more than you might think! If you ever have any concerns about your own frenums, or your child’s, don’t hesitate to chat with us or your dentist. You’re not alone in this, and we’re here to help.

Dr. Priya Sammani
Medically Reviewed by
MBBS, Postgraduate Diploma in Family Medicine
Dr. Priya Sammani is the founder of Priya.Health and Nirogi Lanka. She is dedicated to preventive medicine, chronic disease management, and making reliable health information accessible for everyone.
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