A frenum is a small piece of connective tissue that joins two structures. You have two types of oral frenums — one that connects your lips to your gums, and one that connects your tongue to the floor of your mouth. They give support to your lips and tongue.
A frenum (or frenulum) is a thin, ropelike piece of tissue that connects two bodily structures. You have frenums in various areas of your body, like your genitals, digestive tract and brain. You also have them in your mouth — and you might notice them whenever you brush your teeth or smile in front of a mirror.
There are two types of oral frenums:
If a frenum gets irritated or injured, you might develop pain and swelling in the area. This common issue usually goes away on its own.
Some people are born with a frenum that’s too thick or abnormally attached. If a frenum attaches too high or too low, it can interfere with proper function like chewing, speaking and even brushing your teeth.
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The main purpose of frenulums in your mouth is to stabilize and provide support for your lips and tongue. Without your frenums, everyday tasks like chewing and speaking would be difficult.
Most people have several oral frenums. The most prominent ones are the:
You also have smaller buccal frenums (“buccal” means “cheek”) going all the way back on both sides of your mouth. They support and give structure to your cheeks and lips.
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An oral frenum is a ropelike band of tissue, usually about the same color as your gums. Frenums vary in size — some thin, some thick. They can also be short or long, depending on the person.
Frenums contain elements that make them small but mighty:
Dentists commonly treat these conditions related to frenums:
The conditions listed above can cause a wide array of symptoms, including:
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If tongue-tie causes breastfeeding difficulties and no other adjustments or treatments help, your child's healthcare provider may recommend a frenectomy. Surgeons don't perform frenectomy to correct speech issues as there's no evidence to support that they're necessary or helpful.
The best way to keep your frenums healthy is to practice good oral hygiene. Regular brushing and flossing helps reduce harmful bacteria that may cause tissue inflammation.
A frenum is a band of tissue that connects two bodily structures. A frenulum is simply a small frenum. Most healthcare providers use these terms interchangeably.
Both terms come from the Latin word “frēnulum,” which means “little bridle.”
A note from Cleveland Clinic
Chances are, you don’t think about your frenums very often. In fact, if you’ve never had anything wrong with them, you might not recognize the term at all.
Frenums are tiny bands of tissue with big jobs. They help babies breastfeed. They help toddlers learn how to form words. They keep your lips and tongue exactly where they should be, so you can eat, chew and speak without worry.
If your child has difficulty breastfeeding tell your healthcare provider. If a frenum is the culprit, a simple procedure may help.
Last reviewed on 12/12/2023.
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Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy