How Pediatric Dentists Diagnose and Treat Tongue Ties
Ever noticed your baby struggling to latch during feedings? Or maybe your toddler can’t quite stick their tongue out or has trouble saying certain words? These can be early signs of a tongue tie—and while it may sound like a small issue, it can have a big impact on your child’s eating, speaking, and even breathing.
At All About Kids Pediatric Dentistry, we see tongue ties more often than you’d think, and we’re here to help you understand what they are and how we treat them with care and compassion.
What Is a Tongue Tie, Anyway?
A tongue tie happens when the small piece of tissue connecting the bottom of the tongue to the floor of the mouth (called the frenulum) is too tight or short. This limits how much the tongue can move, which can affect your child in a lot of ways—especially in those early developmental stages.
Some common signs include:
Trouble breastfeeding or bottle-feeding
Difficulty starting solid foods
Speech delays or trouble pronouncing certain sounds
Snoring or breathing with the mouth open
A hard time sticking their tongue out or licking things like ice cream cones
Not every tongue tie causes problems, but when it does, it’s important to catch it early.
How We Diagnose Tongue Ties
At your child’s dental checkup, we take a close (and gentle!) look at how their tongue moves, how it’s attached, and how it might be affecting their daily life. If you’ve noticed feeding issues, picky eating, or speech concerns at home, we definitely want to hear about it.
We also work closely with other providers like lactation consultants, pediatricians, and speech therapists when needed—because the more we know, the better we can help.
What Happens If Treatment Is Needed?
If we do find that a tongue tie is affecting your child’s health or development, we may recommend a frenectomy, which is a quick and simple procedure to release the tight tissue.
It may sound intimidating, but for many kids, it’s over in just a few minutes and recovery is fast. Some kids even breastfeed or eat normally right afterward.
We’ll talk you through every step so you feel comfortable and confident in the plan. And if your child is older, we may recommend some tongue exercises or a short therapy plan to help strengthen their muscles after treatment.
Will My Child Definitely Need Treatment?
Not always! If the tongue tie isn’t causing any issues, we might simply monitor it over time. Our goal is always to do what’s best for your child, and that might mean waiting and watching instead of jumping into treatment.
We’re With You Every Step of the Way
Tongue ties can be stressful, especially if you’re not sure what’s going on. But the good news is—you’re not alone, and we’re here to help. Our team is experienced in diagnosing and treating tongue ties in infants, toddlers, and kids of all ages.
We’re all about making your child’s dental experience positive, gentle, and full of smiles—because when your child feels good, so do you.
If you have questions or concerns, give us a call or schedule a visit. We’re always happy to chat and help your family feel confident in your child’s care.