The most common signs of a tongue tie in a baby show up during feeding: a shallow latch that keeps slipping, clicking sounds while nursing or bottle-feeding, feeds that take a long time or seem tiring, poor weight gain, and a tongue that can’t lift or reach past the lower gum. A tongue tie can only be confirmed by a healthcare provider, though, since not every tight-looking frenulum actually causes problems.
What is a tongue tie?
A tongue tie, known medically as ankyloglossia, happens when the small band of tissue under the tongue (the frenulum) is short or tight and limits how freely the tongue can move. A related condition, a lip tie, occurs when the tissue connecting the upper lip to the gums is tight. Both are present from birth and are fairly common.
What matters isn’t how a tie looks, but whether it affects function, mainly feeding in the early months. Many babies have a slightly tight frenulum and feed perfectly well.
Signs of a tongue tie in your baby
During feeding, you might notice your baby:
- Struggles to latch, or latches shallowly and slips off
- Makes a clicking sound while feeding
- Feeds for a very long time and still seems hungry
- Is gassy or fussy from swallowing air
- Gains weight slowly
- Can’t stick their tongue out past their lower lip or gums
- Has a tongue that looks heart-shaped at the tip when they cry
Signs you might notice while breastfeeding
A tongue tie affects the feeding pair, not just the baby. If you’re breastfeeding, signs can show up on your side too:
- Painful nursing, or cracked and sore nipples
- A nipple that looks pinched or flattened after feeds
- Feeling like your baby never fully empties the breast
- Milk supply that dips over time from inefficient feeding
Signs that can appear as your child grows
Not every tongue tie is caught in infancy. In older children, a tie can sometimes contribute to speech or articulation concerns, difficulty with certain foods, a gap between the lower front teeth, or trouble clearing food from around the teeth.
When should I get my baby checked?
If feeding is painful, exhausting, or just isn’t working, or your baby isn’t gaining weight as expected, it’s worth having things assessed. A pediatric dentist, your baby’s doctor, or a lactation consultant can look at how the tongue moves and how your baby feeds, not only how the frenulum looks. Concerns are often first raised at a baby’s first dental visit or a feeding appointment.
An assessment is about function. If a tie is genuinely causing problems, treatment can help. If it isn’t, you’ll leave reassured.
What happens if a tongue tie needs treatment?
When a tie is affecting feeding and treatment is recommended, it can be released with a quick procedure. Our board-certified pediatric dentists use a gentle laser for tongue and lip tie releases, which usually means minimal bleeding, little discomfort, and fast healing. Not every tie needs releasing, and the team will explain clearly what they find before recommending anything.
Frequently asked questions
Do all tongue ties need to be treated? No. Many ties never cause a problem. Treatment is only recommended when a tie is interfering with feeding, speech, or oral health.
Can a tongue tie affect my child’s speech later? Sometimes. Most speech develops normally, but a significant tie can occasionally affect certain sounds. A provider can assess whether it’s a factor.
Who can diagnose a tongue tie in my baby? A pediatric dentist, physician, or lactation consultant can assess for a tongue tie and advise whether any treatment is needed.
Book a tongue tie assessment in Toronto
If feeding has been difficult and you’re wondering about a tongue tie, a proper assessment brings answers either way. The team at Superkids Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics in Toronto assesses and treats oral ties in a calm, child-focused setting here in The Junction. Book an appointment online or call 416-792-1155.