Labial/Tongue Ties in Children: Understanding When Treatment May Help
One of the most common questions we hear from parents of infants and young children is:
"Does my child have a tongue tie?"
The answer is not always as simple as looking underneath the tongue.
Many children have a visible frenum, the small band of tissue connecting the tongue to the floor of the mouth. What matters most is not simply how the tissue looks, but whether it is affecting the way the tongue functions.
At our office, we carefully evaluate both the appearance and function of the tongue to determine whether treatment may be beneficial.
What Is a Tongue Tie?
A tongue tie, also known as ankyloglossia, occurs when the tissue underneath the tongue restricts normal tongue movement.
Some tongue ties are very mild and cause no problems at all. Others may limit the tongue's ability to elevate, extend, or move freely.
Because the tongue plays an important role in feeding, swallowing, speech development, oral hygiene, and growth, restricted tongue movement can sometimes create challenges for children as they develop.
How Do We Evaluate a Tongue Tie?
One of the most important things parents should know is that we do not recommend treatment based solely on appearance.
Instead, we evaluate:
Tongue mobility
Feeding history
Speech concerns
Oral function
Growth and development
Symptoms reported by parents
Findings from other healthcare providers when appropriate
Our goal is to understand whether the tongue tie is creating functional limitations rather than simply determining whether a frenum is present.
What Problems Can a Tongue Tie Cause?
Every child is different.
Some children experience no symptoms at all, while others may experience challenges related to tongue movement.
Depending on a child's age, concerns may include:
In Infants
Difficulty latching during breastfeeding
Prolonged feeding sessions
Clicking sounds while feeding
Poor milk transfer
Maternal discomfort during nursing
Feeding frustration
Slow weight gain
In Older Children
Difficulty sticking the tongue out
Difficulty lifting the tongue
Speech concerns
Challenges clearing food from the teeth
Oral hygiene difficulties
Mechanical restrictions during eating
Not every child with these symptoms has a tongue tie, and not every tongue tie causes symptoms.
That's why a thorough evaluation is so important.
When Is a Tongue Tie Release Recommended?
Treatment may be recommended when there is evidence that the tongue tie is affecting function.
Our pediatric dental specialists consider:
Clinical examination findings
Tongue mobility
Feeding concerns
Functional limitations
Recommendations from lactation consultants, speech therapists, pediatricians, or other healthcare providers when appropriate
The decision is always individualized based on the needs of the child and family.
When Is Treatment Not Necessary?
Not every tongue tie requires treatment.
If a child has good tongue function, is feeding well, and is not experiencing symptoms related to tongue mobility, monitoring may be the most appropriate approach.
Our philosophy is simple:
We treat function, not just appearance.
Many children with visible frenums never require any intervention.
What Is a Tongue Tie Release?
A tongue tie release, often called a frenectomy or frenotomy, is a procedure that releases the restrictive tissue beneath the tongue and allows for improved mobility.
The goal is to improve tongue function and allow for more natural movement.
What Happens During the Procedure?
The procedure itself is typically very quick.
After the area is properly prepared, the restrictive tissue is released, allowing the tongue to move more freely.
Parents are often surprised by how quickly the procedure can be completed.
We provide detailed instructions regarding healing, stretching exercises when indicated, and follow-up care to help support the best possible outcome.
Why We Use the Solea® Laser for Tongue Tie Releases
One of the questions parents often ask is:
"Will my child need shots?"
"Will there be a lot of bleeding?"
"How difficult is the recovery?"
These are completely normal concerns, and one of the reasons we use the Solea® Laser for tongue tie releases whenever appropriate.
The Solea laser allows us to perform many tongue tie releases in a way that is gentle, precise, and comfortable for children.
What Makes the Solea Laser Different?
Unlike traditional surgical techniques, the Solea laser uses laser energy to precisely release the restrictive tissue beneath the tongue.
Because the laser is so precise, many children can have the procedure completed with little to no discomfort.
In many cases, the procedure is gentle enough that local anesthetic injections may not be necessary.
Minimal Bleeding and Faster Recovery
One of the advantages of laser treatment is that the laser simultaneously releases and cauterizes the tissue.
For parents, this often means:
Minimal bleeding
Less postoperative discomfort
Reduced swelling
Faster healing
A smoother recovery experience
Many parents are surprised by how quickly their child returns to normal activities after treatment.
What Should Parents Expect During the Procedure?
We understand that the thought of any procedure can be stressful for parents.
That's why we take time to explain every step and answer questions before treatment begins.
For younger children, one parent is typically able to remain in the treatment room during the procedure.
The actual release is remarkably quick.
While some children may cry during treatment, this is often because they are being held still or are in an unfamiliar environment rather than because they are experiencing significant discomfort.
Many parents are surprised by just how quickly the procedure is completed.
What Happens After the Release?
Recovery is often much easier than parents expect.
Following treatment, we provide detailed instructions regarding:
Postoperative care
Stretching exercises when indicated
Feeding recommendations
Follow-up appointments
Most families tell us that the anticipation was far more stressful than the actual procedure.
Our Goal: Gentle Treatment and Positive Experiences
Just like every aspect of our practice, our approach to tongue tie treatment is centered around the child.
We invest in technology such as the Solea laser because we believe it helps create a more comfortable experience for our patients and a more positive experience for their families.
Our goal is not simply to perform a procedure. Our goal is to help children receive the care they need in the gentlest way possible while giving parents confidence and peace of mind throughout the process.
For many families, that's exactly what makes the Solea laser such a valuable part of our tongue tie program.
Why Is Follow-Up Important?
A tongue tie release is only one part of the process.
Successful outcomes often involve:
Proper diagnosis
Appropriate patient selection
Follow-up care
Home exercises when indicated
Collaboration with other healthcare providers
For infants, this may include working with a lactation consultant. For older children, it may involve coordination with speech therapists or other specialists when appropriate.
How Our Office Approaches Tongue Ties
At our office, we believe every child deserves an individualized evaluation.
We understand that parents may encounter a wide range of opinions regarding tongue ties, and it can be difficult to know what information to trust.
Our pediatric dental specialists take the time to listen to your concerns, evaluate your child's oral function, and discuss whether treatment is likely to provide meaningful benefit.
We never recommend a procedure simply because a tongue tie is present.
Instead, our focus is understanding how your child's tongue is functioning and determining the most appropriate course of action based on their specific needs.
Our Goal: Helping Children Thrive
Whether a child requires treatment or simply monitoring, our goal is always the same: helping children eat, grow, develop, and smile with confidence.
By combining specialized pediatric training, careful evaluation, and a family-centered approach, we help parents make informed decisions about their child's oral health and development.