Dr. Ben, HELLO!
I’m struggling to breastfeed my 2-month-old. She spits up a lot, nursing is painful and feedings seem to take forever. A friend mentioned a tongue tie might be the issue. Could that be what’s going on?
Sincerely,
Frustrated and Tired in Blue Springs
Dr. Ben’s Response…
HELLO! Frustrated and Tired in Blue Springs,
First off. You are not alone. Feeding challenges in the early months can quickly become frustrating and you’re doing the right thing by asking questions. Many parents are surprised to learn that something as small as a tight piece of tissue under the tongue or lip can cause such big issues. It’s called a tongue or lip tie and yes, your friend could be right. A tongue tie could be the reason feeding has become a struggle for you and your baby.
Let’s talk about what a tongue or lip tie is, what to look for, and why diagnosing and treating it early can help prevent long-term challenges down the road.
What Is a Tongue or Lip Tie?
A tongue or lip tie happens when the thin band of tissue (the frenulum) under your baby’s tongue or upper lip is too short, tight or thick. That restricted movement can make it harder for babies to feed and over time, it can start to affect other aspects of their development too.
Common Signs Your Baby Might Have a Tongue or Lip Tie
Some signs show up right away during feeding, like:
- Trouble latching or staying latched
- Clicking or smacking sounds during nursing
- Fussiness or gassiness after feeds
- Frequent spitting up or reflux
- Long or tiring feeding sessions
- Slow weight gain
- Milk leaking from the sides of the mouth
- Trouble keeping a pacifier in place
Mothers might also experience:
- Painful nursing
- Damaged or flattened nipples
- Low milk supply
- Plugged ducts or mastitis
If you’re experiencing any of these signs, it’s worth having your baby evaluated. The earlier we identify a tongue or lip tie, the sooner we can help both of you find some relief.
What Happens if a Tongue or Lip Tie Isn’t Treated?
Here’s where your question gets really important because tongue and lip ties don’t always go away with time. In fact, as your child grows, the same restricted tissue can start to affect more than just feeding.
Some long-term effects can include:
Speech delays or unclear pronunciation. Kids may struggle to say certain sounds like L, R, S, TH, or SH.
Difficulty chewing or swallowing food. A limited range of tongue movement can make eating stressful.
Mouth breathing or snoring. Restricted tongue posture can lead to sleep disruptions or noisy breathing at night.
Dental concerns. Ties can contribute to gaps between teeth or make brushing difficult, raising the risk for cavities.
The good news? It’s never too late to get help. Identifying and treating a tongue or lip tie in infancy can reduce or prevent many of these issues. And even if it’s missed early on, gentle treatment later in childhood can still make a big difference.
How Does Treatment Work?
At Hello! Pediatric Dentistry, we use advanced dental lasers to gently release tongue and lip ties in a quick, low-stress procedure called a frenectomy. It usually takes less than 30 seconds, with little to no bleeding or discomfort and no stitches.
Having performed these procedures for more than six years, I can tell you that most babies feel just fine afterward and many parents notice improvements right away.
Not Sure if It’s a Tongue Tie?
Some tongue or lip ties are easy to spot; others aren’t. You don’t have to figure it out on your own. If your baby is having trouble feeding or you just have a gut feeling something’s off, we’re happy to take a look, answer questions and help you decide what’s best for your child.
Let us know if you’d like to schedule a consultation!
Dr. Ben
HELLO! Pediatric Dentistry
