Tongue Tie in Babies and Children: When to Treat and What to Expect
“She just couldn’t latch no matter how hard we tried.”
That’s how one mother described the first few days of breastfeeding her newborn, a story countless parents can relate to. Tired, worried, and wondering what they were doing wrong, these parents eventually learned their baby had a tongue tie—a surprisingly common condition that can make something as natural as feeding a daily struggle. But tongue ties don’t just impact infants. Older children can experience speech difficulties, dental challenges, and even breathing or sleep problems tied to restricted tongue movement.
If you’re a parent in The Woodlands wondering whether your child needs treatment for tongue tie, you are not alone. Let’s take a closer, more compassionate look at what tongue tie really is, how to tell if treatment might help, and what to expect before, during, and after a frenectomy procedure.
What Is a Tongue Tie, Really?
A tongue tie (or ankyloglossia, in clinical terms) happens when the thin piece of tissue connecting the underside of the tongue to the floor of the mouth—called the lingual frenulum—is too tight, short, or thick. In babies, this can cause difficulties with breastfeeding or bottle feeding. In children, it can cause challenges with speech sounds, oral hygiene, and even healthy jaw and airway development.
Midway through childhood, a restrictive tongue tie can affect the natural resting posture of the tongue, which influences how the jaws grow and how the airway develops. Left untreated, some tongue ties can contribute to mouth breathing, sleep-disordered breathing, or even facial growth changes over time.
Straight Answer: A tongue tie is when the thin band of tissue under the tongue restricts normal movement, which can affect feeding, speech, and breathing.
How Do You Know If a Tongue Tie Needs Treatment?
This is one of the most personal and important decisions parents face. Not every tongue tie requires treatment. Here are the core questions we talk through with families at Tiny Tooth Co in The Woodlands:
- Is it affecting feeding? If your baby cannot latch, is in pain while feeding, or isn’t gaining weight, these are signs to consider evaluation.
- Is it affecting speech? Many children with tongue ties develop normal speech, but some struggle with specific sounds like "t," "d," or "l."
- Is it affecting breathing or sleep? If your child snores, mouth breathes, or shows signs of disturbed sleep, an airway evaluation might be appropriate.
- Is it affecting oral hygiene? Older children with severe tongue restriction may have trouble clearing food debris from their teeth, leading to cavities or gum inflammation.
Sometimes, a tongue tie is mild enough that no treatment is necessary, and parents simply monitor their child over time. But when feeding, speech, or airway health are at risk, treatment can make a life-changing difference.
What Is a Frenectomy and How Does It Work?
If your child needs treatment, your dentist or pediatric specialist may recommend a frenectomy. This is a quick procedure that releases the restrictive tissue under the tongue, allowing for normal range of motion. At Tiny Tooth Co, frenectomies can often be performed with a laser, which minimizes bleeding, promotes faster healing, and improves comfort.
Most babies tolerate the procedure remarkably well, often feeding immediately afterward with noticeable improvement. Older children, meanwhile, may need a bit more time and sometimes speech therapy support after their tongue tie release. But parents are often surprised how quickly things improve—speech clarity, swallowing, even breathing patterns can change once the tongue has proper freedom of movement.
For more details on our approach, you can read about frenectomy procedures here.
What About Airway-Focused Dentistry?
Here’s where modern pediatric dentistry is evolving. At Tiny Tooth Co, Dr. Sarah Arafat takes an airway-centered view of tongue ties. That means she doesn’t just look at the tongue in isolation—she considers how the tongue’s position influences breathing, jaw growth, and sleep patterns.
An airway-focused approach can help prevent long-term issues like mouth breathing, underdeveloped jaws, or even sleep apnea later in life. That’s why our evaluations go beyond feeding to look at how a tongue tie could impact the airway in both infancy and childhood.
Learn more about airway-focused dentistry if you’d like a deeper look at how the tongue and breathing are so closely connected.
Side Notes Parents Often Wonder About
- Pain and Recovery – Most babies feel only mild discomfort after a frenectomy and can return to feeding right away. Older kids may need exercises to keep the tongue mobile.
- Will It Reattach? – Post-procedure stretches or exercises are usually needed to prevent reattachment. Your dental team will guide you through them.
- Speech Therapy? – If speech delays were present before the procedure, speech therapy might still be needed, but the frenectomy can make therapy more successful.
- Cost Concerns – Every insurance policy is different; our team is happy to help you understand your benefits and options. For more, visit our insurance information.
Here’s What We Tell Our Patients in The Woodlands
At Tiny Tooth Co, we see tongue ties as more than just a minor inconvenience. They can have real impacts on feeding, breathing, and healthy growth. That’s why we focus on gentle, evidence-based care that respects each child’s unique needs. Whether your baby is struggling with latching or your grade-schooler is having speech challenges, a thoughtful evaluation is the first step toward confidence and peace of mind.
If you’d like to schedule a tongue tie consultation, you can contact us here, or call us at 281-297-8100.
FAQ
1. Can a tongue tie fix itself over time?
At Tiny Tooth Co in The Woodlands, we explain to parents that some mild tongue ties may stretch or loosen as a child grows, but many do not. If the tongue tie is impacting feeding, speech, or breathing, waiting too long may make things harder to treat later.
2. How long does a frenectomy take?
A typical frenectomy takes only a few minutes to complete, especially with laser technology. The real focus is on proper healing and follow-up exercises to prevent reattachment, which we carefully explain to each family.
3. Is a tongue tie always obvious?
No — some tongue ties are very subtle and only become noticeable when feeding or speech issues develop. That’s why a proper evaluation by a pediatric dentist is important if you suspect any problems.
4. Does insurance cover tongue tie treatment?
Many plans provide coverage for medically necessary frenectomies, but policies vary. At our practice, we help parents navigate their benefits so they feel confident about any financial decisions.
5. Will a tongue tie affect my child’s teeth?
In some cases, yes. A severe tongue tie can make it hard to clean teeth properly, leading to higher cavity risk or gum issues. Treating a tongue tie can help support better oral hygiene in the long term.
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