You have tried every position, worked with a lactation consultant, and adjusted your latch more times than you can count. The pain has not gone away, your baby still seems unsatisfied after long nursing sessions, and your milk supply is starting to slip. When breastfeeding challenges persist despite doing everything right, a tongue tie is often what nobody has checked for yet.
At University Pediatric Dentistry, tongue tie and lip tie treatment is one of our most distinctive services Dr. Funny provides, and families travel from across the Charlotte region to receive her care. With over 18 years of experience as a board-certified pediatric dentist and 15 years as a private practice owner, Dr. Funny built her evaluation process around one principle: getting the diagnosis right before recommending any procedure.
What a Tongue Tie Does to a Breastfeeding Baby
Tongue tie, known clinically as ankyloglossia, occurs when the band of tissue under the tongue is too tight or short to allow full tongue movement. During breastfeeding, that restriction matters immediately. Nursing requires a baby to extend and cup the tongue to create a seal around the breast and draw milk efficiently. When that range of motion is limited, the baby compensates with a shallow latch, which reduces milk transfer and places pressure on the nipple that causes pain.
Over time, when feeding is a struggle, sessions run longer, the baby stays frustrated and milk supply can start to dip because the breast isn’t being fully drained. Many of the families we see at University Pediatric Dentistry have already spent weeks troubleshooting these exact issues with their lactation consultant before a tongue restriction was identified as the root cause.
The Signs Lactation Consultants Watch For
Providers who work closely with breastfeeding families develop a clear picture of what tongue tie looks like in practice. The patterns that most often prompt a referral for a functional assessment include the following:
- Persistent nipple pain: Soreness or cracking that does not resolve with positioning adjustments or hands-on lactation support
- Clicking or smacking sounds: Audible signs the baby is losing suction and cannot maintain a consistent seal
- Prolonged nursing sessions: Feedings lasting 45 minutes or more with the baby still seeming hungry
- Slow or stalled weight gain: A pattern of poor milk transfer that shows up on the scale over days or weeks
- Maternal milk supply concerns: Breast fullness that is not clearing, leading to decreased output over time
When several of these patterns are present together, a referral for evaluation with a tongue tie specialist is a reasonable and appropriate next step, one your lactation consultant can initiate.
Why a Referral-Based Evaluation Protects Your Family
Not every breastfeeding struggle is caused by a tongue tie, and not every tongue tie needs to be treated. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends a coordinated care approach that brings together lactation consultants, feeding therapists and the treating provider before any procedure is considered. This matters because an unnecessary frenectomy carries real risks and may not resolve the feeding difficulty if the diagnosis was not accurate.
At University Pediatric Dentistry, we require a referral from a functional assessment provider before scheduling a tongue tie evaluation. This is how we make sure every family who sits down with Dr. Funny has already been seen by someone qualified to assess oral function. The evaluation with Dr. Funny then focuses on tongue and lip mobility, oral development and whether a restriction can be treated appropriately in our setting.
What a Laser Frenectomy Involves for Nursing Infants
When the assessment confirms that a restriction is affecting feeding and treatment is warranted, Dr. Funny uses the Solea CO2 laser to perform the frenectomy. The procedure is brief, involves minimal discomfort and produces little to no bleeding. For nursing infants, feeding can typically resume right away after the procedure, and that first nursing session after release often gives families their first real glimpse of what a full latch can feel like.
Dr. Funny personally follows up with a virtual call after every frenectomy to check on healing and answer questions. Most other practices do not offer this level of direct follow-through. Our laser dentistry approach is precise and built for young patients, and our team provides detailed post-procedure instructions and stretching exercises. We ensure that families have an established functional provider in place to assist with post-procedure care and help support a successful recovery at home.
Connect With University Pediatric Dentistry in Charlotte
University Pediatric Dentistry has been serving Charlotte families as a trusted private practice for over 15 years. Dr. Funny is a board-certified pediatric dentist and one of the few female practitioners in the region with extensive experience in tongue tie and lip tie care. For families seeking flexible payment options, we accept CareCredit, HSA and FSA funds, cash, and major credit cards. We also offer an in-house membership plan for families without traditional dental insurance. Visit our financial options page to learn more about the ways we can make care affordable for your family.
If your lactation consultant or feeding specialist has raised the possibility of a tongue tie, we are ready to help you take the next step. Contact our office to learn about the referral process and schedule your child’s functional assessment.