Something feels off, but you cannot quite name it. Feedings take forever, your baby seems frustrated at the breast, and the latch that worked yesterday is not working today. For many new parents, this exhausting cycle is the first sign that tongue tie may be at the root of the struggle.
At University Pediatric Dentistry, tongue-tie and lip-tie treatment is one of our most sought-after services. Dr. Funny is a board-certified pediatric dentist with over 15 years of experience evaluating and treating oral restrictions in infants and children, and as a mother herself, she understands the urgency parents feel when something is not right.
Why a Tongue Tie Is Easy to Miss
Tongue tie, known medically as ankyloglossia, occurs when the band of tissue connecting the underside of the tongue to the floor of the mouth is too short or tight. This restricts how freely the tongue can move, which matters more than most parents realize in the early weeks of a child’s life.
The condition is more common than many families expect, and it does not always look the same from child to child. Some cases are visible on inspection, while others only become apparent through a functional assessment that examines how the tongue actually moves during feeding or speech. Because there is no universal diagnostic standard, many families spend weeks troubleshooting the wrong things before a tongue restriction is identified as the cause.
What to Watch for in Nursing Infants
The earliest and most consistent signs of tongue tie show up during breastfeeding. A shallow or sliding latch that causes significant nipple pain, clicking or smacking sounds while nursing and prolonged feeding sessions that leave the baby still hungry are among the most common patterns. Nursing parents often describe working with a lactation consultant for weeks without full resolution, because the underlying restriction is limiting how effectively the tongue can draw milk.
Poor weight gain or a slow return to birth weight in the first two weeks is another signal worth raising with a provider. When a baby cannot transfer milk efficiently, the effects on growth become apparent quickly. If you are experiencing any combination of these signs and standard latch correction has not helped, a functional assessment with a tongue tie specialist is a reasonable and important next step.
Signs in Older Infants and Toddlers
A tongue tie does not always surface in infancy. As children grow, a restricted tongue can show up in different ways that parents may not immediately connect to oral anatomy. The signs worth discussing with a provider include:
- Difficulty with certain sounds: Consistent trouble producing “t,” “d,” “l,” “n,” “s” or “r” sounds may indicate limited tongue elevation.
- Picky or difficult eating: Struggling to move food around the mouth or manage certain textures can be a functional sign.
- Prolonged drooling: Drooling that continues beyond the typical developmental window.
- Mouth breathing: Habitual open-mouth posture that persists past infancy.
Any one of these may have other explanations, but when several appear together, they are worth evaluating with a pediatric dentist who understands oral function.
What the Assessment Process Looks Like
At University Pediatric Dentistry, Dr. Funny does not move from observation to treatment without a thorough evaluation first. A referral from a functional assessment provider, such as a lactation consultant, speech-language pathologist or pediatric airway specialist, is required before scheduling. This step exists to protect families from procedures that are not clearly warranted. We require a functional assessment is because our treatment is a collaborative approach. The family needs to have the outside support after treatment is rendered.
The assessment examines tongue and lip mobility, feeding patterns, speech development in older children, and overall oral function. According to a recent clinical report from the American Academy of Pediatrics, tongue-tie surgery has become increasingly common, and pediatric providers are encouraged to rule out other causes of feeding difficulty and coordinate with lactation and feeding specialists before recommending treatment. That standard of caution is built into how we approach every evaluation.
When Treatment Is the Right Step
When a functional assessment confirms that a restriction is affecting feeding, speech or development, Dr. Funny may recommend a laser frenectomy. We perform frenectomies using the laser dentistry approach with our Solea CO2 laser, which completes the release quickly with minimal discomfort and little to no bleeding. Most children are able to return to normal activity the same day, and breastfeeding families can typically resume nursing right after the procedure.
Dr. Funny personally follows up with a virtual call after every frenectomy to check on healing and answer any questions, a level of attentiveness families notice. We also welcome children with sensory sensitivities and other needs through our special needs care program, so every evaluation happens in an environment built for comfort, not just efficiency.
Schedule a Consultation at University Pediatric Dentistry in Charlotte
University Pediatric Dentistry has been a private practice serving families for over 15 years, and Dr. Funny brings deep experience in tongue tie and lip tie care to every visit. 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 through 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 you have questions about a tongue-tie or want to understand whether a functional assessment is the right next step for your child, we are here to help. Contact our office to get started.