How Do I Know if My Baby Needs a Tongue Tie Release?
It can be heartbreaking watching your baby struggle with eating and sleep when you know you’re doing everything right. Whether they’re having difficulty latching, experiencing colic-like symptoms, reflux, sleeping poorly or acting fussy during feedings, a tongue tie may be the hidden culprit. A tongue tie occurs when the tissue connecting the tongue to the bottom of the mouth is too tight, thick, or short, limiting movement. This can make vital tasks like nursing, bottle feeding, quality sleep, or future speech development more challenging.
At Restoration Dentistry, we help parents understand when a tongue tie release can make all the difference for their baby’s comfort and development. We use advanced, precise techniques to ensure a comfortable experience for both you and your little one, helping restore natural movement and function. If you’re unsure whether your baby needs a tongue tie release, we’re here to guide you every step of the way. Here’s what you need to know!
What Is a Tongue Tie and How Does It Restrict Movement?
A tongue tie, also known as a mid-tongue restriction, limits your tongue’s ability to reach the roof of your mouth without compensation. Tongue ties in babies can impact their ability to create a proper latch while feeding, lead to poor quality sleep, and impact their speech and jaw development. Tongue ties can also significantly impact healthy nasal breathing.
Depending on the severity of your child’s tongue tie, they may have a grade 1, 2, 3, or 4 impairment. However, it is important to understand that not every tongue tie requires a surgical release to improve mobility. At Restoration Dentistry, we strive to take a collaborative approach across many different medical fields to support your child’s airway and dental success and ensure the best results in improving tongue mobility. Your baby’s interdisciplinary care team may include the following:
- Craniosacral therapists
- Chiropractors
- Lactation consultants
If a tongue tie release is necessary, an airway-focused dentist will use a gentle Co2 laser to make a small incision that detaches your child’s restricted tongue. This is known as a functional frenotomy or frenuloplasty (depending on severity). We use these gentle lasers to perform tongue tie releases right in our office, providing a stress-free experience for you and your baby.
Signs Your Baby May Need a Tongue Tie Release
A more severe tongue tie in a baby may appear heart-shaped due to a short or thick tissue connecting it to the bottom of their mouth. However, there are several other signs to watch for that could indicate your child may need a tongue tie release. Many parents first notice their baby has a tongue tie during breastfeeding. Your baby may have difficulty latching or may become fussy because they aren’t getting enough milk. Some other breastfeeding-related signs may include the following:
- Clicking noises as the baby loses suction
- Milk leaking out of the corners of their mouth
- Longer than standard feeding times
- Poor weight gain
- Gumming or chewing at the breast rather than sucking
If you suspect your little one has a tongue tie, you should contact an airway-focused dentist to discuss your child’s treatment options and get them on a plan that improves their ability to eat and breathe with ease, as this will affect not only their health today but the way they grow and develop in the future.
Let Restoration Dentistry Prove Gentle Solutions for Your Baby’s Oral Health
Watching your baby struggle with feeding and poor sleep can be frustrating and overwhelming, but you don’t have to navigate it alone. At Restoration Dentistry, we take a whole-health approach to diagnosing and treating tongue ties, ensuring that every step supports your child’s long-term oral and airway health. Our advanced laser technology allows for a precise and gentle release, minimizing discomfort and promoting faster healing.
We also collaborate with a network of specialists—including lactation consultants, craniosacral therapists, and pediatric chiropractors—to provide the most comprehensive care possible. Our goal is to help your baby feed, breathe, and thrive with ease. If you’re ready to explore whether a tongue tie release is right for your child, call us at (208) 229-1500 or reach out through our contact form.
