Wondering if your baby or child is tongue-tied? Take our free 2-minute Tied to Success Check. Answer a few questions about feeding, speech, eating and sleep, and get clear next steps from a board-certified pediatric dentist in Lehi and South Jordan, Utah. Nothing you enter is saved or sent.
Signs of a tongue tie in babies
- Shallow latch, or slipping off the breast (the most common sign)
- Painful nursing, or creased, flat or white nipples after feeds
- Clicking sounds, milk leaking from the mouth, lots of gas or spit-up
- Very long or very frequent feeds, or slow weight gain
- Trouble with the bottle: dribbling, gulping or choking
Signs of a tongue tie in toddlers and kids
- Trouble with sounds like L, T, D, N or R, or speech therapy that has stalled
- Slow, messy eating or avoiding chewy foods like meat
- Snoring, mouth breathing or restless sleep
- A tongue that can’t lift to the roof of the mouth with the mouth wide open
How we look at tongue ties at Peak Pediatric Dentistry
A tongue can look normal and still not work well, and a tie that looks obvious may cause no problems at all. That’s why we look at how the tongue works, not just how it looks. Babies start with a lactation consultant (IBCLC), who watches a full feed. Older kids with speech concerns start with a speech-language pathologist (SLP). We team up with both, and we only recommend a tongue tie release (frenectomy) when it will help.
Dr. Austin Williams is a board-certified pediatric dentist. We see babies and kids for tongue tie and lip tie evaluations at our Lehi and South Jordan offices, serving families across Utah County and the Salt Lake Valley. Learn about tongue and lip tie treatment or book an evaluation.
Tongue tie questions parents ask
How do I know if my baby has a tongue tie?
Look at how feeding goes, not just at the tongue. A shallow latch, painful nursing, clicking, long feeds and slow weight gain are common signs. Only a hands-on exam of how the tongue lifts and moves can tell for sure.
Can a tongue tie look normal?
Yes. Some ties sit further back under the tongue (often called posterior ties). The tongue tip may look fine, but the middle of the tongue can’t lift well enough to make suction.
Who should we see first?
For babies with feeding problems, start with a lactation consultant (IBCLC). For older kids with speech concerns, start with a speech-language pathologist (SLP). Many problems get better with their help alone.
What is recovery like after a tongue tie release?
The visit is quick. We numb the area, and you can nurse or comfort your child right away. Aftercare is simple: gentle stretches 3–4 times a day for about 3 weeks. A white or yellow patch while it heals is normal.
Does insurance cover a tongue tie release?
Many dental insurance plans cover it, but coverage varies, so check your benefits. Our team can help you find out.
Where can I get a tongue tie evaluation in Utah?
Peak Pediatric Dentistry sees babies and kids for tongue tie evaluations in Lehi and South Jordan, Utah.
