If you’ve ever been told your baby or child might have a tongue tie, you’re not alone.
Many parents hear the term for the first time during a feeding evaluation or dental visit and wonder what it really means and whether it needs to be released.

Let’s break it down clearly and calmly.

What Is a Tongue Tie?

A tongue tie (also known as ankyloglossia) happens when a small band of tissue under the tongue, called the frenulum, is shorter, tighter, or thicker than usual.

This restriction limits how freely the tongue can move, which can affect how your child feeds, swallows, breathes, and even speaks.

The tongue isn’t just for tasting and talking — it plays a major role in shaping the jaw, supporting nasal breathing, and developing the airway.

Common Signs of a Tongue Tie

Depending on your child’s age, signs can look different.

In infants, you might notice:

• Difficulty latching or staying on the breast or bottle
• Clicking sounds while feeding
• Gassiness or reflux
• Falling asleep during feeds
• Poor weight gain
• A heart-shaped or notched tongue tip when lifted

In toddlers and older children:

• Mouth breathing or open-mouth posture
• Speech delays or unclear articulation
• Picky eating or gagging on textures
• Crowded teeth or a narrow palate
• Snoring or restless sleep

A restricted tongue can subtly change how the mouth, jaw, and airway develop — even if early symptoms seem mild.

How Tongue Ties Affect Development

When the tongue can’t reach the roof of the mouth, it spends more time resting low — and that has a ripple effect.

Over time, low tongue posture can lead to:

• Narrow palate growth (the roof of the mouth rises and the nasal space shrinks)
• Compensatory mouth breathing
• Altered swallowing patterns
• Misaligned teeth or jaw changes
• Poor sleep quality from airway restriction

The tongue is meant to rest on the palate, shaping it wide and flat.
When it can’t, the airway above becomes smaller — making nasal breathing harder and snoring more likely.

Treatment Options: More Than Just a Frenectomy

If a tongue tie is confirmed, the most common treatment is a frenectomy, a quick procedure where the tight tissue is released by laser or scissors.

However, release alone isn’t the full solution.
After months or years of limited movement, the muscles of the tongue, lips, and cheeks need retraining to learn new patterns.

That’s where myofunctional therapy comes in.
Therapy helps strengthen and coordinate the tongue, retrain proper resting posture, and prevent reattachment.

For babies, it might look like gentle oral exercises and feeding support.
For older children, it can include playful muscle work — blowing, chewing, swallowing, and posture awareness.

Why a Team Approach Works Best

Addressing a tongue tie is rarely a one-person job.
An ideal care team might include:

• A pediatric dentist or ENT for diagnosis and release
• A myofunctional therapist for retraining and strengthening
• A lactation consultant (IBCLC) for infant feeding support
• A bodywork professional (chiropractic or craniosacral) to release tension patterns

When professionals work together, outcomes are smoother and your child adapts faster to their new range of motion.

What Parents Can Expect After Release

Healing and retraining take time, but most families see improvements within weeks.
You may notice:

• Easier feeding and swallowing
• Improved nasal breathing
• Better sleep and focus
• Fewer mouth-breathing habits
• Greater comfort during meals

Consistent follow-up and gentle at-home exercises make a big difference.
It’s not just about cutting a piece of tissue, it’s about restoring functional movement for long-term health.

A tongue tie is more than a small flap of tissue, it’s a sign that the tongue isn’t free to do one of its most important jobs: shaping growth, breathing, and function.

The good news? With early awareness, skilled professionals, and the right aftercare, children can regain full oral function leading to easier feeding, calmer sleep, and healthier development overall.

Knowledge is power and in this case, it’s the first step toward helping your child breathe freely and thrive.