Understanding Tongue and Lip Ties in Infants and Young Children

It’s not uncommon for parents to feel overwhelmed when something seems “off” with their baby’s feeding or speech development. One often-overlooked cause? Tongue ties and lip ties.

A tongue tie (ankyloglossia) occurs when the strip of tissue connecting the tongue to the floor of the mouth is too short or tight, limiting movement. A lip tie is a similar restriction under the upper lip. Both can impact breastfeeding, bottle feeding, speech, and even sleep.

At Alpine Pediatric Dentistry, we’re proud to offer expert evaluation and state-of-the-art laser treatment for these conditions. A frenectomy—a quick, gentle laser procedure—can release the restrictive tissue with minimal discomfort and no need for general anesthesia.

Why it matters: early identification and treatment can dramatically improve a child’s ability to feed, thrive, and meet developmental milestones. If you’ve noticed your infant struggling to latch, making clicking noises while feeding, or if your toddler has difficulty with speech sounds or oral habits, a tongue or lip tie may be the reason.

We’re here to help parents understand the signs, feel supported in their decisions, and ensure their child receives the care they need to grow confidently and comfortably.