General Information About Tongue-Tie
Disease Details and Frequently Asked Questions
It is a condition where the tongue's range of motion is restricted by connective tissue due to the tongue not fully separating from the floor of the mouth during fetal development.
An infant who cannot adequately extend and cup their tongue cannot latch onto the breast properly. They make a clicking sound while nursing, tire easily, have slow weight gain, and cause severe soreness/irritation to the mother's nipple.
It does not delay the onset of speech but can make it difficult to correctly articulate letters that require the tongue to touch the upper palate or teeth, such as L, R, T, D, S, Z, potentially causing a lisp.
A doctor or dentist examines the inside of the child's mouth. A typical finding is the tip of the tongue forming a V or heart shape (pulling from the center) when the child attempts to stick it out.
No. If the tie is flexible, there are no feeding issues for the baby, and speech development is normal, intervention may not be necessary. Only ties that significantly restrict function are treated.
In infants, it is usually cut in seconds using scissors or a laser in an outpatient setting during the first few months, often without the need for anesthesia. Bleeding is minimal, and the baby can breastfeed immediately. Mild sedation may be required for older children.
Our health library contents are prepared for informational purposes only and with scientific data available at the time of recording. For all your questions, concerns, diagnosis, or treatment regarding your health, please consult your doctor or a healthcare institution.
