If your baby has been struggling to latch during feeding, making clicking sounds while nursing, or seeming unsettled and colicky after most feeds, tongue tie could be the cause. It is one of the most common yet frequently overlooked conditions in newborns, and identifying it early can make a real difference to your baby’s comfort, feeding success and longer-term development.
This guide explains what tongue tie in babies is, how to recognise the signs and symptoms, and when an assessment from a specialist paediatric dentist is the right next step for your family.
Tongue-tie, medically referred to as ankyloglossia, is a birth condition in which the lingual frenulum, a small tissue band beneath the tongue, is unusually tight and restricts the tongue’s movement.
In most people, the frenulum is thin, flexible and sits well back from the tongue tip. In babies with tongue tie, it may be shorter, thicker or positioned too far forward, restricting how freely the tongue can move. That restriction affects the baby’s ability to create the suction needed for effective feeding.
According to the NHS, tongue tie affects an estimated 4% to 11% of newborns in the UK, and is more common in boys than in girls. In many cases it is mild and causes no problems at all. In others, it significantly affects feeding and requires professional assessment and treatment.
There are two main types of tongue tie, and understanding the difference matters, particularly because one of them is frequently missed at routine newborn checks.
Anterior tongue tie is the more visible form. The frenulum attaches close to the tip of the tongue, which may appear heart-shaped or notched when the baby cries or tries to protrude it. This type is usually identified quickly by midwives or health visitors.
Posterior tongue tie sits further back under the tongue and is harder to detect without a hands-on functional assessment. The tongue may appear to move normally on visual inspection, yet the underlying restriction can be just as significant in its impact on feeding. If a tongue tie has been ruled out but difficulties persist, posterior tongue tie is often the reason.
Tongue tie presents differently depending on its severity and the individual baby. Some infants feed well and show no signs of a problem. Others struggle considerably from the earliest days.
Common signs in breastfed babies:
Signs in the nursing parent:
Signs in bottle-fed babies:
Not every baby will show all of these signs, and some overlap with other feeding conditions. This is why an accurate, hands-on assessment from a trained specialist is so important.
A reliable diagnosis requires more than a quick visual check. Trained practitioners assess the tongue’s range of movement, the position and nature of the frenulum, and the functional impact on feeding. A baby can appear to move their tongue normally on the surface while still having a clinically significant restriction underneath.
At Dr Mali Dental Clinic in London, Dr Malihe Moeinian is a specialist in paediatric dentistry with postgraduate training from the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh and England, a PhD from Queen Mary University of London, and over a decade of specialist clinical experience at King’s College Hospital and King’s College London. Her assessments consider both the clinical presentation and your experience of feeding, ensuring nothing is dismissed or overlooked.
You do not need to wait for problems to become severe before seeking an assessment. If feeding has been difficult since birth and adjustments to latch technique have not improved things, an early appointment is a sensible step.
Seek specialist advice if:
Private assessment at a specialist paediatric dental clinic offers access to practitioners with specific expertise and significantly shorter waiting times compared to NHS pathways. You can book a tongue tie consultation at Dr Mali Dental Clinic to have your baby assessed by a qualified specialist with extensive experience in this area.
The most common treatment for tongue tie in babies is a procedure called tongue tie division, or frenotomy. A trained practitioner uses sterile scissors or a laser to divide the frenulum, releasing the restriction. In young babies, the procedure is typically very quick, causes minimal bleeding and does not require general anaesthetic.
Most babies are able to feed immediately or very shortly after the procedure. Improvement in latch and feeding comfort is often noticeable within a day or two, though some babies benefit from continued support from a lactation consultant or infant feeding specialist to re-establish an effective feeding pattern.
For older children where a more significant restriction has developed, a procedure called a frenuloplasty may be recommended. The British Society of Paediatric Dentistry recognises tongue tie as a clinical condition with well-established treatment pathways for infants and older children alike.
Not every tongue tie requires treatment, and some resolve or become less problematic with time. However, where the restriction is significant and feeding difficulties are present, leaving it unaddressed can have wider consequences.
These may include:
An early assessment allows you to make an informed decision rather than waiting to see whether problems emerge further down the line.
Tongue tie assessment and treatment require specific training and clinical experience. A specialist paediatric dentist has completed additional postgraduate study in the care of children’s oral health and a thorough understanding of oral anatomy, infant behaviour and functional assessment.
Dr Malihe Moeinian holds the MClinDent in Paediatric Dentistry from the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh and England, and spent a decade as a specialist clinical tutor in paediatric dentistry at King’s College London. Her approach puts accurate diagnosis, minimal discomfort and clear communication with parents at the centre of every appointment.
Dr Mali Dental Clinic is based on Fulham High Street in southwest London and offers after-school and Saturday appointment times to accommodate busy families. E-consultations are also available for parents who want to discuss their concerns before travelling to the practice.
How do I know if my baby has tongue tie?
Common signs of tongue tie in babies include difficulty latching, clicking during feeds, poor weight gain, and being unsettled after feeding. A proper hands-on tongue tie assessment is the best way to confirm it.
Can tongue tie go away on its own?
Mild tongue tie may become less restrictive as a baby grows. However, if your baby has feeding problems, early assessment is recommended to decide whether tongue tie treatment is needed.
Is tongue tie division painful for babies?
Tongue tie division is usually a very quick procedure with minimal discomfort for young babies. Most babies can feed soon afterwards, and your specialist will explain the process clearly before treatment.
Can untreated tongue tie affect speech?
In some children, untreated tongue tie can affect speech by limiting tongue movement needed for certain sounds. Early tongue tie treatment may help reduce this risk.
How soon can tongue tie be treated?
Tongue tie can be assessed and treated soon after birth. Early treatment often supports better breastfeeding, although older babies and children can also be treated when needed.
Should I see a GP or a dentist for tongue tie?
A GP can refer you, but a specialist paediatric dentist trained in tongue tie assessment can provide a full diagnosis and treatment plan. Private tongue tie clinics often offer faster appointments than NHS services.
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