How Does Baby Tongue Tie Affect the Health of Your Child?
As parents, we’re always trying to decode our baby's cries, fussiness, and feeding struggles. If you're Googling terms like “baby tongue tie and reflux” or “why is my baby having trouble feeding?”, you're not alone—and you're asking the right questions.
At Pain Free Dentist Sydney, we often help parents uncover one common but frequently overlooked cause: tongue tie (also called ankyloglossia). This condition can affect much more than just feeding—it can have a ripple effect on a child’s growth, digestion, airway, and speech development.
What Is a Tongue Tie?
A tongue tie occurs when the thin piece of tissue under the tongue (called the lingual frenulum) is too short, tight, or restrictive. This limits the tongue’s range of motion—making it harder for a baby to feed properly, swallow efficiently, and develop normal oral patterns.
How Can Tongue Tie Affect a Baby’s Health?
The tongue plays a critical role in more than just eating. When it can’t move freely, it can interfere with several key areas of development:
1. Feeding Difficulties
A restricted tongue makes it hard for babies to create a proper seal and rhythm during breastfeeding or bottle-feeding. This may lead to:
Poor latching
Long or frequent feeds
Gassy or colicky behavior
Frustration at the breast
Weight gain issues
Parents may also notice clicking sounds while feeding or feel pain during breastfeeding.
2. Reflux, Gas, and Digestive Discomfort
When babies can’t latch well, they often swallow excess air, leading to:
Burping
Spitting up
Reflux-like symptoms
Abdominal discomfort
Excessive crying or arching after feeds
While not all reflux is caused by tongue tie, it’s a contributing factor in many babies we assess.
3. Sleep and Airway Concerns
A tongue that can’t rest on the palate may influence oral development and breathing. Over time, this can:
Disrupt sleep patterns
Contribute to mouth breathing
Affect jaw and palate growth
Influence future airway health
This is why we work closely with lactation consultants, chiropractors, and airway specialists in assessing each baby’s unique presentation.
4. Speech and Oral Motor Development
As babies grow, a restricted tongue may impact:
Speech clarity
Tongue mobility for certain sounds
Oral habits like thumb sucking or mouth breathing
Early intervention can help prevent or reduce these challenges later in life.
5. Dental and Orthodontic Concerns
Tongue posture and mobility directly influence how the jaw and teeth develop. A tongue tie left untreated may contribute to:
Narrow palate or crowded teeth
Mouth breathing
Difficulty with chewing or swallowing solids
How Is a Tongue Tie Diagnosed and Treated?
A thorough assessment involves more than just looking under the tongue. At Pain Free Dentist Sydney, we assess:
Oral anatomy
Functional movement of the tongue
Feeding behaviour
Collaboration with lactation or bodywork practitioners if needed
If a tongue tie is confirmed, treatment may include a frenectomy (a quick, safe release of the tissue), often supported by gentle bodywork and feeding support to maximise results.
Early Intervention = Long-Term Benefits
If your baby is struggling to feed, not gaining weight, or showing signs of reflux or gas, it’s worth exploring whether a tongue tie is contributing to the issue. Early detection can make feeding easier, improve comfort, and support healthy oral and facial development.
We’re Here to Support You
Our team specialises in identifying and treating tongue ties in babies, infants, and children using a gentle, evidence-based approach. We’re here to guide you every step of the way—from diagnosis to aftercare and beyond.
📞 Call us at 9558 8988
📍 Visit our clinic at Shop G01A. 570 New Canterbury Road, Hurlstone Park, NSW 2193
📅 Or book online at https://calendly.com/painfreedentistsydney
Your baby’s tongue may be small—but when it’s restricted, the effects can be big. Let’s help them thrive, from the very first latch.