If someone has mentioned that your baby or child might have a “tongue tie” or “lip tie,” it’s natural to feel unsure about what that means — and whether it’s something to worry about. This guide explains what tongue and lip ties are, the signs parents sometimes notice, and how they’re assessed at Tooth Town. Our approach is calm and careful: we look at how your child’s mouth works, not just how it looks, and we only recommend treatment when it’s likely to genuinely help.
What is a tongue or lip tie?
“Tongue tie” is an everyday term for a condition called ankyloglossia. Before birth, a small band of tissue called a frenum helps guide the development of the mouth. Everyone keeps a small frenum — you can feel the one under your own tongue. In some children, this band is tighter or attached in a way that restricts how freely the tongue or lip can move.
A lip tie is a similar idea involving the band of tissue that connects the upper lip to the gum.
The important point is this: a tie is only relevant if it affects function. Many children have a frenum that looks a little tight but causes no problems at all — and those children don’t need any treatment.
Signs parents sometimes notice
Tongue and lip ties can show up differently at different ages. The signs below are things families sometimes mention — they don’t confirm a tie on their own, and each has other possible causes too. If any of these sound familiar, it’s worth a proper assessment rather than guesswork.
In babies, feeding is usually where concerns arise. Parents sometimes describe difficulty latching, feeds that take a very long time, a clicking sound during feeding, ongoing nipple pain, or a baby who seems unsettled or windy. Bottle-fed babies can have feeding difficulties too.
In toddlers and older children, parents sometimes wonder about the tongue’s range of movement, certain sounds in speech, or eating particular foods. It’s worth knowing that speech and feeding are complex and have many possible contributors, so a tie is only ever one part of the picture.
Because these signs overlap with so many other things, the most helpful next step is a functional assessment rather than trying to decide at home.
How Tooth Town assesses a tongue or lip tie
Tongue and lip tie assessments at Tooth Town are carried out by Dr Helen Fung, your dentist with a particular interest in this area (you may also see this referred to as the Brisbane Tongue Tie Clinic). All of the general dentists consulting at Tooth Town are well versed in screening for tongue and lip tie concerns as part of your child’s routine check-ups, so if something is worth a closer look, your regular dentist can refer you through for a full functional assessment with Dr Helen — you don’t need to notice it yourself or seek her out directly.
The most important principle in our assessment is that ties are assessed on function, not appearance alone. Two children with a similar-looking frenum can have completely different needs. During the consultation, Dr Helen will talk with you about your concerns and your child’s history, and assess how the tongue and lip actually move and work.
A consultation is a chance to understand what’s going on — it does not automatically mean treatment will be recommended. For some families, the assessment brings reassurance that no treatment is needed. For others, Dr Helen may suggest support from other professionals first, such as a lactation consultant or feeding specialist for a baby, or an oral health/myofunctional practitioner for an older child, because improving how the mouth is used can make a real difference on its own.
We have quiet, comfortable rooms where parents and babies can feed in privacy around the consultation, and toys to keep older siblings happy. You’re welcome to stay with your baby or child for the whole consultation, and for a release if one is recommended — the only appointments across Tooth Town where a parent isn’t permitted to stay are those carried out under general anaesthesia, and a tongue or lip tie release in our rooms is not a general anaesthetic procedure.
If treatment is recommended
Where Dr Helen assesses that a tie is genuinely restricting function and that releasing it is likely to help, she will explain the options with you clearly, including what a release involves and what to expect afterwards. Any aftercare (such as gentle exercises or stretches) will be explained so you feel confident continuing at home.
A few things we’re always upfront about:
- A consultation does not guarantee that a release will be recommended, and we would never recommend a procedure your child doesn’t need.
- We can’t promise a same-day procedure. Whether, when and how any treatment happens depends on Dr Helen’s assessment on the day.
- We’re honest about outcomes. Tongue and lip ties can be one factor among several in feeding, speech, sleep or other concerns, so we won’t promise that a release will resolve a particular problem. What we can promise is a careful, honest assessment and a clear explanation of what’s realistic for your child.
If your child develops any signs of illness, feeding difficulty that worries you, or you’re unsure how to proceed at any point, please contact our team — and seek urgent medical care if you’re ever concerned about your child’s immediate health.
Frequently asked questions
Does my baby have a tongue tie?
The only reliable way to know is a functional assessment. Some signs — like feeding difficulty or a clicking sound during feeds — can prompt a check, but they have other causes too, so they don’t confirm a tie on their own.
Does a tongue tie always need to be treated?
No. Many ties never cause a problem and need no treatment at all. At Tooth Town, treatment is only considered when a tie is genuinely affecting function and a release is likely to help.
Will treating a tongue tie fix breastfeeding, speech or sleep?
Not necessarily. These are complex and usually have several contributing factors, so a tie is only ever one piece of the puzzle. Dr Helen will give you an honest, realistic picture for your child rather than a guarantee.
Can the release be done on the same day as the consultation?
We can’t promise this. The consultation is an assessment first; if treatment is appropriate, Dr Helen will discuss timing and options with you.
Can I stay with my baby or child during the consultation or release?
Yes. You’re welcome to stay with your child for the whole appointment, including during a tongue or lip tie release. The only time parents aren’t permitted to stay is during treatment carried out under general anaesthesia, in line with national standards across all hospitals — and a tongue or lip tie release at Tooth Town isn’t a general anaesthetic procedure.
What age can a tongue or lip tie be assessed?
Babies, toddlers and older children can all be assessed. Feeding concerns in newborns and movement, eating or speech questions in older children are all reasons families come to see us.
Do we need a referral?
No referral is needed to book an assessment, though you’re welcome to bring any information from your GP, lactation consultant, speech pathologist or child health nurse — it all helps build the picture.
Will my regular your dentist notice if my child has a tongue or lip tie?
All of the general dentists consulting at Tooth Town are well versed in screening for tongue and lip tie concerns as part of routine check-ups. If they notice something worth a closer look, they’ll refer you through for a full functional assessment with Dr Helen Fung.
Might we need to see anyone else as well?
Sometimes, yes. Depending on your child, Dr Helen may suggest working alongside a lactation consultant, feeding specialist or oral health/myofunctional practitioner, either before or instead of any procedure.
What to do next
If you’d like clarity about your child’s tongue or lip movement, the best step is a functional assessment with Dr Helen Fung. You’ll get a careful look at what’s actually going on and honest, practical advice — with no pressure and no assumption that treatment is needed.
Book a tongue and lip tie assessment by contacting our friendly team, or read more on our tongue and lip ties service page. If you’re not sure whether an assessment is the right step, we’re happy to talk it through with you first.
This guide is general information and doesn’t replace an individual assessment. Your child’s clinician will confirm what’s most appropriate for them.
Tongue and lip tie guides for families
- Does every tongue tie need treatment?
- What happens at a tongue tie assessment
- Tongue tie and breastfeeding: what the signs actually mean
- If a release is recommended: what it involves and what comes after
- Tongue tie beyond babies: toddlers, school-age children and teenagers
- Tongue tie treatment for older children, teenagers and adults
- It isn’t always a tongue tie
For health professionals: When to refer a child for tongue tie assessment