Myth Vs. Fact Tongue Tie Edition

Tongue tie might be one of the most talked about topics in infant feeding, and also one of the most misunderstood. Parents hear conflicting advice from every direction. Here's what you need to know from a professional who’s been in it for over 15 years.

1. MYTH: If a baby is gaining weight, there's no tongue tie problem.

FACT: Weight gain doesn't tell the whole story. Babies can gain well while working extremely hard to eat, which can show up as long feeds, reflux like symptoms, clicking, gas, or a mom in pain. Growth is only one piece of the feeding puzzle.

2. MYTH: Every tongue tie needs to be released.‍

FACT: The tie itself isn't the diagnosis, function is. If a baby's tongue lifts, spreads, and extends well, and feeding is comfortable for everyone involved, treatment may not be needed at all.

3. MYTH: Painful breastfeeding is just part of the process.‍

FACT: Pain is common, but common doesn't mean normal. Pain is usually a sign that something needs adjusting, whether that's latch, positioning, or oral function.

4. MYTH: Tongue tie is only a breastfeeding issue.‍

FACT: Oral restrictions can affect bottle feeding, the transition to solids, speech sounds, sleep, and even jaw and airway development later on.

5. MYTH: A quick look under the tongue tells you everything.

FACT: Movement matters more than appearance. Two tongues can look nearly identical and function in completely different ways. A full assessment looks at lift, spread, extension, and coordination during actual feeding.

6. MYTH: The release alone fixes the problem.‍

FACT: The procedure is one piece of a bigger picture. Bodywork, feeding therapy, and stretches afterward are what help the tongue actually learn to use its new range of motion.

7. MYTH: Lip ties always need to be addressed too.‍

FACT: Lip ties are far more debated in research and practice than tongue ties. Many are simply variations of normal and don't affect feeding at all while some are the culprit. A skilled trained professional should be able to decipher.

8. MYTH: If one provider says everything looks fine, that settles it.

FACT: Providers have different training and comfort levels with tethered oral tissues. If a feeding journey still doesn't feel right, a specialist with specific training in this area can offer a deeper look.

9. MYTH: A lip tie always causes a gap between the front teeth.

FACT: That gap has many possible causes, including normal jaw growth and genetics. A lip tie is only one piece of the picture, and it doesn't guarantee a gap will show up or stick around once permanent teeth come in.

10. MYTH: Lip ties cause cavities.

FACT: There isn't strong evidence linking lip tie directly to cavities. Cavities have far more to do with diet, brushing habits, and enamel exposure than with lip anatomy.

11. MYTH: If a lip tie is there, there’s always  also a tongue tie.

FACT: The lip and tongue are two separate structures with two separate jobs. A thorough assessment looks at each one on its own, not as an automatic package deal.

12. MYTH: If it wasn't caught as a baby, it's too late to do anything about it.

FACT: Oral function can be assessed and supported at any age. Toddlers, kids, and even adults can benefit from evaluation and treatment if a tongue or lip restriction is affecting speech, eating, sleep, or comfort. It's never too late to ask the question.

The bottom line: you know your baby best. If something about feeding still doesn't feel right, it's always worth asking more questions.

Dr. Gigi is a Pediatric Physical Therapist and IBCLC, and the founder of Milk Matters PT, a clinic with a team of highly trained and specialized therapists to help moms feel heard, supported and empowered, from the first latch through every milestone that follows.

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