Signs To Watch For

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Not Sure If It’s a Tie? Here’s What to Look For.

Many parents and grandparents wonder:

“Could my baby’s feeding struggles or my child’s speech issues be from a tongue or lip tie?”
The truth is, tongue and lip ties can look very different from child to child. Some cause big problems. Others might never cause any issues at all.

At Sawgrass Untied, Dr. Ryan helps families figure out whether a tie is the root of the problem—and whether treatment is needed.

Signs of a Tongue or Lip Tie in Babies

Here’s what you might notice in infants

Trouble latching during breastfeeding

Clicking or losing suction while nursing

Frequent popping off the breast or bottle

Gassy, fussy feedings

Slow weight gain despite frequent feeds

Milk leaking from the sides of the mouth

Baby falling asleep quickly at the breast but still hungry

Painful nursing for mom

If any of these sound familiar, a gentle evaluation could bring clarity and relief.

Signs of a Tongue or Lip Tie in Older Children

In toddlers and older kids, tongue and lip ties can show up in different ways:

Speech delays or difficulty forming certain sounds

Difficulty sticking the tongue out or moving it side-to-side

Eating only certain textures or avoiding specific foods

Gagging or choking frequently when eating

Trouble licking an ice cream cone or cleaning food from teeth

Gaps between the upper front teeth

Mouth breathing, snoring, or restless sleep

Sometimes, children adapt around a tie—but it can still cause hidden challenges. Dr. Ryan knows how to look for subtle signs that others might miss.

Not Every Tie Needs Treatment

It’s important to know:
Not every tongue or lip tie needs to be released.

Dr. Ryan carefully evaluates:

How the tie affects your child’s daily life
Whether it’s impacting feeding, speech, or dental health
The risks and benefits of treatment

If your child’s tie isn’t causing problems, Dr. Ryan may recommend simply monitoring it over time. We believe in treating only when truly necessary.

Early Help Can Make a Big Difference

When a tongue or lip tie is affecting feeding, speech, or comfort, early intervention can prevent bigger problems down the road.

For babies, treatment can help:

Improve nursing or bottle feeding
Support healthy weight gain
Reduce pain for nursing moms

For older kids, treatment can help:

Improve speech clarity
Expand food choices and textures
Support better oral hygiene and dental health

Sawgrass Untied is here to help you know for sure.

Let’s help your child eat, speak, and smile with confidence.