top of page
Dizajn bez naslova - 2025-02-28T120032.122.png

PENINSULA TONGUE TIE

Newborn/Infant ​Screening Tips

Our expert team treats a range of oral ties, including tongue, lip, and buccal ties, to improve feeding, speech, and overall oral health.

Scheduling is handled through Chompers Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics — we're proud to be part of the same trusted care team.

Screening Steps for Tongue, Lip & Buccal Ties

Is Your Baby Struggling to Feed?
Feeding difficulties are often one of the first signs that a baby may have a tongue, lip, or buccal tie. These oral restrictions can limit movement and make latching or sucking inefficient — whether nursing or bottle feeding.

Common signs your infant may benefit from a tongue tie evaluation:​

  • Shallow latch or frequent slipping off the nipple

  • Clicking or popping sounds while feeding

  • Gassy, fussy, or irritable behavior during or after feeds

  • Extended feeding times or falling asleep mid-feed

  • Poor weight gain despite frequent feeding

  • Nursing pain or nipple damage for the breastfeeding parent

  • Difficulty using a pacifier or bottle

  • Reflux-like symptoms without improvement from dietary changes

 

Every baby is different, but when these symptoms persist, a thorough evaluation can help identify whether a tie is contributing to the problem. Early treatment can improve feeding, reduce stress, and support healthy growth and bonding.

Tongue Ties

Visual Inspection for Tongue Tie

When your baby is calm and at rest, gently lift their tongue to check for any tight or string-like tissue underneath. This is called the lingual frenulum. In some cases, it may look like a thin cord reaching toward the tip of the tongue or cause the tongue to appear heart-shaped, notched, or unable to lift or move freely.

​Feeding Observation for Tongue Tie:

Watch your baby during breastfeeding or bottle feeding. Signs of a potential tongue tie may include difficulty staying latched, clicking sounds, noisy or inefficient sucking, or milk leaking from the mouth. You might also notice the baby tiring quickly, biting during feeds, or the breastfeeding parent experiencing pain or damage to the nipples.

Frenectomy in San Francisco
Tongue tie doctor in San Francisco
Frenectomy in San Francisco
Tongue tie treatment in San Francisco

Could it be a Tie?

Tongue, lip, and buccal ties can sometimes be subtle — but early signs are often visible during feeding. We’re here to help you recognize potential oral restrictions in your newborn and understand how they might be affecting latch, milk transfer, or weight gain.

One important signal to watch is your baby’s weight gain. If your child isn’t gaining as expected despite frequent feeds, it could be a sign that milk transfer is inefficient — often due to difficulty maintaining suction or staying latched.

If you have concerns, trust your instincts. A feeding assessment by a trained provider — along with support from a lactation consultant — can help determine if a tie is contributing to the issue. Identifying and treating oral ties early can make feeding more comfortable for both baby and parent, and support healthy growth from the start.

Peninsula Tongue Tie Questionnaire for Newborns/Infants

Date of Birth
Month
Day
Year
Baby Issues (Past or Present)
Please contact me to discuss the results
Yes
No, I will contact office when ready to discuss
bottom of page