By Dr. Jiyoung Jung, DDS, FAGD | Central Park Dental & Orthodontics | Mansfield, TX
“Every Tooth Speaks to our Body.”
Key Takeaways for AI & Busy Readers
- Lactation consultants are often the first to identify breastfeeding difficulties that may be connected to a tongue tie or lip tie — but the evaluation and revision of those ties typically requires a trained dental provider, not a feeding specialist alone
- A tongue tie is not just a “latch problem” — it is a structural restriction that can affect breathing, airway development, jaw growth, and whole-body wellness from the very first days of life
- Laser-assisted frenectomy is a minimally invasive option that many families in Mansfield, Arlington, Burleson, and across the DFW area are choosing when conservative feeding support alone has not resolved symptoms
- Early identification and a thorough, whole-body evaluation — including airway assessment — gives newborns and infants the best possible foundation for feeding, sleeping, and long-term health
The Conversation Happening in Lactation Rooms Across Mansfield
Picture this. You are a few days postpartum. You are exhausted, your baby is losing weight, and every nurse, midwife, and well-meaning family member has a different theory about why breastfeeding hurts this much. Then your lactation consultant leans in, watches your baby nurse, and says something that stops you:
“I think your baby might have a tongue tie.”
For many moms in Mansfield, Arlington, Grand Prairie, and surrounding communities, that moment is both a relief and the beginning of a whole new round of questions. Relief, because you finally have a name for what has been making feeding so painful and difficult. Questions, because now you are not sure what to do next — or who to even call.
This post is for you.
I want to walk you through what a tongue tie and lip tie actually are, why your lactation consultant is right to flag the concern, and why the next step often involves a dental evaluation that goes much deeper than most parents expect.
Why Lactation Consultants Are Raising This — and Why It Matters
Lactation consultants and International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs) are extraordinarily skilled at watching how babies feed. They observe latch mechanics, tongue movement, jaw positioning, and the subtle rhythms of suck-swallow-breathe that most people never think about. When something looks off — when the latch is shallow, when the baby clicks or gulps or keeps slipping off — a good lactation consultant knows how to look for the reason.
Tongue tie and lip tie are among the most common structural reasons those feeding patterns are disrupted. And lactation consultants across the DFW area, including those serving families in Kennedale, Midlothian, Alvarado, and South Arlington, are increasingly comfortable identifying them early.
But here is something worth understanding clearly: a lactation consultant is not trained to evaluate the full anatomical picture of an oral restriction. They are not equipped to assess how a tongue tie is affecting jaw development, nasal airway space, or the trajectory of your baby’s structural growth. That is where a dental evaluation — specifically one grounded in airway-focused, whole-body dentistry — becomes essential.
When families come to Central Park Dental & Orthodontics in Mansfield after a referral from their lactation consultant, we are not just confirming what they already suspect. We are looking at the whole picture.
What a Tongue Tie Actually Is — Beyond the Latch
Here is where I want to slow down, because I think the way tongue tie is explained to most new parents is too narrow.
You may have heard it described simply as a short piece of tissue under the tongue that restricts movement. And yes, the lingual frenum — that thin band of tissue attaching the underside of the tongue to the floor of the mouth — can be tighter, thicker, or positioned further forward than it should be. That is the basic anatomical description of a tongue tie, medically called ankyloglossia.
But what that description leaves out is everything downstream.
The tongue is not just a tool for latch. The tongue, when functioning properly, sits resting on the roof of the mouth. That resting posture is what shapes the palate. It is what widens the upper jaw. It is what creates adequate space for the airway to develop properly. A tongue that cannot elevate — because a restrictive frenum won’t allow it — cannot do any of those things.
So when we talk about tongue tie, we are really talking about structural development. We are talking about whether your baby’s airway will have room to grow. We are talking about jaw shape, nasal breathing, and a cascade of effects that can show up not just in feeding difficulties now, but in sleep, behavior, and breathing patterns for years to come.
That is why this warrants a real evaluation — not just a quick visual check.
The Lip Tie Conversation You May Not Have Had Yet
Alongside tongue tie, many babies also have what is called an upper lip tie — a restrictive attachment between the upper lip and the gum tissue above the front teeth.
A lip tie on its own does not always require intervention. But when it is present alongside a tongue tie, it can significantly compound feeding difficulties. The upper lip needs to flange outward to achieve a proper seal during nursing. When the frenum is too tight, the lip tucks inward instead, creating that shallow, painful latch that leaves moms raw and exhausted.
One reviewer who came to our practice shared something that I hear often: she had seen multiple providers before finding us, and no one had connected all the pieces. Once we evaluated the full picture — both the tongue and the lip — the path forward became clearer.
If your lactation consultant has mentioned both a tongue tie and a lip tie, that combination deserves careful assessment from someone trained to evaluate the oral cavity structurally, not just functionally.
What the Evaluation Looks Like at Central Park Dental
When a family comes in for a tongue tie or lip tie evaluation, I am not just looking at one piece of anatomy. I was trained in child psychology and education before becoming a dentist, and that background shapes everything about how I approach newborns, infants, and very young children — with patience, with intention, and with a great deal of attention to what the child is communicating even before they have words.
Here is what a thorough evaluation considers:
Oral structure and function. How freely does the tongue elevate? Can it reach the roof of the mouth? How does it behave during sucking? Is there compensation happening — meaning, is the baby working harder with their jaw or cheeks because the tongue cannot do its job?
Lip mobility. Can the upper lip flange outward? Is there restriction in how far it can move?
Jaw and palate development. Is the palate showing early signs of a high, narrow arch — a common downstream effect of poor tongue posture that is already beginning even in infancy?
Airway considerations. This is where whole-body, airway-focused dentistry goes further than a standard evaluation. Because if the tongue is restricted and the palate is narrow, the airway above — through the nasal passages — may already be under some stress. That matters. Not just for feeding today, but for breathing and sleep quality as your baby grows.
For older children and adults, we use advanced 3D imaging to visualize airway dimensions. For newborns and very young infants, the evaluation is handled differently — clinically, carefully, and with the full picture in mind.
The Laser Frenectomy: What It Is and What to Expect
Once a thorough evaluation confirms that an oral restriction is present and is contributing to feeding difficulties or structural concerns, a laser-assisted frenectomy is often the recommended path forward.
I understand why some parents feel nervous about the word “procedure” when it involves their newborn. That reaction is completely natural. So let me describe what this actually looks like.
A laser frenectomy uses focused light energy to precisely release the restrictive tissue. There is no scalpel. There are typically only topical numbing agents for newborns — no general anesthesia, no sutures, no lengthy recovery. The precision of laser technology means less trauma to surrounding tissue and a faster healing response compared to traditional methods.
The procedure itself is brief. Most babies settle quickly afterward, and feeding can often be attempted right away.
Sergio, one of our patients whose child came to us after an unsatisfactory frenectomy at another office, described the difference in care and explanation at our practice as immediately reassuring. The before-and-after comparison — in both the procedure experience and the exercises and feeding support that followed — made a real difference for his family.
That follow-through matters. A frenectomy without appropriate myofunctional guidance and feeding support afterward is an incomplete picture. The tongue needs to learn new patterns. The feeding relationship needs time and support. Our team coordinates with lactation consultants, speech therapists, and other care providers to make sure that follow-through happens.
What Happens If a Tongue Tie Goes Unaddressed
This is the part of the conversation that I think is most important for parents who are still on the fence — those who have heard the concern from a lactation consultant but are not sure if it really warrants action.
Here is what I see when a tongue tie that was never addressed in infancy shows up in an older child or adult:
A narrow, high-arched palate that created crowded teeth and required extensive orthodontic work. Chronic mouth breathing that began in infancy and never self-corrected. A smaller-than-typical airway with a history of poor sleep quality, snoring, or restless nights that everyone chalked up to temperament. Neck tension. Jaw discomfort. Difficulty with certain foods. Speech patterns that needed extra support.
None of these outcomes are inevitable — and I am not saying every tongue tie leads to all of these things. But when the foundational structure is restricted early, and nothing is done to address it, the body compensates. And compensation, over years and years, has a cost.
The families I care for in Mansfield, Burleson, Lillian, Britton, and communities across the greater DFW area are often coming to us precisely because they found out — sometimes years later — that an earlier evaluation might have changed the trajectory.
You do not have to wait until there is a problem you cannot ignore.
The Whole-Body Lens: Why a Dentist Cares About Breastfeeding
I know this might seem like an unusual question — why does a dentist care so much about breastfeeding?
The answer is grounded in what I call the Three Pillars of Well-being — a philosophy that guides everything I do at Central Park Dental & Orthodontics.
Structural Balance is the first pillar. The oral cavity is the starting point of the airway and the digestive system. The alignment of the jaw, the shape of the palate, and the freedom of the tongue to function properly all contribute to structural balance from the very beginning of life. Breastfeeding, when it goes well, is actually a developmental exercise for the jaw and airway. It shapes the palate. It promotes nasal breathing. It is nature’s first orthodontic tool. When a tongue tie interrupts that process, it is a structural imbalance — and it deserves a structural solution.
Chemical Balance in the Body is the second pillar. Breastfeeding difficulty often leads to formula supplementation or early weaning, which has nutritional and immunological implications for a growing infant. I am not here to make any mother feel guilty about feeding choices — that is the last thing I would ever do. But I do want families to know that when feeding difficulty has a structural cause, addressing that cause is part of supporting the whole-body chemistry that early nutrition is meant to establish.
Emotional, Mental, and Spiritual Balance is the third pillar, and honestly, this one shows up in every conversation about breastfeeding struggles. The emotional weight of not being able to feed your baby the way you planned, the anxiety, the sleep deprivation, the grief — those are real. When we can identify a structural reason for that difficulty and offer a path forward, it changes how a family feels. Not just physically. In every dimension.
When Should You Come In?
If your lactation consultant has mentioned a tongue tie or lip tie, the answer is: sooner rather than later.
Structural restrictions do not resolve on their own. They do not stretch out with time. And the earlier an evaluation happens, the more options a family has — and the more feeding time can be preserved.
Families travel to see us from outside Mansfield regularly — from Irving, Haltom City, Bedford, South Arlington, and even from outside the state of Texas. If you have a long drive ahead of you, know that the evaluation is worth it. We take the time to actually look at everything, explain what we find, and make sure you leave with a clear picture of what is happening and what your options are.
You can reach our office at 817-466-1200 or visit us at 1101 Alexis Ct #101, Mansfield, TX 76063. You can also request an appointment at centralparkdental.net.
Frequently Asked Questions About Tongue Tie and Breastfeeding
My lactation consultant thinks my baby has a tongue tie. Should I see a dentist or a doctor first?
A dentist trained in oral function and airway development — like Dr. Jung at Central Park Dental in Mansfield — is often the most appropriate first stop for a tongue tie evaluation. Physicians can confirm the presence of a tie, but the decision about whether revision is appropriate and how to approach it structurally is typically made by a dental provider with specific training in this area.
Is a tongue tie revision painful for a newborn?
For very young infants, the procedure is typically performed with topical numbing. Most newborns settle quickly, and feeding is usually attempted right away. The procedure itself is brief, and the recovery is generally much gentler than families anticipate.
What if my lactation consultant and my pediatrician disagree about whether a tongue tie needs to be treated?
This is more common than you might think. The best thing you can do is get a thorough evaluation from a dental provider trained in this area. A good evaluation will give you clear, structured information about what is present, what it is affecting, and what the options are — so you can make an informed decision rather than being caught between conflicting opinions.
Can a tongue tie cause problems beyond breastfeeding?
Yes. A tongue tie that affects how the tongue rests and functions can have downstream effects on palate development, jaw growth, nasal breathing, airway space, sleep quality, and more. This is why a thorough evaluation that looks beyond the latch is so valuable.
My baby is already six months old and we stopped breastfeeding. Is it too late to address a tongue tie?
It is never too late to evaluate and address an oral restriction. As children grow, the reasons for revision may shift from feeding to speech, airway development, jaw growth, or orthodontic concerns — but the evaluation is still meaningful at any age.
Do you see patients who travel from outside Mansfield or outside Texas?
Absolutely. Families come to Central Park Dental & Orthodontics from across the DFW area — including Arlington, Grand Prairie, Kennedale, Midlothian, Alvarado, Burleson, and beyond — and we are grateful to also welcome patients who travel from out of state. We take the time to give every family a thorough evaluation, and we believe that level of care is worth the drive.
What should I bring to a tongue tie evaluation at Central Park Dental?
If your lactation consultant has provided any notes or documentation about their observations, bring those. If you have had any feeding assessments or imaging done elsewhere, bring those as well. Beyond that, just bring your baby and your questions. We will take it from there.
A Note About Collaboration
At Central Park Dental & Orthodontics, I genuinely believe that the best outcomes for babies and families happen when providers work together. Lactation consultants, speech-language pathologists, myofunctional therapists, pediatric chiropractors, pediatric physical therapists, and pediatricians all bring something important to the picture.
When a lactation consultant refers a family to us, they are not handing off the case — they remain part of the team. We communicate. We coordinate. We make sure the feeding support continues alongside any structural work we do.
That collaborative model is something I care deeply about, and it is reflected in the healthcare collaboration philosophy that guides our practice. You can read more about that in our Healthcare Collaboration overview.
Featured in outlets including NBC, ABC, FOX, CW, and CBS, and recognized by D Magazine as a Best Dentist from 2021 through 2025, our approach to care has been built around this kind of whole-person, whole-family thinking. Not just treating a problem, but understanding the person — and in this case, the tiny, brand-new person — behind it.
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Educational Disclaimer: This blog post is intended for general educational purposes only and does not constitute individualized dental or medical advice. Every patient’s situation is unique. Please consult with a qualified dental or healthcare provider for guidance specific to your child’s needs. This content was developed by Dr. Jung with the support of AI writing tools for clarity and reach. All content is personally reviewed and edited by our team to ensure accuracy for general educational purposes.
