Tongue Tie Evaluations
Age-Specific Tongue Tie Care
Tongue Tie Evaluations for Every Stage of Life
From newborn feeding struggles to childhood sleep and adult airway concerns, we tailor each evaluation to your age, history, and goals.
Infant
Gentle evaluations focused on feeding, latch, and early oral function.
Child
For ages 12 months–16 years, with focus on speech, sleep, growth, and development.
Teen / Adult
Explore how tongue function affects breathing, posture, TMJ, and sleep.
Infant Tongue Tie Evaluation
Gentle, baby-led care that supports both baby and parent
At Utah Family Wellness, our infant tongue tie evaluations focus on understanding how your baby feeds, functions, and uses their oral muscles. Many families seek an evaluation because feeding is difficult, painful, or not progressing as expected. Our goal is to determine the root cause of feeding challenges and create a treatment plan that supports both baby and parent.
What we assess during an infant visit
- Full feeding observation (bottle or breast)
- Latch, positioning, milk transfer, and efficiency
- Suck–swallow–breathe coordination and signs of fatigue or frustration
- Gentle oral function assessment: tongue and lip mobility, sucking pattern, palate shape
- Muscle tension in the mouth, jaw, neck, and body
- Use of Martinelli’s Lingual Infant Protocol Tool to evaluate functional impact
- Feeding effectiveness and body/oral tension to guide safe treatment decisions
After the evaluation, we create an individualized plan that may include feeding adjustments, oral motor exercises, bodywork or manual therapy, lactation support, and myofunctional support when appropriate.
If a frenectomy (tongue tie release) is medically indicated, we’ll talk through timing, preparation, and how to support the best possible outcome.
CHild Tongue Tie Evaluation
Child Tongue Tie Evaluation (12 Months – 16 Years)
Supporting speech, sleep, and growth through function-first care
Tongue tie evaluations for children focus on how oral function affects breathing, speech, feeding, and overall development. Our goal is to determine whether a tongue restriction is present and whether it is functionally impacting your child’s health or development.
1. Developmental and health history
We begin with a detailed discussion of your child’s birth history, infant feeding history, growth and milestones, speech development, current feeding habits or food aversions, and sleep concerns such as snoring, mouth breathing, or restless sleep. This helps us identify patterns related to oral function, airway health, or muscle coordination.
2. Oral and physical examination
We assess tongue movement and range of motion, resting tongue posture, lip mobility, palatal shape and width, jaw function, and signs of oral muscle compensation. When appropriate, we may take images and measurements to support planning.
3–5. Airway, collaboration, and therapy
We evaluate whether there is enough space in the mouth for the tongue to function properly and screen for airway issues, including enlarged tonsils or adenoids. Care is often coordinated with orthodontists, ENT specialists, and speech or myofunctional therapists. At our clinic, myofunctional therapy is required for children undergoing tongue tie treatment to support proper tongue posture, nasal breathing, healthy swallowing, and improved coordination.
Adult Tongue Tie Evaluation
Breathe easier, release tension, and understand the root cause
An adult tongue tie evaluation helps determine whether restricted tongue mobility may be affecting your breathing, oral posture, speech, swallowing, TMJ, or overall comfort—often in ways that have been present for years.
Signs you may benefit from an evaluation
- Difficulty lifting your tongue to the roof of your mouth
- Trouble sticking your tongue out past your teeth
- Jaw pain, tightness, or TMJ symptoms
- Chronic neck or shoulder tension
- Mouth breathing, snoring, or disrupted sleep
- Sleep apnea or tongue thrust and swallowing difficulties
- Speech challenges or trouble clearing food with your tongue
What happens during an adult evaluation
We look beyond appearance and focus on function and overall oral health:
- Detailed health history (breathing, sleep, jaw tension, speech, swallowing, dental/orthodontic background)
- Tongue mobility assessment: elevation, extension, lateral movement, strength, and coordination
- Oral structure and posture, including palate and airway support
- Functional testing during speaking, swallowing, and resting posture
- Photos or measurements when needed to document mobility and anatomy
- Possible diagnostic testing such as CBCT or sleep studies when airway concerns are present
CBCT and sleep studies are recommended only when they will meaningfully guide a safe, effective treatment plan and collaboration with dental, ENT, or sleep specialists.
Treatment options after your evaluation
Not every tongue tie requires treatment. Recommendations are based on symptoms and functional limitations—not just the presence of a frenulum. Options may include myofunctional therapy to retrain muscles, collaboration with dental or airway specialists, or a carefully planned frenectomy when appropriate.
Why Tongue Function Matters
A small restriction can create big changes over time
The tongue plays a major role in breathing and airway support, proper swallowing patterns, jaw and facial muscle balance, speech clarity, and oral posture and dental health. When the tongue cannot move freely, the body often compensates in ways that may lead to tension, discomfort, or long-term functional issues.
Our purpose is to help you understand whether a tongue restriction is contributing to current symptoms—and what conservative, stepwise care can look like for your family.
Is this right for you?
- You’re not sure if a tongue tie is the problem—but something doesn’t feel right.
- You want a conservative, function-first opinion before scheduling a release.
- You’ve had previous treatment but still notice symptoms with feeding, speech, or sleep.
- You’re looking for coordinated care that includes therapy, bodywork, and airway-focused providers.
Questions, Answered
Tongue tie care with calm, clarity, and collaboration
Do you always recommend a tongue tie release (frenectomy) if a restriction is present?
No. Not every tongue tie requires treatment. Our recommendations are based on symptoms and functional limitations—not just the presence of a frenulum. Whenever possible, we begin with conservative, function-first therapies such as myofunctional therapy, bodywork/manual therapy, and feeding or breathing support strategies. A frenectomy is recommended only when it is clearly indicated and when the airway, oral space, and muscle patterns are ready.
What’s the difference between a quick clip and a functional frenuloplasty?
A quick clip typically focuses on cutting the tight tissue only. A functional frenuloplasty is planned around function: we evaluate the airway, tongue space, muscle patterns, and whole-body tension; coordinate with therapists and other providers; and carefully time the procedure within a broader treatment plan. This helps improve long-term outcomes for feeding, speech, breathing, and comfort.
Why is myofunctional therapy required at your clinic?
Simply releasing the restriction without retraining the muscles rarely solves the full problem. Myofunctional therapy helps support proper tongue posture, nasal breathing, swallowing patterns, and coordinated oral muscles. At Utah Family Wellness, tongue tie releases are not performed for unless myofunctional therapy is part of the treatment plan.
How do I know if my baby, child, or I should start with this program?
If you suspect a tongue restriction may be contributing to feeding challenges, speech difficulties, sleep concerns, tension, or breathing issues—and you want a thorough, whole-body perspective—the Family Wellness program is designed for you. We will help you determine which age-specific evaluation is best and outline clear next steps, whether or not a release is needed.
Ready to explore whether tongue tie is part of the picture?
Schedule your Family Wellness appointment and receive a calm, comprehensive evaluation for your infant, child, or yourself—rooted in airway-aware, whole-body care.
Contact Utah Family Wellness
620 Medical Drive, Suite 300, Bountiful, Utah
Office Hours: Monday–Friday: 8am–4pm
© Utah Family Wellness. A wellness clinic in Utah specializing in infant feeding support, tongue tie assessment, and family wellness care.
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