Introduction:

Tongue-tie (ankyloglossia) can affect feeding, speech, sleep, dentition, posture and oral development. Accurate assessment is essential for safe and effective intervention. This course is designed for health professionals, lactation consultants, and allied clinicians who want an evidence-based overview of assessment methods.

What is Tongue-tie? 

Tongue-tie is a condition where the lingual frenulum restricts tongue movement. This restriction can be at any point under the surface of the tongue, and its impact varies. Not all tongue-ties require a surgical release, so careful evaluation is critical.

Key Signs to Observe:

• Limited tongue elevation toward the palate

• Difficulty lifting the tongue tip

• Notching or heart-shaped tongue tip during protrusion

• Impact on latch and maternal nipple pain

Assessment Principles 

Effective assessment involves a combination of functional observation and anatomical evaluation.

1. Oral Examination:

• Inspect frenulum length, elasticity, and insertion points

• Observe tongue shape during movement

• Check for compensatory oral habits

2. Functional Feeding Observation:

• Assess infant latch and tongue movement during breastfeeding

• Note maternal symptoms such as nipple pain or bleeding

• Record infant weight gain and feeding efficiency

3. Standardised Assessment Tools:

• Consider using validated scoring systems (e.g., Hazelbaker Assessment Tool)

• Document findings consistently for clinical communications and records

Clinical Decision-Making

Not all tongue-ties require surgical release. Decisions should be guided by:

• Severity of functional restriction

• Impact on breastfeeding or oral development

• Clinical experience

Referral Recommendations:

• Infants with significant feeding difficulties or weight issues

• Persistent maternal nipple trauma despite attempting correct latch techniques

• Complex oral presentations requiring multidisciplinary input

Your Expertise Matters 

As a trained clinician, understanding both anatomical and functional aspects of tongue tie is crucial. Experience in observing multiple feeding sessions improves accuracy in assessment and ensures interventions are truly necessary.

Professional Training in Tongue Tie Evaluation

D-Restricted Ltd Tongue-tie School IBLCE-accredited course teaches evidence-based tongue tie assessment in detail, including:

• Anatomy and Physiology

• Acknowledging different assessment tools

• the importance of body therapies

• Long-term implications of untreated tongue-tie restriction

• Communicating findings to parents and multidisciplinary teams

• How to support families and longer term care strategies

​Clinicians seeking in-depth, evidence-based training can enrol in our IBLCE-accredited tongue tie assessment course.