{"id":3066,"date":"2026-10-20T10:47:00","date_gmt":"2026-10-20T08:47:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wiloo.es\/?p=3066"},"modified":"2026-11-09T20:02:46","modified_gmt":"2026-11-09T19:02:46","slug":"tongue-tie","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wiloo.es\/en\/blog\/frenillo-lingual-corto\/","title":{"rendered":"Tongue-Tie in Babies and Children: How to Tell and When to Treat It"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The lingual frenulum is the fold of tissue that connects the underside of the tongue to the floor of the mouth. It is considered short (ankyloglossia, or tongue-tie) when it restricts the tongue's movement.<\/strong> Not every tongue-tie needs surgery: it is only treated if it causes real problems with breastfeeding, speech or swallowing.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div> \n<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t

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What Is the Lingual Frenulum<\/h2>\n

Everyone has a lingual frenulum. It is normal and helps to stabilise the tongue. The problem arises when it is too short, too thick or attached very close to the tip, so the tongue cannot lift or stick out normally.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div> \n<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t

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Normal or Short Lingual Frenulum: How to Tell the Difference<\/h2>\n

One of the most widely used classifications (Kotlow) measures how much of the tongue is free in front of the frenulum:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Type<\/th>\nFree tongue<\/th>\nDoes it usually need treatment?<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Normal<\/strong><\/td>\nMore than 16 mm<\/td>\nNo<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Mild (class I)<\/strong><\/td>\n12-16 mm<\/td>\nRarely<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Moderate (class II)<\/strong><\/td>\n8-11 mm<\/td>\nDepending on symptoms<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Severe (class III)<\/strong><\/td>\n3-7 mm<\/td>\nFrequently<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Complete (class IV)<\/strong><\/td>\nLess than 3 mm<\/td>\nYes, almost always<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

A simple sign to check at home: if the tip of the tongue looks heart-shaped when it sticks out, or it can't get past the lip, it's worth having it checked by a professional.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div> \n<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t

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At wiloo, we specialise in children's dental health. Find out how we work in paediatric dentistry and prevention<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div> \n<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t

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Signs in Babies and Children<\/h2>\n

In babies:<\/strong><\/p>\n