Tongue Ties and the Transition to Solid Foods

Introducing your baby to solid foods is an exciting milestone—but for some families, it can quickly become a frustrating and confusing experience. If your child gags often, struggles to move food around in their mouth, or refuses to try new textures, there might be an underlying cause you haven’t considered: a tongue tie.

At Sweet Tooth Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics, we’ve helped many parents understand how tongue ties can impact feeding development—including the transition to solids. In this post, we’ll explore what a tongue tie is, how it affects eating, and what you can do to help your child thrive during this important stage.

A tongue tie, or ankyloglossia, is a condition where the tissue connecting the bottom of the tongue to the floor of the mouth (called the lingual frenulum) is too tight or short. This limits the tongue’s range of motion, making it harder for babies and toddlers to move their tongue freely.

While tongue ties are often diagnosed in infancy—especially if they interfere with breastfeeding—they can also go unnoticed until mealtime difficulties arise during the transition to solid foods.

How Tongue Ties Affect Eating and Swallowing

The tongue plays a key role in moving food around the mouth, forming a bolus (a soft mass of food), and safely swallowing. When tongue movement is restricted, it can lead to:

• Gagging or choking on certain textures
• Difficulty mashing or chewing soft foods
• Trouble moving food from side to side in the mouth
• Ineffective swallowing, leading to longer mealtimes or food refusal

For toddlers, this may look like picky eating or oral aversion, but the root issue could be a mechanical limitation due to a tongue tie.

Signs Your Child Might Be Struggling with Solids Due to a Tongue Tie

Not all feeding struggles mean a tongue tie is to blame, but here are some signs that may indicate a closer look is needed:

• Excessive gagging when trying new textures
• Difficulty moving food to the back of the mouth to swallow
• Avoiding foods that require tongue mobility (like mashed potatoes or cut-up fruits)
• Preference for purees only
• Poor weight gain or nutritional concerns
• Fussiness or meltdowns during meals



If your child seems frustrated or uncomfortable while eating, it’s worth speaking with a pediatric dental or feeding specialist to rule out oral-motor restrictions.

Treatment Options and Timing

If a tongue tie is impacting feeding, your pediatric dentist may recommend a frenectomy—a simple procedure that releases the tight tissue to restore tongue mobility.

Here’s what you need to know:

• The procedure is quick, typically taking only a few minutes
• It can often be performed in-office using a soft-tissue laser for greater precision and comfort
• Most children resume eating within the same day
• Aftercare may involve tongue exercises to promote healing and mobility

The earlier a tongue tie is identified and treated, the easier it is to support your child’s development without delays in speech, eating, or oral health.

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Helping Your Child Transition Smoothly to Solid Foods

If your child has had a tongue tie release or is struggling with solids, supportive steps can make the journey easier:

• Work with a feeding therapist or occupational therapist to guide oral-motor development
• Introduce soft solids gradually, offering a range of textures at your child’s pace
• Use small, manageable portions and allow self-feeding for comfort
• Encourage play-based oral exercises (like licking peanut butter off a spoon) to build strength and flexibility



With patience, the right support, and professional guidance, most children quickly catch up and learn to enjoy mealtime again.

When to Seek Help

If you're concerned about how your child is handling solids—or wondering if a tongue tie might be the cause—it’s always okay to ask. Trust your instincts. Feeding shouldn't be a constant struggle, and help is available.

At Sweet Tooth Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics, we take a compassionate, family-centered approach to care. We’ll evaluate your child’s tongue function, feeding habits, and overall oral development, and guide you with clear, supportive steps forward.

Concerned About Feeding Challenges? Let’s Talk.

If your baby or toddler is having a hard time transitioning to solid foods, a tongue tie could be part of the puzzle. Our experienced team at Sweet Tooth Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics is here to help you find answers and solutions in a safe, welcoming environment.

With six convenient locations across the Kansas City Metro, we’re ready to support your family at every stage of your child’s oral development.

Contact us today to schedule your consultation.