New Patients – Welcome to Pediatric Tongue Tie
Welcome to Pediatric Tongue Tie, where we provide compassionate, evidence-based care for infants, children, adolescents, and adults with tongue ties. Founded by Dr. Veronica Martinez and now home to Dr. Roberta Kerr as well, our Scottsdale, Arizona practice is built on one belief: everyone deserves to breathe, sleep, eat, and speak well, no matter their age.
We’re Here to Help
We use a function-focused approach and advanced technology, including the LightScalpel laser, to deliver precise, minimally invasive care.
We know questions about tongue tie can feel overwhelming. Our team walks you through every step, with clarity, expertise, and compassion, so you feel informed and supported from your first visit forward.
What Is Tongue Tie?
Tongue tie, medically known as ankyloglossia, happens when the band of tissue under the tongue, the frenulum, is shorter, tighter, or thicker than it should be. This can restrict tongue movement and affect function at any stage of life: breastfeeding, speech, eating, sleep, oral hygiene, and even tongue posture in adulthood.
Our Approach to Treatment
At Pediatric Tongue Tie, care is comprehensive and personal. Never one-size-fits-all.
- Comprehensive Evaluation Dr. Martinez or Dr. Kerr will perform a thorough assessment of tongue mobility, oral anatomy, and functional concerns related to feeding, speech, and oral development.
- Personalized Treatment Plan When treatment is indicated, we build a plan around your specific functional needs and long-term oral health.
- Minimally Invasive Procedures When appropriate, we use advanced laser-assisted technology to perform precise tongue tie release, for less discomfort, less bleeding, and faster healing.
- Support and Follow-Up You’ll leave with detailed post-treatment guidance, and we stay with you through healing and beyond with unlimited follow-up appointments.
Indications for Tongue Tie Evaluation
Breastfeeding Difficulties
Tongue tie can affect an infant’s ability to latch well, leading to inefficient feeding, poor milk transfer, long feeding sessions, sore nipples, and slow weight gain. Treatment, when appropriate, can support a better latch, more comfortable feeding, and a stronger feeding relationship.
Speech Articulation
In children, adolescents, and adults, restricted tongue mobility can make certain sounds harder to produce or reduce speech clarity. We consider treatment when these functional limits are present, at any age.
Oral Hygiene and Dental Development
Limited tongue movement makes it harder to clear food debris from teeth and gums, which can raise the risk of decay or gum inflammation. Better tongue mobility supports better oral hygiene, at every age.
Eating Challenges
Tongue tie can also show up at the table. Some children eat much slower than their peers, tire out halfway through a meal, or take a long time to finish even small portions. Picky eating and a strong preference for soft or pureed foods can be a sign the tongue isn’t moving the way it should to manage different textures. Pocketing food in the cheeks, rather than moving it to the back of the mouth to swallow, is another common clue. When we see these patterns, we look closely at tongue mobility as one possible piece of the puzzle.
Sleep Challenges
Restricted tongue movement can affect more than the mouth, it can affect sleep too. Many children with tongue tie grind their teeth at night, sleep restlessly, or snore, all signs that the tongue may be resting in a position that narrows the airway. Parents often notice frequent waking, mouth breathing during sleep, or a child who never seems fully rested no matter how many hours they get. These patterns are worth mentioning at your evaluation.
Adult Tongue Tie Symptoms
Many adults live for years with an untreated tongue tie without knowing it’s the root cause. Common signs include jaw or neck tension, headaches, trouble with certain speech sounds, gagging while eating, or a lifetime of feeling like your tongue “gets in the way” or “my tongue is too big for my mouth.” If this sounds familiar, it’s worth an evaluation.
What to Expect
When you visit Pediatric Tongue Tie, expect:
- A calm, welcoming environment
- Clear communication, with plenty of time for your questions
- Expert care from an experienced team
- Compassionate care from consultation through follow-up, and beyond
Why Choose Pediatric Tongue Tie
- Two board-certified doctors with advanced tongue tie training
- Extensive experience in tongue tie evaluation and laser-assisted treatment
- A conservative, function-focused philosophy
- Advanced technology in a calm, boutique setting
- Compassionate, family-centered care for patients of every age
Scheduling Your Consultation
If you suspect you or your child has a tongue tie, or you have concerns about feeding, speech, airway, or oral development, we invite you to schedule a consultation. Together, we’ll find the right path forward for your family’s health.
Thank you for choosing Pediatric Tongue Tie. We look forward to welcoming you.
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