Key Takeaways

- A tongue tie and a lip tie often appear together, so Dr. Yasmin Kottait checks both in one careful assessment rather than looking at either alone.
- She focuses on how your child's mouth actually works, and not just how the tissue looks, because function is what truly matters.
- The goal of the tongue tie or lip tie evaluation is to see whether it is affecting feeding, speech, or dental health.
A gentle and comfortable visit gives you clear answers and a plan that suits your child.

Dubai, UAE - The tongue and the upper lip are held to the mouth by small bands of tissue called frenula. When the band under the tongue is too tight, we call it a tongue tie in little children. When the band behind the upper lip is too tight, we call it a lip tie. These two restrictions frequently remain together, and this is the part many families only discover later.

It matters because the tongue and lips work as a team every time your child feeds, speaks, and swallows. If one is restricted and the other is quietly restricted too, treating only the obvious one can leave part of the problem behind. That is why Dr. Yasmin Kottait, a trusted Kids Dentist in Dubai, looks at the whole picture from the very first visit, so nothing important is missed.

Signs That Bring Families In
Restricted tissue can show up differently at every age, which is why parents notice such varied clues. In babies, the signs often appear during feeding. In older children, they tend to show up in speech or dental development.

Parents bring their child to a Pediatric Dentist near me for all sorts of reasons, and the signs often differ by age. Some of the most common ones include:

- A baby who struggles to latch or feed comfortably
- A mother who finds nursing painful
- A toddler who is a fussy or messy eater
- A child with unclear speech sounds
- A noticeable gap between the top front teeth
- Trouble licking the lips or an ice cream
- Difficulty keeping the lips closed at rest

If a few of these feel familiar, a proper look from the Pediatric Dentist is well worth your time.


Inside a Gentle Assessment with Dr. Yasmin Kottait
This is where careful and experienced hands make all the difference. Rather than glancing at the tissue and deciding on looks alone, Dr. Yasmin takes time to understand how your child's mouth moves and works.

She begins by listening to you. Your story about feeding, sleep, speech, or eating gives vital clues before she even looks inside. She then gently examines the child’s tongue and the upper lip together. With this, she will check the shape of each band and how far the tongue can lift, reach, and move from side to side, and how freely the upper lip can flange and sit.

Because the mouth is connected to breathing and swallowing, Dr. Yasmin Kottait, a good Pediatric Dentist in Dubai, also considers how your child rests the tongue, breathes, and swallows. If it helps to build the full picture, she may bring in her knowledge of airway health and myofunctional therapy, since muscle function and tongue movement are closely linked. Throughout, the visit stays calm and child-friendly, so your little one feels safe.

Why Looking at only One Tie can Miss the Full Story
Imagine freeing a restricted tongue yet leaving a tight lip tie in place. The tongue may move better, but the lip can still cause problems. It can affect how the front teeth sit, how food clears from the gums, and how comfortably the lips close. Freeing only the lip and missing a tight tongue leaves the same gap, with the tongue still unable to lift, reach, and move as it should.

Assessing both together is what allows Dr. Yasmin to protect what she describes as complete oral function, meaning the tongue and lips working smoothly as a pair. This joined-up view is also kinder to your child, because it reduces the chance of a second problem surfacing months down the line.


Care Options Post Your Child’s Dental Clinic Visit
After your little one’s checkup, Dr. Yasmin Kottait, 20-years experienced Pediatric Dentist, shares a clear, honest recommendation, and it will always match what your child actually needs. Sometimes the best choice is simply to monitor a mild tie that is causing no trouble.

When a tie is affecting feeding, speech, or dental health, she may suggest a release of the tight tissue, a small procedure sometimes called tongue tie surgery, which is usually quick and gentle. In many cases, she pairs this with simple muscle exercises before and after, so the tongue and lips learn to use their new freedom well.


Frequently Asked Questions from Parents

Can a lip tie and tongue tie happen at the same time?
Yes, and quite often they do. This is exactly why Dr. Yasmin assesses both together rather than treating one and overlooking the other.

How do I know if my child has a tongue or lip tie?
You may notice feeding trouble in a baby, unclear speech in an older child, a gap between the top front teeth, or difficulty moving the tongue and lips freely. An assessment from Dr. Yasmin Kottait is the best way to know for sure.

Will the assessment hurt or frighten my child?
No, it is a gentle and hands-on look that takes only a few minutes, and Dr. Yasmin keeps the whole visit calm and reassuring for children of every age.

Does every tie need to be treated?
No, many mild ties cause no problems and can simply be watched. Tongue tie surgery (frenectomy) is only suggested when the tie is affecting how your child feeds, speaks, or develops.

Is a tongue tie release safe for young children?
Yes, it is a common and gentle procedure, and Dr. Yasmin will explain each step and answer your questions beforehand so you feel fully at ease.

Can a tongue tie affect my child's speech?
It can in some children, though not in all, since many other factors shape speech too. This is why each child is assessed individually rather than assumed to have a problem.

At what age can my child be checked?
At any age, from newborn babies through to older children. Earlier answers often make feeding and development smoother, so there is no need to wait.


Give your Child the Freedom to Feed, Speak, and Smile!
When the tongue and lips move freely, everyday things like eating, talking, and even resting the mouth become so much easier for your child. A single and gentle assessment from a children’s dentist near me can tell you whether a tie is holding your little one back, and what to do about it.

Dr. Yasmin Kottait, specialist in Pediatric Dentistry Dubai, will look at the whole picture with warmth and patience, give you honest answers, and guide you toward the gentlest path forward for your child at her clinic in Dubai Healthcare City. Book a tongue-tie and lip-tie assessment with Dr. Yasmin Kottait today.


About Dr. Yasmin Kottait:
Having dedicated over 20 years of her career to spreading smiles and imparting knowledge of oral hygiene to children, Dr. Yasmin is a renowned name as the best Dentist for Kids in Dubai. Her joyful personality and magical kid-whispering powers make dental appointments for kids an easy sail – and lots of fun, that they never miss a single dental appointment with her! Dr. Yasmin is also one of the few Autism-friendly Dentists in the region, with a diploma in Cognitive Based Hypnotherapy and IBCCES Autism certification.