Tongue Tie and Voice: To Snip or Not To Snip
The tongue is critical for speech, swallowing, and overall oral function. When trauma occurs, whether through injury, surgery, or disease, it can have profound effects on vocal health and quality of life. Frenulectomy, a procedure to release tongue tie, is increasingly recommended to adults, where it used to be reserved for infants who were struggling with breast feeding. What are the risks and benefits of tongue tie release?
What is Tongue Tie?
Tongue tie (ankyloglossia) is diagnosed with the band of tissue that attaches the tongue to the floor of the mouth is thickened, short, or extends too far to the tip of the tongue. This limits tongue protrusion and can make breastfeeding difficult during infancy. Later in life, it may affect dental position, speech, and singing.
Cause of Tongue Tie
Tongue tie occurs during fetal development and may be genetic.
Symptoms of Tongue Tie
In childhood, tongue tie may present as difficulty with speech and articulation. Rarely, there are swallowing symptoms.
In adulthood, a short frenulum affects the tongue's resting position in the mouth. This may affect the position of teeth resulting in issues with bite alignment and tooth position. Jaw development may also be impacted during chewing and swallowing, further impacting tooth position.
How Does Tongue Tie Affecting Singing?
Tongue positioning and mobility is a critical aspect of singing. Singers manipulate tongue position to achieve desired resonant qualities. Further, freedom of movement of the tongue is required to achieve relaxed positioning on different vowels. Tongue relaxation and position is often a focus of singing training and restrictions in movement can cause symptoms of tongue tension and discomfort with singing.
Management of Tongue Tie
In many cases, the tongue tie is not severe enough to warrant surgical treatment. However, the care must be customized to the patient's findings and symptoms. In cases where surgical intervention is necessary, precision and care are paramount.
Tongue-Tie Release: This procedure can improve mobility for individuals with restricted tongue movement, particularly in speech and feeding.
Post-surgical rehabilitation often involves collaboration between surgeons, speech-language pathologists, and other specialists to ensure optimal recovery.
Rehabilitation and Recovery
Rehabilitation is a critical component of recovery from tongue trauma. At the Center for Vocal Health, we offer comprehensive care tailored to each patient’s needs, including:
Speech and Swallowing Therapy: Exercises to restore strength, coordination, and mobility.
Vocal Therapy: Techniques to optimize voice quality and adapt to any structural changes.
Medical Management: Addressing underlying conditions such as infections or inflammation that may impede recovery.
Our multidisciplinary approach ensures that patients receive holistic care, addressing both the physical and functional aspects of their recovery.
Your Partner in Vocal Health
At the Center for Vocal Health, we’re dedicated to helping patients overcome the challenges of vocal health issues through expert care and compassionate support. Whether you’re recovering from surgery, managing a chronic condition, or seeking to improve your vocal function, our team is here to guide you every step of the way.
