Do you ever feel like it takes so much effort to talk? Or your voice can only stay in certain ranges? You may have a tongue-tie. This condition occurs when the string of tissue that connects the underside of the tongue to the floor of the mouth is too short, tight, or thick. Essentially, your tongue movement is limited due to the abnormal tissue connection. While it’s mostly known to affect babies, there are adults who never got their tongue-tie treated. This can cause various oral function difficulties in their life, including speaking and singing. Read on to learn how it impacts these everyday abilities and how a specialty dentist can help.
Tongue-Tie & Speech
Oftentimes, people attribute speech problems to how it sounds when speaking—the articulation of words (i.e. stuttering or a lisp). When you have a tongue-tie, you may not have any of these issues, but your speaking ability can be impacted in other ways, such as:
- Fluency: A person with a tongue-tie may find it difficult to speak with ease, thus affecting their ability to be fluent. Their rate of speech can be significantly slower.
- Speech delay: Since the tongue is not able to move easily due to oral dysfunction, it may take a while to formulate certain words or phrases, resulting in delays while talking.
- More effort to talk: Many people with tongue-tie report experiencing extreme jaw fatigue or TMJ disorder. They are exhausted by the end of the day because it takes so much concerted effort to move their tongue in the right direction while speaking.
Tongue-Tie & Singing
Singing requires a lot of voice control and effort. If you have an oral condition like tongue-tie, it can be very hard to sing how you would like. The following are ways your voice can be impacted:
- Vocal quality: You may not be able to sing as clearly or as loud as you desire.
- Vocal range: You may not be able to hit certain notes, even those that are not considered difficult.
- Vocal fatigue: You may not be able to sing for long periods of time.
Many people report that once they undergo tongue-tie therapy, they can sing clearer and louder, hit various notes, and for much longer than before!
How Can Your Specialty Dentist Help with Tongue-Tie?
Fortunately, a lip and tongue specialist can help you speak and sing freely and easily! No matter the extent of your oral condition, advancements in dental technology and techniques have made it easier and more effective to treat this common condition.
Laser frenectomy is one of the most common treatments. The laser will loosen the tongue tissue and allow for better movement. It is incredibly precise and accurate, as well as very safe and comfortable. You will experience a release from tongue-tie and be able to sing and communicate to your heart’s delight!
About the Author
Dr. Andrea Csok and her team at Cleveland Tongue-Tie Center are eager to help solve any tongue-tie issues you may have. She extensively studied specific treatments for these disorders through Dr. Baxter’s Tongue-Tie Academy and she is also an active member of the Tongue-Tied Academy. With personal knowledge from her own tongue-tie issues, she can compassionately and accurately help you achieve a release from your oral condition with advanced technology and a customized plan. To schedule a consultation, contact her through her website or call (216) 292-2277.