Santa Cruz, Scotts Valley CA
Many people associate being “tongue-tied” with having trouble speaking clearly or tripping over words. However, the effects of a tongue-tie go far beyond speech difficulties. At Ebrahimian Integrative Dentistry, we see daily how tongue-tie can impact a wide range of issues, from breastfeeding and eating to sleeping and even speaking. In fact, tongue-tie can affect everything from reflux and colic in infants to problems like snoring and restless sleep in adults.
Understanding Tongue-Tie and Its Effects
A tongue-tie occurs when the tissue under the tongue (the frenulum) is too tight or restrictive. This condition can make it difficult for individuals to move their tongue freely, which can lead to challenges in speaking, eating, and even sleeping. Many people believe that a restricted tongue only affects articulation (the ability to form sounds properly), but the reality is that tongue-tie can have a much broader impact on vocal performance, including singing.
How Tongue-Tie Affects Singing
While most people think a tongue-tie only impacts the clarity of speech, it can also significantly affect vocal quality. For singers, having a restricted tongue can limit vocal range, cause vocal fatigue, and make certain transitions or notes more difficult to achieve. This is especially true for professionals like opera singers, who rely on the full range of their vocal abilities. Many singers with tongue-tie report struggling to hit specific notes or dealing with vocal strain that affects their performance.
For example, one of our patients, a young boy, shared with us that after having his tongue-tie release, he was able to hit a high note in his choir practice that he had never been able to reach before. His excitement over this newfound vocal ability was a clear indicator of how impactful the tongue’s mobility can be on vocal range and overall singing quality.
Singing Improvement After Tongue-Tie Release
After undergoing a tongue-tie release myself, I noticed significant improvements in my own vocal abilities. I found that I could sing louder, clearer, and with better overall quality. I also noticed that I no longer experienced vocal fatigue when reading aloud or singing songs repeatedly for my children. This improvement in vocal strength and clarity was an immediate benefit that I wasn’t expecting.
Over the years, we’ve had several professional singers—including opera singers and even Grammy-award-winning singer-songwriters—report improvements in their vocal performance after their tongue-tie release. These professionals had previously struggled with limitations in their range, vocal fatigue, and difficulty transitioning between notes. With the tongue now able to move more freely, they experienced a significant improvement in their ability to sing with greater ease and less strain.
The Role of the Tongue in Vocal Performance
It’s remarkable how few professional singers consider the impact of a restricted tongue on their vocal abilities. The tongue is one of the main articulators in speech and singing, so any restriction in its movement can hinder vocal expression. Additionally, the upper lip and cheek muscles can also be impacted, affecting the production of certain sounds in both speech and singing.
The Spectrum of Restriction
Tongue-tie is not a one-size-fits-all condition. The degree of restriction can vary, and even a small amount of limitation (such as a 20% restriction in tongue movement) can affect speech, singing, and other functions. For example, in infants, a posterior tongue-tie (a less obvious restriction) often causes more nursing pain for mothers than the more apparent anterior tongue-tie. Similarly, for adults, a seemingly minor restriction in the tongue can still lead to difficulties in vocal performance, sleep, and eating.
Singers Can Benefit from Tongue-Tie Release
At Ebrahimian Integrative Dentistry, we’ve worked with a range of patients—including singers from all walks of life—who have seen dramatic improvements in their vocal abilities after tongue-tie release. Whether you’re a professional opera singer, a choir member, or someone who simply loves to sing, you may benefit from this simple procedure.
In fact, one of our patients even started a blog called Diary of a Tongue-Tied Singer to document her journey and share her experiences with others. Additionally, myofunctional therapists and voice coaches are increasingly focusing on helping singers with tongue-tie, and there are even free resources available on YouTube that explain how tongue-tie affects vocal performance.
If you’ve ever wondered if a tongue restriction might be affecting your singing or vocal quality, it’s worth considering the benefits of a release. Don’t let a tongue-tie hold you back from reaching your full vocal potential.
