JCPSLP Vol 23, Issue 1 2021

Table 2. Questions related to the experience of tongue-tie release

Frequency n (%)

Adults reporting re: self n (%)

Parents reporting re: child n (%)

Who released the tongue-tie?

General practitioner

4 (9.8)

0 (0)

4 (12.9)

Dentist

28 (68.3)

9 (90.0)

19 (61.3)

Surgeon

3 (7.3)

0 (0)

3 (9.7)

Other

6 (14.6)

1 (10.0)

5 (16.1)

How was the tongue-tie released?

Laser

27 (67.5)

10 (100)

17 (56.7)

Snipped

12 (30.0)

0 (0)

12 (40.0)

Other

1 (2.5)

0 (0)

1 (3.3)

Did you notice any of the following after having the tongue-tie released?

Improved speech

4 (10.8)

0 (0)

4 (13.8)

Improved feeding

23 (62.2)

0 (0)

23 (79.3)

Improved oral hygiene

2 (2.7)

1 (12.5)

1 (3.4)

Improved sleep

0 (0)

0 (0)

0 (0)

Other

8 (21.6)

7 (87.5)

1 (3.4)

How soon after the release did you notice change?

Immediately

17 (45.9)

5 (71.4)

12 (40.0)

Within the first week

9 (24.3)

0 (0)

9 (30.0)

1–2 weeks

2 (5.4)

1 (14.3)

1 (3.3)

2–4 weeks

4 (10.8)

1 (14.3)

3 (10.0)

1–3 months

4 (10.8)

0 (0)

4 (13.3)

No change

1 (2.7)

0 (0)

1 (3.3)

What was your post-care?

Pain medication

6 (15.0)

2 (22.2)

4 (12.9)

Cleaning wound

1 (2.5)

0 (0)

1 (3.2)

Stretching exercises

24 (60.0)

4 (44.4)

20 (64.5)

Massage

1 (2.5)

0 (0)

1 (3.2)

Other

8 (20.0)

3 (33.3)

5 (16.1)

Would your decision-making process be different based on your experience?

Yes

12 (37.5)

1 (11.1)

11 (47.8)

No

20 (62.5)

8 (88.9)

12 (52.2)

respondents within the “other” category, and a tongue-tie specialist clinic was listed by a third. When asked whether changes were noticed following the release, 33 respondents (89.2%) replied “yes”. Over half of the respondents ( n = 26; 70.2%) reported that they noticed changes immediately or within a week of having the tongue-tie released. Only one respondent (2.7%), a parent, indicated that there was no change. Adults who reported having their own tongue-tie released cited increased tongue

and jaw mobility ( n = 2), reduced headaches ( n = 1), or a combination of reduced pain, improved sleep and improved swallowing as noticeable changes following the tongue-tie release. Improvements in feeding were most commonly cited by parents ( n = 23; 79.3%). Stretching exercises was the type of post-care most frequently selected by respondents ( n = 24; 60%). The three adults who selected “other” in response to this question specified orofacial myofunctional therapy as part

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JCPSLP Volume 23, Number 1 2021

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