How Long Will It Take for My Child to Recover After Their Frenectomy?

Lip and tongue-ties are often diagnosed in babies and young children. This condition can affect the way that a young child eats and speaks. It can also interfere with the ability to breastfeed successfully. The good news is that this condition can be easily corrected through a frenectomy. Read on to learn about frenectomies and what you can expect as your child recovers from their procedure.

How Does a Laser Frenectomy Work?

A frenectomy is a procedure that is performed to release the frenum – or the band of tissue beneath the tongue or behind the upper lip. This allows for a better range of motion. A soft-tissue laser is used to release this band of tissue. There is very little discomfort involved with the procedure and it is completed in just a few seconds. There should be very little to no bleeding afterward. Since the laser cauterizes and sterilizes the area as it goes, there is very little risk of infection.

Laser Frenectomy Aftercare

Mothers are encouraged to attempt breastfeeding (or bottle feeding) their infant immediately after the procedure. Oftentimes, there is immediate improvement. However, some mothers may not notice significant improvement for several weeks after the procedure, so there is no reason to be alarmed if you are still facing some challenges.

Pain medication isn’t usually necessary, but you can use acetaminophen as directed to help with lingering discomfort. The wound might appear white or yellow in appearance at first, but this is completely normal. If you have any concerns during the recovery period, contact your child’s dentist.

Tongue & Lip Stretching Exercises

The best way to help your child heal after their surgery is to perform some routine stretching exercises. Remember to always thoroughly wash your hands beforehand:

• Upper Lip: Place your clear finger beneath your child’s upper lip, placing it as the very tip. Move your finger gently from side to side.
• Tongue: Next, insert both of your index fingers into their mouth under the tongue. Gently lift their tong towards the roof of their mouth. Lift the tongue as high as you can and hold it for a couple of seconds before you let it fall back onto your finger. The goal is to prevent the tongue from reattaching to the floor of the mouth. You should also massage both sides of the incision softly to prevent the stiffening of the tongue muscles. Be super cautious because the wound site is sensitive.

Frenectomies can make a huge difference in your baby’s oral mobility if they’ve been diagnosed with a lip or tongue-tie. If you have any concerns or questions regarding their recovery, contact your child’s dentist for more information.

About the Author

Dr. Ramu Vuppala is an experienced dentist who has been working in the field for more the two decades. He earned his dental doctorate from the University of the Pacific Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry. Currently, he is a proud member of the American Dental Association, Texas Dental Association, Academy of Laser Dentistry, and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. For more information on frenectomies or to schedule an appointment for your child, visit his website or call (432) 520-5437.