Published on September 30, 2022, Updated on September 30, 2022
The length of healing and recovery time following tongue-tie surgery will be determined on the type of tongue tied your infant has and the intricacy of the procedure. You must follow these aftercare guidelines numerous times per day, regardless of the treatment, to prevent the frenulum from regrowing in a restricted way.
What Can You Expect After Frenectomy?
When children have tongue-tie, it can make it difficult for them to eat and develop proper speaking habits. A frenectomy is a technique that can relieve tongue-tie and allow people to live their lives normally again.
Your infant may experience discomfort for 24 to 48 hours following a frenectomy. They will, however, be able to eat immediately. Breastfeeding is advised during this time since skin-to-skin contact can provide your infant with natural pain relief. If your child is in pain, you can give them pain relievers such as acetaminophen.
Do not be concerned about the yellowish or white skin at the surgery site; this is quite normal. It may take several days to a few weeks for the color to return to normal. As the healing process progresses, you will observe that the wound narrows. If the wound becomes red and irritated, please contact our office right away.
What Are The Tongue and Lip Stretching Exercises?
Your infant will be able to move their tongue more easily after a frenectomy. This does not happen normally, which is why tongue exercises assist your infant to become acclimated to the tongue, retraining tongue movement, and strengthening tongue muscles. The exercises can also assist to prevent scar formation and the need for a second frenectomy.
- Using two fingers, gently lift the tongue toward the roof of the mouth. Lift your tongue as high as it will go and keep it there for two seconds before returning it to your finger. This will assist ensure that the tongue does not stick back to the floor of the mouth throughout the healing process.
- Carefully glide your finger from side to side under your child’s top lip for a few seconds.
- Gently massage either side of the incision to protect the tongue muscles from becoming stiff. This will allow your tongue to move freely while it recovers. Be cautious since the wound site will remain sensitive.
What Are The Sucking Exercises You Can Perform To Your Baby?
Sucking exercises teach the newborn how to suckle properly with their new tongue. They also ensure that the infant does not believe that putting something in their mouth would injure them. They should perform the following exercises for 30 to 45 seconds beginning the third day after their frenectomy:
- Gently and carefully rub your baby’s lower gum line from side to side with your finger. Your baby’s tongue should begin to move in sync with the movement. This will assist them in learning how to move their tongue from side to side.
- Use your finger to get your infant to suck, then gently withdraw your finger out. It is natural for your infant to try to put your finger back in their mouth. This stage can also be done using a pacifier. The practice helps to strengthen the tongue. If your infant becomes agitated, cease the exercises and go to the next phase.
- Place your finger in your baby’s mouth and push softly on the top of their mouth as they suckle. Then, to stop your infant from sucking, push down on their tongue. Then, put your finger back on the baby’s lips to encourage him to start sucking again. Repeat numerous times. If they appear unhappy, proceed to the next step.
- Insert your index finger to your baby’s cheek to ease stress, then place your thumb on the outside of the cheek and massage from side to side.
These post-surgery guidelines might help your kid get the most out of the therapy. Please contact our office if you want to learn more about tongue-tie.