Your Child’s Frenectomy Is Done, Now What? A Recovery Breakdown

If your child needs a frenectomy, then you might do what you can to ensure they have a comfortable time. This procedure will help get rid of their lip and tongue-tie, but they will need to recover afterward. The good news is that it’s often a smooth process, but how long will it take? Here’s what you should know and ways you can help your loved one after this treatment.

How Long Does Frenectomy Recovery Take?

In short, it can take a few weeks for your child to fully recover from a frenectomy. They may be a bit sore and experience some discomfort in the first day or two, but it shouldn’t last much longer than that. However, your loved one will be able to eat or breastfeed immediately after. In fact, it’s even recommended that they do!

When looking at the surgical site, you may notice that the soft tissues look white or yellowish. While it may seem odd, this is expected. The color will go back to normal as they heal, which can take several days or weeks. You may also notice the wound getting smaller, but if it’s red and inflamed, then it’s best to call their lip and tongue-tie specialist.

What Can I Do to Help My Child Heal?

As your child recovers, you might wonder what you can do to help them. Thankfully, there are plenty of things you can do! Here are some tips to try out:

• Physical closeness and skin-to-skin can go a long way in soothing your loved one. It might seem small, but it can even help manage their discomfort.
• Do small feedings at first to minimize soreness and prevent muscle fatigue as your child gets used to the new lip and tongue mobility.
• Talk to their pediatric dentist about over-the-counter infant/child pain relievers.
• Give cold treats, such as chilled soft foods or sugar-free popsicles. These can lessen swelling and pain.
• Keep up your loved one’s oral hygiene routine. Clearing out bacteria and plaque can reduce complications.

It’s also important that you have your child do lip and tongue-tie exercises. You can place your finger under their lip and lightly lift upward as high as possible for a couple of seconds. Sweeping across it side to side can also be helpful. For the tongue, you can gently raise it as well for a second or two to stretch the diamond-shaped wound.

Helping your loved one do this can prevent the tissues from healing back together even more tightly than before! So, by sticking with these tips, you can ensure your child has the smooth recovery they deserve.

About the Practice

At Florida Tongue Tie Institute, our team specializes in helping kids thrive through expert frenectomy care. Led by Dr. Maggie Davis, we provide compassionate, personalized treatment and guide families every step of the way. Using state-of-the-art laser technology, your child benefits from an easier procedure that helps them feel their best. If you have any questions about this service, schedule an appointment or call our office at (727) 786–7551.