Dr. Kornstein wearing a mask and holding a baby before a frenectomy

FRENECTOMY POST-OP INSTRUCTIONS

Instructions For Infants And Children

The post-operative care after undergoing a frenectomy at Wake Pediatric Tongue-Tie Center in Raleigh and Garner is tailored to ensure a smooth and comfortable recovery process. Patients receive comprehensive guidance on managing any potential discomfort, swelling, or bleeding that may occur. Our team, led by Dr. Kornstein, remains committed to supporting patients throughout the healing process, fostering an environment that prioritizes both dental health and overall well-being. Wake Orthodontics & Pediatric Dentistry ensures that children and their parents feel well-informed and confident as they navigate the post-operative period, ultimately contributing to great oral health outcomes.

Post-op instructions for frenectomy

POST-OP CARE FOR INFANTS

WHAT TO EXPECT

While every baby is different, most infants will heal and recover from a frenectomy procedure in 4 major stages.

  • Your baby will be sore, fussy and may have difficulty latching/feeding
  • “White diamond healing patch” will begin to form
  • The healing will be happening under this white scab, just like a scrape anywhere else on the body
  • Begin administering pain medication as needed

  • Soreness will begin to taper off; administer pain medication as needed
  • Your baby will relearn how to suck; feeding may be inconsistent
  • “White diamond healing patch” reaches maximum size

  • Soreness will have subsided, but exercises may cause mild discomfort
  • Improved latching and feeding
  • “White diamond healing patch” shrinks; new frenulum begins to form

  • Can stop stretching exercises after week 4; baby will no longer be sore
  • “White diamond healing patch” will be gone and new frenulum will be in final form
  • Feeding becomes more consistent

NORMAL BEHAVIOR

  • Difficulty latching and feeding during the first week
  • Increased drooling and saliva bubbles
  • Increased sleeping
  • Bleeding after doing stretching exercises
  • Increased fussiness and crying

WHEN TO CALL A DOCTOR

  • Fever over 101.5 F
  • Uncontrollable bleeding
  • Refusal to feed for over 8 hours

STRETCHING EXERCISES FOR INFANTS

Post-op stretching exercises are necessary for a healthy, safe recovery. These exercises ensure that the released tissue does not reattach during the rapid healing process.

Labial (Lip-Tie) Exercise: 5X5

  • With clean hands or a gloved finger, grasp your baby’s upper lip and gently lift it up and back towards the nose. Hold this position for 5 seconds.
  • Use your index finger to gently sweep side to side, holding each side for 5 seconds.
  • Repeat the same motion up and down, holding each for 5 seconds.
  • Be sure to insert your finger deep into the fold between the lips and gums so they cannot stick together. Repeat 5 times a day for 4 weeks.

Lingual (Tongue-Tie) Exercises: Tongue Lift

  • With clean hands or a gloved finger, place both index fingers on either side of the “White Diamond Healing Patch.” The patch is soft and squishy; fingers should sink behind the patch.
  • Use your other fingers to push down on the chin to stabilize and prevent chomping.
  • Gently lift the tongue up and down 5 times.
  • Gently massage the diamond up and down (5 times) and side to side (5 times).

Tip: If your baby is squirming during stretching exercises, try using a swaddle.

POST-OP CARE FOR CHILDREN

WHAT TO EXPECT

While every child is different, most children will heal and recover from a frenectomy procedure in 3 major stages.

  • Your child will be sore and in some cases, swollen; administer pain medication as needed
  • The “white diamond healing patch” will begin to form
  • The healing will be happening under this white scab, just like a scrape anywhere else on the body
  • A slight fever can be normal on the first day
  • Your child can eat whatever foods they can tolerate
  • Minimal bleeding possible
  • Begin stretching exercises

  • Wound will look better
  • Soreness will subside
  • Continue stretching exercises

  • Wound should look almost normal by week 2
  • Continue exercises as directed though week 3; starting week 4, begin decreasing the frequency of exercises each day

NORMAL BEHAVIOR

  • Soreness and tenderness
  • Slight swelling
  • Minimal bleeding or spotting

WHEN TO CALL A DOCTOR

  • Uncontrollable bleeding
  • Swelling that does not subside
  • Fever over 101.5 F
  • The tissue begins to reattach (upper lip to gums or floor of the mouth to gums)

*Tip: While your child can eat anything they can tolerate, avoid spicy, sour or hot food and rinse your child’s mouth after eating.

STRETCHING EXERCISES FOR CHILDREN

Stretching exercises ensure that the removed tissue does not reattach and that your child’s frenulum heals in a healthy and safe way.

Use a clean or gloved finger and pull the upper lip as high as possible, pressing it against the nose. Press gently but firmly; the goal is to keep the “white diamond healing patch” open and prevent the frenum from reattaching to the upper gums. Some bleeding is normal. Repeat 3 times a day for 4 weeks.

After frenectomy wake orthodontics raleigh nc

Note: Perform exercises very slowly and in front of a mirror.

  • Snake Tongue: Have your child stick their tongue straight out as far as they can and pull it back in. Repeat x 10, 2 times a day for 4 weeks.
  • Waggle Waggle Spot: Have your child waggle their tongue to the right and left, and touch the spot between their two front teeth. Repeat x 5 in each direction, 2  times a day for 4 weeks.
  • Tongue Roof: Have your child place their tongue against the roof of their mouth and make a suction motion. Maintain the suction motion while they slowly open their mouth as wide as they can. This should cause a clicking sound. Repeat x 10, 2 times a week for 4 weeks.
  • Diamond Massage (delay a week, if sutures were needed): With a clean or gloved finger, lift the tongue at the top of the diamond in the middle of the tongue. Open up and lengthen the whole diamond; some bleeding may occur.Repeat 4 times a day for 4 weeks.

IMPORTANT THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND

  • Any open oral wound likes to contract toward the center of that wound as it heals. It is important to regularly complete stretching exercises to keep it open, loose and flexible as it heals.
  • If you have two raw surfaces in the mouth in close proximity, they will reattach.

  • If the lip-tie was released, the child’s lip may swell up slightly that evening or the next day. It is normal and will go down in a day or two.

EXERCISE TIPS

  • Wash hands well prior to exercises and moisten your finger with coconut oil or breast milk

  • Do not go more than 6 hours without stretching
  • Stretches are NOT meant to be forceful or prolonged
  • Approach these exercises with a positive attitude. These exercises can be made into a game or another playful activity to keep children engaged and motivated

PAIN MANAGEMENT TIPS

  • Administer pain medication to soothe soreness and reduce swelling

  • For children under 6 months of age: administer Tylenol/Acetaminophen based on your baby’s weight, we highly recommend that you consult your pediatrician for dosages of Tylenol with infants

  • For children over 6 months of age: administer Tylenol or Motrin based on medication instructions and your child’s weight
  • Let ice chips slowly dissolve in your child’s mouth
  • Can freeze breast milk ice chips for infants
  • Use homeopathic extracts: apply aconitum (calming, reduces pain and fever), bellis perennis (tissue healing), calendula (soothe the wound) or chamomilla (wound healing). Many parents suggest that a small amount of coconut oil or breast milk lightly rubbed over the wound can be very soothing
  • Decrease baby’s fussiness with skin-to-skin contact
  • If bleeding occurs, use a damp cloth to put gentle pressure on the affected area

FORKLIFT ANALOGY

Picture you are using a forklift to pick up a box with a rope attached to the ground.
Your fingers are the forks
The tongue is the box
The frenulum/ “White Diamond Healing Patch” is the rope.

When completing stretching exercises, remember is it not how hard you lifting that matters, but the position of your fingers. The forklift analogy helps you remember just that!

CORRECT

When the fingers/forks are placed correctly and far back, the tongue/box lifts and the frenulum/rope stretches taut.

Forklift graphic holding box the correct way

INCORRECT

When the fingers/forks are placed incorrectly and too far forward, the tongue/box falls backward and the frenulum/rope is loose.

Forklift graphic incorrectly holding box

POST-FRENECTOMY & TONGUE-TIE RELEASE EXERCISE VIDEOS

Here are some videos from our team members demonstrating the proper exercises to ensure your child has a speedy, successful recovery!

REAL RESULTS: BEFORE AND AFTER FRENECTOMY

Still wondering if your child would benefit from a frenectomy to remove a tongue or lip tie in Raleigh or Garner? See the difference for yourself! These are real Wake Pediatric patients, and these are their real results before and after their tongue and lip tie corrections!

Before frenectomy2 wake raleigh After frenectomy2
Before frenectomy3 wake pediatric dentistry After frenectomy3 wake pediatric
Before frenectomy4 After frenectomy4
Before frenectomy5 After frenectomy5
Before frenectomy8 tongue-tie After frenectomy8 tongue-tie
Before frenectomy9 tongue-tie After frenectomy9 tongue-tie
Before frenectomy11 tongue-tie After frenectomy11 tongue-tie
Before frenectomy6 After frenectomy6
Before frenectomy wake After frenectomy wake orthodontics raleigh nc
Tongue-tie before frenectomy wake pediatric dentistry After frenectomy wake tongue-tie
Before tongue-tie After tongue-tie
Patient frenectomy lip tie before surgery Patient frenectomy lip tie after surgery
Wake patients smiling in dental chairs
Wake pediatric patient hugging stuffed monkey
Wake exterior signage

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Smiles Crafted With Precision, Care And Expertise

When it comes to your family’s oral health, seeking the expertise of Wake Orthodontics and Pediatric Dentistry is a choice that ensures quality, personalized care. Whether you’re seeking pediatric dental care or orthodontic treatment for your family, our team is dedicated to delivering exceptional service every step of the way. From the moment you reach out to us, you’ll experience professionalism, warmth and a commitment to creating healthy, beautiful smiles.