WAKE TONGUE-TIE CENTER
PAIN MANAGEMENT TIPS

You can also use some diluted clove oil for topical pain relief. Mix seven drops of clove oil in 2 ml (a little less than a teaspoon) in fractionated coconut oil. Apply one drop along the upper gum line and one drop under the tongue each time you do the stretches.

Children’s Tylenol may be used every six hours for two to three days safely for pain after the procedure. If your baby is too sore to feed, then the Tylenol will break the pain cycle to help with feeding.

If the tongue muscle is sore, systemic treatment and soothing behaviors work best. Make sure to include comfort measures like: skin to skin 30 minutes before feeding, baby wearing, epsom salt warm bath float, singing to your baby, reducing sensory input by creating a quiet environment, limiting visitors, spending more time at home, small breast milk ice chips on healing areas, tummy time, sleep posture hold and infant massage.

A glistening of coconut oil lightly massaged on the wounds can be very soothing and taste pleasant and is safe to use for babies as well as older children and adults.

Children and adults may respond better to ibuprofen, which needs to be given with solid food. Ibuprofen can be given every six hours. You may also alternate the ibuprofen with Tylenol, which can be given every six hours.

You can also use some diluted clove oil for topical pain relief. Mix seven drops of clove oil in 2 ml (a little less than a teaspoon) in fractionated coconut oil. Apply one drop on each site and rub it in as often as needed.

Chloraseptic sore throat spray can also be used for the first few days to numb the areas.

A glistening of coconut oil lightly massaged on the wounds can be very soothing and taste pleasant and is safe to use for babies as well as older children and adults.

Ice chips in the area, lots of popsicles, and soft foods will help relieve discomfort. While there are no food restrictions, chewier foods may cause more soreness while eating.

It is not unusual to get some bleeding with the tongue stretch if there is tension in the tongue or floor of the mouth. Use wet gauze to hold on the area. A cold, wet black tea bag on the area will also quickly stop bleeding in the mouth by the action of the tannic acid in the black tea. You may keep some wet black tea bags in the refrigerator for the first week to use with stretches.

The first week’s focus is on keeping the tongue tip just behind the top teeth and the rest of the tongue should be suctioned to the palate at rest. After the first few days, it will actually feel better to stretch more and this is a good time to start strengthening exercises (Myo exercises PDF in aftercare education). Every mouth is different, and when we see you for your follow up appointment, we may recommend seeing a chiropractor who works with the mouth to help with tension and/or a myofunctional therapist to help build tongue muscle strength and coordination.

1000 mg of buffered Vitamin C, adding 1000 mg until you reach 10,000 mg per day or bowel tolerance (if you get loose stool). Continue high dosage for two weeks post surgery and then reduce by 1000 mg per day.

Arnica: 200c twice daily taken from the day prior and for two weeks post frenectomy to reduce inflammation and repair blood vessels.

Hypericum: 30c taken three times daily starting procedure day until any nerve pain subsides. This reduces pain and aides in nerve healing.

Staphysagria: 200c taken twice daily starting on the procedure day and for two weeks post frenectomy. This aides in the ability to heal wounds.

A glistening of coconut oil lightly massaged on the wounds can be very soothing and taste pleasant and is safe to use for babies as well as older children and adults.

Bach Kids Rescue Remedy: Follow Bach instructions on label for each age.

Arnica: 30c to calm swelling and promote healing. Dissolve 5 pellets in 1 oz of breast milk, formula or water. Give 5-10 drops every 1-2 hours as needed. May be given every 15 minutes during an acute episode.

Staphysagria: 6C to promote wound healing. Give one pellet dissolved in breast milk or formula 2x daily.

Hypericum: 30c or 30x. Give 1 pellet dissolved in breast milk or formula 2x daily.

Breast Milk Ice Chips: Reduces pain and soothes discomfort. Freeze breast milk flat in a freezer bag, break up into small pieces and place one by one in mouth until breast milk chips dissolve.

A glistening of coconut oil lightly massaged on the wounds can be very soothing and taste pleasant and is safe to use for babies as well as older children and adults.