After The Frenectomy
What to Expect
Things You May Notice
- You may see a minimal amount of blood in the saliva after a stretch of the lip and/or tongue. This is normal and will typically result if areas of the healing site were sticking together. The key is to use this same pressure in subsequent stretches.
- The healing process also increases saliva production. In addition, your infant may be adjusting to a new range of motion and can have difficulty controlling saliva. This is usually temporary.
Normal Post-Operative Signs
- Increased fussiness
- Difficulty with latch
- Increased choking or spitting up
- Increased sleepiness
- Further support
BENEFITS OF POST-OPERATIVE EXERCISES
Post-operative exercises help achieve the best outcome by supporting the wound’s healing in its new, open position. They reduce the chances of new frenum attachments forming and increase the range of motion for the tongue and lips.
PAIN MANAGEMENT
-Tylenol or Motrin may be given depending on your child’s weight.
- Milk chips can help naturally numb the procedure area to ease with any discomfort. First, place a milk filled bag flat in the freezer. Once frozen, take tiny pieces off and place them under the tongue or lip.
- Coconut oil can be applied in tiny amounts, best if chilled.
- Hydration is key, this will help keep the oral wound areas moist.
- Skin to skin will help release the oxytocin, which is a hormone that decreases sensitivity to pain
AFTER THE PROCEDURE
What You May Experience
Remember that not all babies are the same and may not follow the time line
Day 1-3
- You can expect your baby to have soreness, fussiness, and discomfort. Begin with one initial stretch in the evening of procedure day.
- Healing tissue, “white diamond” begins forming.
- Your baby may experience trouble latching.
- Have an alternative feeding and comfort plan prepared in case.
Week 1
Baby’s discomfort begins to decrease • Minor bleeding may occur after stretches • Baby is beginning to adjust to new suck/swallow patterns • Improvements may be noticeable, but feedings also may still be inconsistent
Week 2
- Commitment is established with exercises.
- White diamond area decreasing in size.
- Baby building on new mobility with adjustment patterns.
- Improvements with more consistent feedings.
Week 3
- Continuing stretches of healed frenectomy procedure site.
- White diamond area gone, new frenulum attachment beginning to take final shape and position.-
- Baby continues to gain more strength with new mobility.
- Even more progress noted with more expected feedings.
THE "WHITE DIAMOND" AREA
The healing tissue area will form on the wound 1-2 days after the procedure; this is nature’s band- aid. The color of this area is typically white but, in some cases, yellow. This is normal and not an indication of infection. It will slowly disappear in approximately 1-2 weeks post-surgery.
STRETCHING INSTRUCTION
Push, Scoop, Stretch
TONGUE
To help the triangle shaped wound heal in the new open position, press down on the floor of the mouth with one finger behind the bony ridge. Using a finger on your other hand, push tongue upwards, stretching for a count of 10, thus preserving the new range of motion. Then, try to place both of your index fingers on either side of the tongue and stretch diamond by pulling fingertips apart.
LIP
To help the triangle shaped wound heal in the new open position, lift the upper lip towards the nose and then pull side to side, while counting to 10. Make certain to pull upwards watching the tissue to ensure you are effectively stretching the tissue of the wound.