How to Assist Your Child’s Recovery After Tongue-Tie Surgery
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October 3, 2022The duration of healing and recovery time after tongue-tie surgery is dictated by the type of tongue tied your baby has as well as the complexity of the treatment. Regardless of the procedure, you must follow these aftercare instructions several times every day to avoid the frenulum from regrowing in a restricted manner.
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What Can You Expect Following Frenectomy?
Children with tongue-tie may find it challenging to eat and establish correct speech habits. A frenectomy is a surgical procedure that can remove tongue tie and allow patients to resume their normal lifestyles.
Following a frenectomy, your baby may experience discomfort for 24 to 48 hours. However, they will be able to be fed immediately. During this period, breastfeeding is recommended since skin-to-skin contact can offer your child natural pain relief. You can give your child pain medicines such as acetaminophen if they are in pain.
Do not worry about the yellow or white skin at the surgical site; this is quite normal. Several days to several weeks may be required for this color to return to normal. As the healing process advances, the wound will get narrower. If the wound gets inflamed and red, please contact our office immediately.
What Are The Tongue and Lip Stretching Exercises?
Your child will be able to move their tongue more freely after a frenectomy. This is not a normal occurrence, thus tongue exercises can assist your infant in becoming used to the tongue, retraining tongue movement, and strengthening tongue muscles. In addition, the exercises can minimize scar formation and the need for a second frenectomy.
- Using your two fingers, lift the tongue toward the roof of the mouth. Before placing your tongue back on your finger, hold it as high as possible for two seconds. During the healing process, this will prevent the tongue from sticking to the bottom of the mouth.
- Move your finger cautiously from side to side under your child’s top lip for a few seconds.
- Massage both sides of the incision softly to prevent the stiffening of the tongue’s muscles. This will let your tongue to recover while remaining mobile. The wound site will continue to be sensitive, so exercise caution.
What Sucking Exercises Can You Perform on Your Baby?
Sucking exercises educate the infant on how to correctly nurse with their new tongue. Additionally, they guarantee that the baby does not feel that putting something in his or her mouth would be harmful. The following exercises should be performed for 30 to 45 seconds commencing on the third post-frenectomy day:
- Rub your baby’s lower gumline gently and carefully from side to side with your finger. The tongue of your infant should begin to move in time with the action. This will help them develop the ability to move their tongue from side to side.
- Use your finger to induce sucking in your child, and then gently remove your finger. It is normal for your newborn to attempt to re-insert your finger into their mouth. This phase can also be accomplished using a pacifier. The exercise helps to strengthen the tongue. Stop the exercises and go to the next step if your baby becomes upset.
- Place your finger in your infant’s mouth and gently press on the top of their mouth as they nurse. Then, press down on their tongue to prevent them from sucking. Then, place your finger on the infant’s lips to encourage him to resume sucking. Repeat many times. If they seem unhappy, move to the next stage.
- Insert your index finger inside your baby’s cheek, then lay your thumb on the outside of the cheek and massage from side to side to reduce stress.
These post-surgery instructions may help your child receive the maximum benefit from the treatment. Please contact our office for additional information on tongue-tie.
