After a laser frenuloplasty or frenectomy procedure, it's typical for your child to experience swelling for 1-3 days. As the anesthesia wears off within the first hour, ensure their hands are kept away from their mouth. Depending on your child's age, discomfort may occur, particularly on days 2 and 3. A cold compress can help alleviate swelling and discomfort for toddlers or older children. If your child weighs more than 6 pounds, you may administer Tylenol every six hours as needed. For children 6 months or older, ibuprofen, Motrin, or Advil may be given.

Your little one may have trouble sleeping, show behavioral changes, or experience nursing pattern alterations within the first 72 hours. However, these issues should begin to improve after 3 days.

To help the removal sites return to normal, you'll need to perform stretches. Here are some useful tips:

UPPER LIP STRETCHES

• With clean or gloved fingers, insert them into the lip fold (vestibule) and lift the lip up and outward as much as possible, revealing the white diamond and covering the nostrils. Some bleeding may occur during the first day or two but is normal.

• Lift the upper lip toward the nose four times.

• Start at the bottom of the revised area and gently move your finger upward.

• Simultaneously, press inward and slide your finger under their lip and toward their nose.

• Perform this up-and-down motion four times before moving your finger side-to-side four times.

TONGUE STRETCHES

• Insert your dominant hand's pointer finger into the mouth from the side or front.

• Press down in the middle under their tongue and lift it in a C-shaped motion, placing tension on the wound just above the white diamond and holding for 10 seconds.

• Repeat this movement four times.

• Position your child on your lap with their feet away from you and perform these stretches twice a day until the area turns a natural pink color.

• Keep your nails short and wash your hands before performing stretches to minimize germs and prevent additional harm.

• Use cold water or ice to cool your fingers before stretching.

• Focus on opening the released tissue to reveal the “diamond” shape on the lip and tongue. If the lip or tongue appears to be healing tightly, stretch more, but be prepared for potential minor bleeding.

• Perform these post-procedure exercises ideally six times a day (minimum four), with varying times of day.

• Continue this schedule for three weeks, then gradually decrease until stopping at the end of the fourth week.

• To prevent oral aversion, play with your child's mouth a few times a day using clean fingers. Tickle their lips or gums or let them suck on your finger.

• Allow as much Tummy-Time as possible for infants who have undergone a frenectomy. Visit TummyTimeMethod.com for tips.

• A wet scab will form in the released area after the first day, appearing white and soft, and may turn yellow or green. This is not an infection but resembles a mouth scab. The white/yellow area will shrink daily, but healing continues. Keep stretching to ensure the new frenum's length; otherwise, the surgery may need to be repeated. Contact our office with any concerns.