Finding out that your child needs a frenectomy may not be the best news you’ll hear; however, knowing that the procedure is quick and virtually painless helps to reduce fears for you and your child. But exactly how long will it take for them to recover? What can you and your child expect in the days and weeks after surgery? To help answer these questions, a pediatric dentist is here to explain what you can expect when it comes to the timeframe for your little one to begin using their lip and/or tongue normally.
What Does the Normal Recovery Timeframe Look Like?
On average, the standard recovery for a frenectomy is a few days; however, more thorough healing will take about one week.
Much of this depends on the severity of the lip or tongue tie, the age of your child, and if any complications occur. Fortunately, most cases do not report any issues after surgery.
What is Expected After Surgery?
If you have an infant who must undergo a frenectomy, you can expect them to experience some soreness for up to 48 hours after the procedure.
Once the dentist releases the tie, though, you can begin to nurse your child immediately following, as skin-to-skin contact will help to calm your baby.
After a few days, there may be skin that appears yellow or white, but do not worry, as this is normal and will dissipate within 1-2 weeks. The area of treatment will also begin to become narrower.
In the days following your child’s frenectomy, you’ll need to make sure that you perform various stretches to ensure that the banded tissue does not try to reattach. Using clean hands, you will need to follow the instructions provided to you by your dentist.
Is Recovery Different for Older Children?
Naturally, there are few differences when it comes to helping an older child recover from a frenectomy. If your child is older, you’ll want to make sure that they avoid hard, crunchy foods for a few days, as this will only cause additional discomfort.
Some swelling is normal, and an ice pack can be applied to the upper or lower lip to assist in reducing inflammation and discomfort. It might also be helpful to administer Tylenol or ibuprofen according to the appropriate dosage instructions.
Your child will also need to make sure that they brush their teeth as normal; however, they just need to be careful when approaching areas near the surgical site.
In most situations, your child will feel good enough to resume physical activity the day after their procedure; however, it’s best to wait a few days before allowing them to engage in more strenuous activities so that the mouth has ample time to heal successfully.
About the Author
Dr. Bryce Cushing is a pediatric dentist who completed his dental degree at the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Dentistry. After graduating with honors, he completed a pediatric residency at the University of Florida College of Dentistry. As the lead dentist at Surf’s Up Pediatric Dentistry, he and his team are here to offer exceptional care to patients. If your child shows signs of a lip or tongue tie, make sure to contact us via the website or call (402) 773-7873 to find out how we can help.