Frenectomy
Post-Operative Care

A frenectomy removes or releases a small band of tissue (frenum) that was restricting movement of the lip, cheek, or tongue. Most patients heal quickly with minimal discomfort. Following these instructions will help ensure comfortable healing and a good outcome.

  • Some bleeding or blood-tinged saliva is normal for the first few hours. Bite gently on gauze and replace it as needed.
  • Avoid spitting, rinsing vigorously, or using a straw for the first 24 hours.
  • A small amount of swelling is expected, especially with tongue or lip frenectomies performed on infants or young children.
  • Take prescription medication as advised—if no special drug is prescribed; adults can take 800 mg Ibuprofen (4 x 200 mg tablets) 3 times a day as needed for pain. DO NOT TAKE ASPRIN. Children should take recommended doses appropriate to their age and circumstances.
  • Stick to soft, cool, or room-temperature foods for the first 24–48 hours (yogurt, smoothies, applesauce, mashed potatoes, scrambled eggs).
  • Avoid spicy, acidic, crunchy, or hard foods (chips, citrus, hot sauce, crusty bread) until the site feels comfortable — typically 3–7 days.
  • Avoid carbonated and very hot beverages for the first day.
  • Resume a normal diet gradually as tolerated.
  • Do not brush or floss directly over the surgical site for the first 24 hours. Continue normal brushing everywhere else in the mouth.
  • Starting the day after surgery, rinse gently with warm salt water (1/2 teaspoon salt in 8 oz warm water) after meals, 2–3 times a day, for about a week. Do not swish forcefully — let the water gently flow over the area.
  • If a dissolvable suture was placed, it will fall out on its own, usually within 1–2 weeks — this is normal and does not require a visit.

STRETCHING and AFTERCARE EXERCISES

If left alone, most of the tissue that was cut will re-attach. Exercises and movement after surgery are essential to making sure the re-attachment is as minimal as possible. Yes, this will be painful, especially during the first few days after the release, but it is ABSOLUTELY necessary. Consistency matters more than perfection.

TONGUE AROUND THE WORLD          

Move the tongue in a circle along the teeth. Keep the lips closed. Don’t move the jaw. Begin with smaller circles around, build up to larger circles as tongue gets stronger. 5x in each direction (building up to 10x each direction), 3x/day.

LIP LICKERS

Lick the lips in a full circle, as if you are trying to lick off something sticky. 10x in each direction, 3x/day.

TONGUE CLICKS

Suction the tongue to the roof of the mouth, smile, and click the tongue down. Try not to move the jaw. 30 loud ones, 3x/day.          

PEANUT BUTTER SCRAPES

Open the mouth wide. Place the tip of the tongue behind the top front teeth. Scrape backwards as far as possible, toward the throat. 10x, 3x/day.     

TONGUE DRAGS

Same as the Peanut Butter Scrapes, but this time with the tongue suctioned to the roof of the mouth. 10x, 3x/day.

FRENUM MASSAGE

Suction the tongue to the roof of the mouth. Open as wide as possible. Then with 2 fingers, rub the frenum on both sides, from bottom to top. Try to rub as far back as possible. After 10 of these, massage 10 times on each side with one finger. 10 in the middle, & 10 on each side, 3x/day.

TONGUE PUSH UPS

Hold the lower jaw in place with one hand. Do not let it come forward. Open the mouth & extend the tongue out to a tongue depressor (or back of a spoon). Push as hard as possible. Hold for 3-10 seconds. 15x Hold each 3-10 seconds, 3x/day.

After the first week, start on the new exercises listed below. Do these exercises for another 5 weeks.

Tongue in Cheek

Push the tongue hard into the side of the cheek and hold. 10 times, 3x/day.

Caves

Suction the tongue to the roof of the mouth. Open the mouth as wide as possible. Hold for 5-10 seconds. 10 times, 3x/day.

Pencil Pull

Stick the tongue out and roll it over a pencil, or a chopstick. Then retract the tongue and roll it under the pencil/chop stick. 5 over, 5 under, 3x/day.

Tongue Push-up

Push the tongue against a tongue depressor or back of a spoon. Left, right, up, down, & out. 5x on all 5 sides, 3x/day.

Gentle Tongue Pull with Gauze

Gently grab the tongue with gauze or tissue paper. Gently pull out and hold for as long as tolerated. Then gently hold it at each side for as long as tolerated. 3x/day.

Frenum Massage

Suction the tongue to the roof of the mouth. Open as wide as possible. Then with 2 fingers, rub the frenum on both sides, from bottom to top. Try to rub as far back as possible. After 10 of these, massage 10 times on each side with one finger. 10 in the middle & 10 on each side, 3x/day.

Waggle-Waggle Spot

Extend the tongue as far as possible from one corner of the mouth to the other corner, end with tip of tongue behind the top front teeth, or pointing down towards the chin. 10 times, 3x/day.

Lizard Tongue

Extend the tongue as far as possible, holding for 10 seconds. The tongue should feel long and skinny like a lizard’s tongue. Then with mouth open wide, touch the tip of tongue to behind the top front teeth. 10 times, 3x/day.

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