There are two two important concepts to understand about Oral wounds
1. Any open oral wound likes to contract towards the center of that wound as it is healing (hence the need to keep it dilated open).
2. If you have two raw surfaces in the mouth in close proximity, they will reattach.
Remember:
Post-procedure stretches are key to getting an optimal result.
These stretches are NOT meant to be forceful or prolonged. It's best to be quick and precise with your movements.
It is recommended that you purchase an affordable LED headlight (like a camping headlight) to allow you to get the best results.
We highly encourage you to approach these exercises in a positive manner.
Helpful Tips
If your baby is extra fussy, be sure to use lots of skin-to-skin contact. This increases oxytocin levels, lowering pain sensitivity.
If latch has become difficult, try taking a nice warm bath with your baby and try latching in bath.
If your little one is extra squirmy during the exercises, try using a swaddle.
Although not necessary, you may find the exercises more comfortable using nitrile gloves.
Normal Post-Treatment Occurrences
Increased fussiness and inconsolable crying
during first week
Make sure you stay ahead of discomfort and be proactive
with pain medications.
Bleeding after stretching
A little bit of blood in a pool of saliva appears worse than it
really is. If this occurs, nothing needs to be done and it is
safe to feed immediately.
Trouble with latch during first week
Due to the initial soreness and re-learning of suck, feedings
may be inconsistent the first week. In some cases, latch or
symptoms may worsen before they get better. It is critical to
work with an IBCLC for any feeding related issues.
Increased choking and spitting up
Some babies may have a harder time adjusting to an
increased milk flow. This is usually temporary and should be
addressed with your IBCLC.
Increased drooling and saliva bubbles
The healing process increases saliva production. Also, your
infant may be adjusting to a new range of motion and can
have difficulty controlling saliva. This is usually temporary.
Increased sleeping
This may be due to medication, exhaustion, or that the infant
is feeling better and is more satisfied. Sleep may act as a
coping mechanism for discomfort
When you need to call the doctor
Although rare, please do not hesitate to call or text
Dr. Ivy Yu at 604-617-9091 if you experience the
following:
Fever greater than 38.5° C
Uncontrolled bleeding
Refusal to feed (bottle and/or breast) for over eight hours
Thank you so much for choosing us! We truly wish you and your
baby a fast and easy recovery. Understand that feeding
problems are quite common so you are not alone. Please reach
out for emotional support from others who understand.
Unit 220-9600 Cameron Street,
Burnaby BC, V3J 7N3
604-421-1413
info@mysmilehealthcentre.com
Home Care Information For Post-Op Frenectomy (New Borns & Infants)
What You May Expect After The Procedure
Please note that not all babies follow the typical healing
timeline depicted below.
Day 1-3
Day 1-3
Day 1-3
Day 1-3
Baby will
be sore,
expect
fussiness
Soreness
starts to taper
off day 7-10
Implement
suck training
exercises 2-
3x daily
Post-op
stretching
routine no
longer
necessary,
gentle
messaging of
new frenulum
encouraged
Healing
“white
patch”
forms, this
is
“nature’s
ban-aid”
Baby may be
fussy
Healing patch
shrinking
Healing patch
gone and
new frenulum
takes final
shape and
position
Pain meds
given as
needed
Baby is re-
learning how
to suck
New frenulum
forming
Bodywork,
OT, PT, AND
LC follow-ups
as needed
May have
trouble
with latch
Feedings may
be
inconsistent
Bodywork
and LC follow
ups as
needed
Continual
progress with
feeding
Have back
up feeding
plan and
comfort
measures
prepared
LC follow up within the first
5 days is highly recommended establish daily tummy
time routine
Start to see
signs of improvement
with feeding
Pain Management Recommendations
Under 6 Months
Infant Acetaminophen/Tylenol (80mg/1ml
concentration) ____________________ ml
Dose based on weight; given every 6-8 hours for first few days as
needed for pain
Over 6 Months
If infant is older than two months and Tylenol is ineffective, get
consent from pediatrician for Ibuprofen use.
Infant Drops lbuprofen/Advii/Motrin (40mg/ml
concentration) ml
Dose based on weight; given every 6-8 hours for first few
days as needed for pain
Natural Remedies
Breast milk ice chips
Breast milk ice chips Can act as a natural numbing agent and
help with pain. Freeze milk flat in a baggie and place tiny
pieces under lips, tongue, or cheek and let melt slowly.
Organic Coconut Oil
Best if kept chilled and safe for any age. Simply apply small
dab to treated areas 4-6 times a day.
Homeopathic remedies
Homeopathy isa system of holistic medicine that stimulates
the body to heal itself. It uses high dilute
solutions specially prepared from natural plant and mineral
extracts which are gentle on the body and produce very
little risk of side effects. Homeopathy is ideal to use with
infants, pregnant and nursing women, chemically sensitive
individuals, and those seeking a more natural alternative to
pharmaceuticals.
Suggestions:
Bach Kids Rescue Remedy
Chamomilla (irritability & inflammation)- Boiron Camilia single doses
Arnica Montana 30C (wound healing)- Dissolve 5 pellets in 1 oz dropper bottle of distilled water;give 5-10 drops every 2-3 hours as needed. Store chilled.
Staphysagria 6C (wound healing)- 1 pellet 2x/day
What are the "White Diamond" Healing Patches?
The released area will form a wet, soft scab after the first day.
This is nature's "band-aid" and while typically white in color, in
some cases it is yellow. The diamond will peak in size by day
seven and then start to shrink over the following week.
Stretching Protocol
Stretch each site for 5 seconds every 5-7 hours or
approximately 4x daily. You do not need to wake your
infant while he/she is sleeping during the night but instead,
be sure to complete a thorough stretch after he/she wakes
Lingual Frenum (Tongue)
With clean hands, place both
index finger tips at the left
and right corners of
diamond. This area is
squishy so make sure your
fingers sink behind the
diamond. Use other fingers
to push down on chin to
counter any chomping.
Stretch the tongue up (indicated by arrow shown) and
hold for 5 seconds. You should be able to see the entire
diamond stretching vertically.
Labial Frenum (Lip)
With clean hands, rest pads
of index fingers on the upper
jaw and flip the
upper lip back towards the
nose. Hold for 5 seconds and
be sure you can see
the entire wound site.
Gently swipe 1x with index
finger from side to side in the fold under the lip.