Does your precious baby have a lip or tongue tie? This relatively common problem can make it more difficult for them to feed and get the nutrients they need. Thankfully, a quick and easy treatment called a frenectomy can snip the excess tissue that’s causing this problem and improve your infant’s quality of life. Frenectomies can be completed by a trained pediatric dentist, and thanks to advanced technology like the Solea soft tissue laser, they’re faster and gentler than ever before! However, your baby will still need some extra attention after their procedure. Here are some infant oral care tips for help make recovering from a laser frenectomy go as smoothly as possible.
Monitoring Your Baby
A frenectomy is not nearly as intense as other procedures, but it is still a minor surgery. If you can, take a few days to stay home with your baby to monitor them as they recover. Just like with other treatments, it’s a good idea to let your baby rest and take it easy after their frenectomy.
Occasionally, gently lift up your baby’s lip or tongue to make sure the site looks like it’s healing properly. It’s normal to see some minor bleeding and for your baby’s stool to be slightly darker than usual because of small amounts of swallowed blood. However, if the bleeding hasn’t stopped or the surgical site still seems very red and swollen several days later, call your pediatric dentist right away.
Keeping Your Baby Comfortable
During your little one’s frenectomy, their mouth will be numb to ensure they don’t feel any discomfort. Typically, the anesthetic will wear off a few hours after the procedure and your little one may be a bit fussy for the next several days as they heal. If your baby is old enough to take an infant pain reliever, you can do so according to the directions. If they’re too young for liquid pain relievers, you can comfort them with skin-to-skin contact, smaller and more frequent feedings, and plenty of cuddling. Your pediatric dentist can provide personalized recommendations for you as well.
Feeding Your Baby
In most cases, a baby can breastfeed or drink formula almost immediately after their frenectomy. Breastmilk and formula contain beneficial antibodies and nutrients that can help your little one throughout the healing process. Keep in mind that they may need shorter feedings initially. For older children, don’t give them hot or spicy foods for several days afterwards, since these could irritate the surgical site. Similarly, make sure they limit or avoid crunchy foods until the site has entirely healed.
Frenectomies are a quick and easy way to help your little one regain full lip and tongue mobility, which will dramatically improve their life. These simple but important tips can help your baby recover from their treatment quickly and start to thrive!
About the Practice
At Simply Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics, we’re committed to helping the young smiles of Nashua, Pelham, and the surrounding communities stay healthy from the start. We’re proud to offer laser frenectomies with state-of-the-art technology like the Solea laser to provide quick, comfortable, and effective results. Our compassionate, talented team will be with you every step of the way, from initial consultation to post-op care, to answer any of your questions and ensure the entire process goes smoothly. More post-op care instructions for laser frenectomies can be found on our website, or feel free to call us at (603) 880-5002.