If your child seems to be having trouble breastfeeding, they might need a frenectomy, or tongue-tie treatment. This simple procedure removes a small piece of tissue under their tongue that hinders movement, making it possible for them to eat, breathe and speak properly.
At our Dunedin dental clinic, we perform comfortable, gentle tongue-tie procedures with our soft tissue laser. And because our dental laser cauterises the area as it removes the restrictive tissue, there will be minimal bleeding.
Understanding the 'Diamond' Site
After a tongue-tie release surgery, there could be a diamond-shaped wound under your child’s tongue. This is perfectly normal.
What You'll See Underneath the Tongue
The diamond-shaped area under your child’s tongue will take about two weeks to heal, and the area often looks white or yellow during that time.
Normal vs. Concerning Signs
Although rare, KidsHealth New Zealand states that your child could experience minor bleeding after their frenectomy; if this happens, apply gentle pressure and contact our clinic for next steps.
It is normal for their saliva to be pinkish for a time after their procedure, but if you have any concerns, please feel free to reach out to us.
The Stretching Routine That Prevents Reattachment
After your child’s frenectomy procedure, performing tongue-stretching exercises is essential. The goal of these frenectomy stretches for babies is to strengthen their tongue muscle, improving their range of motion and coordination and decreasing the amount of scar tissue or the chances of tissue reattachment.
Here are the steps you should follow every four to six hours:
- Elongate — Place your index fingers under the base of your child’s tongue and push slightly back. Then, lift their tongue as high as possible.
- Hold — Hold this stretch for up to 3 seconds; this will flex the diamond-shaped wound.
- Sweep — To increase flexibility, run your finger under their tongue from side to side.
Tongue Tie Aftercare in Dunedin, Otego
To learn more about caring for your child’s mouth after a tongue tie procedure, our caring dental team will happily assist you! At Bell Hill Dental, we’re committed to giving you all the support you need, so please don’t hesitate to contact us with questions or concerns.
You can call us on 03-477 8387 to arrange a visit or ask a question.