Caring For Your Frenectomy
Today we released the small band of tissue (the frenum) that was restricting movement of the lip, cheek, or tongue. This improves movement, spacing, or comfort. The area heals over a couple of weeks, and gentle stretching helps it heal open rather than reattaching. Here is how to care for it.
The First Few Days
- Mild soreness and swelling are normal as it heals.
- A white or yellow film may form over the site. This is normal healing tissue, not infection.
- You may have stitches that often dissolve on their own.
The Stretches Matter
- Gentle stretching exercises as we showed you keep the area from reattaching as it heals.
- Do them as directed, usually several times a day. This is the key to a good result.
- Clean hands before doing the stretches.
Eating & Comfort
- Stay ahead of soreness with pain relief on schedule.
- Soft, cool foods the first few days. Cool feels good on the area.
- Warm salt water rinses after meals keep it clean.
- For tender gums, vitamin E can soothe and help healing. Take it over the counter, or break a gel capsule and rub it on the gums. You can also ask us for StellaLife gel.
Call Us If
- Bleeding that is heavy or will not slow with gentle pressure.
- Pain or swelling that worsens after day 3, or a fever.
- The area looks like it is reattaching despite the stretches.
- A bad taste or odor, or anything that concerns you.
How To Get The Best Result
The stretches are what make a frenectomy succeed. Keeping the area moving as it heals is what prevents it from reattaching and undoing the procedure.
- Do your stretching exercises faithfully, as directed, for the full healing period. This is the single most important thing.
- Keep the area clean with gentle brushing nearby and salt water rinses.
- Keep your follow-up visit so we can confirm it is healing open and the result will hold.
Keep up the stretches and you lock in the full benefit of the procedure!
Questions about your frenectomy or the stretches? Call the office anytime. We are here for you!
