If your child has just had a frenectomy to correct their tongue tie or lip tie, you may be wondering when and what they can eat after this procedure.
Good news! Your child can eat right after their lip tie or tongue tie surgery as it only involves a little numbing cream and a precise incision with a laser to correct. There is little to no bleeding after a frenectomy whether it’s for a lip tie or tongue tie revision, but your kiddo’s mouth may be a little sore for about 24 hours as the frenum (connective tissue) heals. As to what they can eat, there’s a few types of foods that can help with frenectomy healing and are easy for your child to chew.
Please keep in mind that you should opt for age-appropriate foods from our post-op recommendations as infants and children can undergo this procedure.
Let’s check them out!
1. Soft foods
Like after any oral surgery or dental treatment, it’s important to stick to soft foods that are easy to chew and swallow. Here’s a few soft foods to eat after frenectomy: mashed potatoes, yogurt, oatmeal, scrambled eggs, and cooked vegetables are great for kids to get the nutrition they need for a speedy recovery without causing them further discomfort.
If your baby is on solid food, you can opt for these foods or substitute purees of fruits or vegetables.
2. Cold treats
Anything cold after a frenectomy can help reduce swelling and bring your kiddo some relief! Things like cold applesauce, smoothies, yogurt or fruit popsicles, or ice cream can go a long way in helping them recover.
Frozen breastmilk or formula pops can help soothe discomfort for babies who aren’t old enough for water or solid food. Older babies can also enjoy frozen fruits or yogurt in a mesh feeder to get some cool comfort.
3. Hydrating beverages
While this one isn’t a food option, it’s still just as important as eating after a frenectomy! Keeping your child hydrated will keep their recovery on a speedy track by keeping them hydrated and the surgical site free of food debris. Essential drinks such as water, breastmilk or formula, and apple juice can be great choices! Be sure to avoid carbonated beverages like soda or acidic beverages like orange juice for a few days as these can irritate their healing frenum.
4. Avoid hard, crunchy, or spicy foods
For the first few days following your child’s frenectomy, help them avoid any hard, crunchy or spicy foods. These can irritate or hinder their frenum healing and increase their risk of infection. Foods such as popcorn, chips, nuts, raw vegetables, or any food that’s spicy should be off the table until they’re fully recovered.
5. Practice good oral hygiene
Another non-food item that’s also just as important! Making sure your child brushes their teeth twice a day and flosses once helps keep harmful bacteria from infecting the frenum or surgical site. Older kiddos with a sore mouth can do saltwater rinses to help encourage healing.
With babies, you can gently wipe their gums with a clean, damp cloth to keep their gums clean and free of bacteria.
What does a frenectomy infection look like?
Because a frenectomy is a surgical procedure there is some discomfort and swelling involved. Especially with the stretches that come after a tongue tie revision as the muscles in their mouth need to develop muscle memory now that they have full function of their tongue. During the first few days, it’s important to do these stretches and watch for any signs of infection, such as increased pain, redness, or swelling. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us if you notice any of these symptoms or have further questions about their frenectomy healing.
Still have questions about what to eat after a frenectomy?
If you suspect your child may have tongue tie or lip tie, talk to your child’s pediatrician for a quick expert evaluation.
Looking for a top pediatric dentist in Tampa Bay? Kids Smiles Pediatric Dentistry has been Tampa’s preferred pediatric dentistry for over 20 years. Our team has performed countless frenectomies on infants and young children with minimal discomfort.
Schedule an appointment with our pediatric dentists in South Tampa, North Tampa, Town ‘n’ Country or East Bradenton today.
