Postoperative Care Following Frenectomy

While the frenectomy procedure at Healthy Kids Nurtured by Nature is relatively brief, the aftercare process is important for healing and positive outcomes. Our North Mackay team will provide you with guidance following your procedure.

Frenectomy procedures are provided by Dr Hany Aziz (DEN0000989492), Registered Dentist.

As with any surgical procedure, there are risks involved. Results and healing times vary between patients.

The body naturally wants to heal wounds by bringing the edges together—a process called primary intention healing. However, with a frenectomy, this natural healing process could cause the tissue to reattach in a restrictive manner, which may affect the outcome of the procedure.

Instead, we aim for “secondary intention healing,” which encourages the wound to heal from the outside inward. This approach helps reduce the risk of reattachment and supports the formation of new tissue in the treated area.

Stretching Exercises

To support proper healing and reduce the risk of reattachment, parents and caregivers will need to perform specific stretching exercises several times daily until the area is healed:

• Stretching of the treated area as demonstrated
• Rubbing motions to stimulate the healing tissue
• Light pressure on and around the wound site

Our team will provide demonstrations of these techniques before you leave our office, and we offer support videos for reference at home.

These exercises may cause discomfort—and your baby may cry during the stretches—but they are important for reducing the risk of reattachment and supporting positive outcomes. We understand this can be difficult for parents.

Breastfeeding Following Treatment

We encourage mothers to breastfeed after the procedure. This natural action:

• Provides comfort to your baby
• Helps establish new movement patterns
• Begins the functional retraining process
• Stimulates the treated area during feeding

While breastfeeding is beneficial for healing, feeding alone does not provide sufficient stretching to reduce the risk of reattachment. The manual exercises should be performed as directed.

Additional Therapies

Your treatment plan may include additional recommendations:

• Exercises from your lactation consultant
• Bodywork techniques from a paediatric chiropractor
• Specific positioning strategies during feeding

These complementary approaches address different aspects of oral function and work alongside the stretching exercises to support outcomes. Results vary between patients.

Older patients will follow a different aftercare protocol:

Managing Discomfort

• Some tenderness is normal and expected
• Cool foods and icy treats can provide soothing relief
• Over-the-counter pain relief may be recommended for older children and adults
• Warm salt water rinses (after the first 24 hours) may help soothe and support healing

Oral Myofunctional Therapy

For positive outcomes, we typically recommend a course of orofacial myology (also known as myofunctional therapy) for older patients. This therapy:

• Retrains the tongue, lips, and jaw muscles
• Establishes new movement patterns
• Addresses functional irregularities
• Supports the outcomes of the frenectomy procedure

Our oral myofunctional therapist will guide you through specific exercises designed for your needs. Continuing these exercises as directed is important for positive outcomes.

Our commitment to your care extends beyond the procedure day:

• Next-Day Call: Our team will contact you the day after your procedure to check on your progress and address any immediate concerns
• Six-Week Follow-Up: We’ll check in again at six weeks to assess healing and function
• Six-Month Review: An evaluation will be performed to monitor long-term results

Please contact our North Mackay office at (07) 3062 7662 if you experience:

• Excessive bleeding that doesn’t stop
• Signs of infection (increased swelling, redness, or warmth)
• Fever
• Severe pain not relieved by recommended pain management
• Difficulty swallowing or breathing
• Any other concerns about the healing process

Our team is here to support you throughout your recovery. Please reach out with questions or concerns—we’re here to help with your healing.

Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.