A Simple Guide for After a Lingual Frenectomy (Tongue-Tie)

Q: Why are these exercises so important?

This is the most important part of your therapy. The surgery releases the tongue, but your brain and muscles are still used to the old, restricted movement. These exercises retrain your muscles, restore proper function for speaking and swallowing, and are the single best way to prevent the tissue from healing back too tightly (reattachment).

Q: Should the exercises be painful?

No. These are gentle functional exercises, not forceful stretches of the wound. You may feel some mild pulling or muscle fatigue, but you should never push to the point of sharp pain. The goal is consistent, comfortable repetition.

Q: When will my tongue feel normal again?

Your tongue will feel sore and a little clumsy for the first few days. As you continue your exercises, you will notice a significant improvement in its movement and coordination over the next several weeks.

Surgical Care Instructions

Pain Management

It’s normal for the area under your tongue to feel sore, like a pizza burn.

Standard Protocol: For the first 2-3 days, we recommend a scheduled regimen of 600mg of Ibuprofen AND 500mg of Tylenol (Acetaminophen) taken together every 6 hours. Taking the medicine 30 minutes before your stretches can make them more comfortable.
Important Disclaimer: Only take medications as specifically prescribed by our office, considering your unique health history.

Bleeding Control

Seeing a little bit of bleeding under the tongue on the first day is normal. If you notice bleeding, you can press gently on the spot with a clean, wet piece of gauze.

Swelling Management

It is normal for the area under your tongue to get a little puffy. This might make talking and swallowing feel a bit strange for a few days, but it will go away as the swelling goes down.

Oral Hygiene/Site Care

The success of your procedure depends on retraining your tongue to use its new freedom of movement. This is done with simple, gentle exercises, not forceful stretching.

The Healing Site

The White Patch is Normal: After a day or two, you will see a soft, white or yellowish patch under your tongue. This is not an infection. It is a natural healing bandage your body makes.
Do not disturb the healing site. The goal is to let the diamond-shaped area heal while you retrain the tongue’s function.

CRITICAL: Myofunctional Therapy (Tongue Exercises)

These gentle exercises are the key to a successful result. They prevent the tissue from scarring down tightly and teach your tongue how to move properly. Once the initial soreness subsides (usually in a few days), you should begin this routine.

Perform these exercises 2 to 3 times every day for at least 4-8 weeks.

Tongue Lifts: Lift the very tip of your tongue up to touch the bumpy spot on the roof of your mouth, just behind your top front teeth. Hold for 5 seconds. Repeat 10 times.
Tongue Protrusion: Gently stick your tongue straight out as far as you comfortably can. Hold for 5 seconds. Repeat 10 times.
Side-to-Side: Slowly move the tip of your tongue to touch the right corner of your mouth, then the left corner. Repeat 10 times to each side.
Tongue Circles: Slowly trace a big circle around the outside of your lips with the tip of your tongue. Do this 10 times clockwise, then 10 times counter-clockwise.
Palate Suction: Press your tongue flat against the entire roof of your mouth, creating a suction, then make a “clucking” sound. Repeat 10 times.