Post Operative Instructions

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• Avoid chewing anything until numbness wears off (if applicable)
• Drinks are fine immediately, but we recommend avoiding very hot drinks
• Gentle brushing and flossing may be resumed this evening
• When eating, try to stick with soft foods for today
• Over the next few days, we recommend avoiding anything that may irritate the tooth or surrounding tissue (eg: chips, very hard things, spicy or acidic things)
• OTC pain meds (Tylenol, Advil) can be given if necessary, dosed by weight

• Leave gauze in place until bleeding has stopped (or is very minimal)
• Avoid eating anything until numbness wears off
• Drinks are fine immediately, but we recommend avoiding very hot drinks while the area is still numb
• For bleeding concerns, place a damp tea bag onto the area with light pressure for 4 minutes
• Avoid using a straw for the next 1-2 days
• Gentle brushing and flossing may be resumed this evening
• When eating, try to stick with soft foods for the next few days
• Over the next few days, we recommend avoiding anything that may irritate the tooth or surrounding tissue (eg: chips, very hard things, spicy or acidic things)
• OTC pain meds (Tylenol, Advil) can be given if necessary over the next few days, dosed by weight

• Follow post operative instructions for extraction (if applicable)
• After eating anything in the first few days, rinse with water to avoid anything becoming trapped around the appliance
• When brushing, angle toothbrush along gumline to keep appliance clean
• When flossing, floss where the loop of the spacer rests (you will not be able to floss on the side of the spacer where the band is)
• If space maintainer becomes dislodged, contact us for replacement
• If you see the new tooth coming in below the space maintainer (usually years after extraction and space maintainer placement), contact us for appointment

TONGUE-TIE RELEASE

• Day after procedure: With a clean or gloved finger, push down behind the teeth in the floor of the mouth, and swipe/push into and up the tongue (on the diamond), lifting the tongue at the top of the diamond in the middle of the tongue. Your goal is to see the whole diamond open up and lengthen. It may bleed slightly when it is stretched or re-opened. This is not a concern. Try to make a game of it if possible and keep it playful, or bribery can work too .  
• Repeat this 2-3 times a day for 3 weeks. Quality stretches are the key.
• Encourage the child to move the tongue as much as possible by sticking it out and holding for 10 sec, out to the left, right, open wide and lift up and paint the roof, make clicking noises, and clean off the teeth. Do these exercises as often as possible, but aim for 3 times a day or as directed by your therapist. 

LIP TIE RELEASE

• Day after procedure: Pull the lip up as high as possible, high enough to press against the nose.  You want to see the whole white diamond open up. Press gently but firmly right on the wound to massage it and keep the diamond open. It may bleed slightly when this is done, but this is not a concern. Try to make a game of it, and keep it playful, or bribery can work too .
• Repeat 3 times a day for 3 weeks. 

The released area will form a wet scab after the first day. It will appear white or yellow and soft because it is wet (not infected). This area is what you will be pressing against. The healing will be happening under the scab, just like a scrape anywhere else on your body. The white area will get smaller each day, but healing is still happening!  So even though the white scab will heal you MUST continue the stretching or the new frenum will not be as long as possible and the surgery may need to be repeated. 

• The child can eat whatever foods he or she can tolerate. 
• Pain relief is needed the first few days. Give Motrin (ibuprofen) or Tylenol as directed on the package based on weight.  
• If the lip-tie was released, the child’s lip may swell up slightly that evening or the next day. It is normal and will go down after a day or two. The wound will be sore for a few days, at one week look much better, and at two weeks look almost normal.  
• A slight fever is normal the first day. 
• The patient should eat and sleep normally. 
• If you’re concerned that the tissue growing back together, come back for a visit or text us a picture. 
• Treatment with a myofunctional therapist and bodyworker (Chiropractor, CST) is recommended for full rehabilitation.