Reading time: five minutes.
If you or your child just had a frenectomy—whether it’s a lingual frenectomy (for tongue-tie) or labial frenectomy (for lip-tie), the healing process is now your main concern. What you eat in the hours and days after surgery can significantly impact your recovery.
In this blog, we’ll talk about safe foods to eat after a frenectomy and why they are important for your healing process.
Table of Contents
- What is a Frenectomy?
- Your Diet Matters
- Safe Foods to Eat After a Frenectomy
- Tips for Eating After a Frenectomy
- When to Contact Your Surgeon
- FAQs About Frenectomy
- Foley & Le Oral Surgery: Your Oral Surgeons in Boulder, CO
Choose soft and cold foods like mashed potatoes, yogurt, or ice cream for a smooth recovery after a frenectomy. Avoid crunchy, spicy, and acidic foods to prevent irritation and support proper healing.
What is a Frenectomy?
A frenectomy is a minor surgical procedure that involves cutting or releasing a small strip of connective tissue (called a frenulum) that connects your tongue or lip to the floor of your mouth or gums, respectively. This procedure is often performed to correct tongue-tie or lip-tie, which can affect speech, breastfeeding, and eating.
Your Diet Matters
The soft tissue in your mouth is delicate after a frenectomy. The surgical sites need time to heal, and the last thing you want to do is disturb those areas by eating something that could cause discomfort or, worse, disrupt the healing process.
Consuming the right foods can help prevent issues like excessive bleeding, prolonged pain, and even complications like dislodging blood clots or developing a white scab that doesn’t heal properly.
Safe Foods to Eat After a Frenectomy
Right after your frenectomy, you’ll want to stick to soft foods that are easy on the mouth. Here’s a list to help you out:
- Mashed potatoes: Comforting, filling, and easy to eat.
- Yogurt: Smooth and cool, offering a soothing effect on surgical sites.
- Egg salad: Soft and protein-rich, perfect for a light meal.
- Ice cream: A sweet treat that can help with swelling.
- Split pea soup: Warm but not hot, easy to swallow, and packed with nutrients.
- Soft fruits: Bananas or avocados—both are gentle on the mouth and nutritious.
- Cold beverages: Stick to non-acidic, non-caffeinated options like cold water or mild herbal teas.
- Ice cubes: Suck on them gently to keep the area cool and reduce discomfort.
Foods to Avoid
Just as there are foods that can help you heal, there are others that can cause trouble. Steer clear of these for a smooth recovery:
- Crunchy foods: Potato chips, nuts, and crackers can irritate the surgical site.
- Chewy foods: Anything that requires significant chewing could disrupt the healing tissue.
- Spicy foods: These can cause irritation and discomfort.
- Hot foods and beverages: Wait until your food or drinks are warm, as very hot items can increase swelling and pain.
- Citrus juices: These can sting the sensitive areas and slow down the healing process.
- Tomato-based products: Avoid these until you’re fully healed to prevent irritation.
- Salty snacks: Salty foods can irritate your mouth and delay healing.
Tips for Eating After a Frenectomy
To make eating easier and safer after your frenectomy, keep these tips in mind:
- Chew carefully: Try to chew away from the surgical site.
- Take small bites: Avoid putting too much food in your mouth at once.
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water, but avoid vigorous rinsing that might disturb the surgical site.
- Use ice packs: Apply them externally to reduce swelling, especially in the first 24 hours after surgery.
- Avoid strenuous activity: Physical activity can increase bleeding and discomfort, so take it easy for a few days.
When to Contact Your Surgeon
Some discomfort is normal after a frenectomy, but there are certain signs you should watch for:
- Excessive bleeding: A small amount of bleeding is normal, but if it’s persistent, contact your surgeon.
- Prolonged pain: If your prescribed pain medication isn’t helping after a few days, give your surgeon a call.
- Bad breath or unusual odor: This could indicate an infection, so don’t hesitate to seek advice.
- Excessive swelling: Some swelling is expected, but if it seems to be getting worse instead of better, it’s time to check in.
FAQs About Frenectomy
Most individuals can gradually resume a normal diet within a week or two after the procedure. Always listen to your body and consult your surgeon if you have any concerns about introducing solid foods too early.
A frenectomy is not painful when performed using local anesthesia. Post-operative discomfort is common and can be managed with prescribed pain medication or over-the-counter pain relievers. Most people report a mild to moderate level of discomfort.
It’s best to avoid coffee for the first few days following your frenectomy. Hot beverages like coffee can aggravate the surgical site and potentially increase swelling. Once you feel comfortable and have started to heal, you can reintroduce coffee, but ensure it is at a lukewarm temperature or iced to prevent irritation.
Foley & Le Oral Surgery: Your Oral Surgeons in Boulder, CO
Remember, what you eat matters, so make sure to follow the recommended safe foods after your frenectomy for optimal healing.
Our team at Foley & Le Oral Surgery is dedicated to providing high-quality frenectomy procedures with personalized care for each patient. If you or your child needs a frenectomy, contact us for a consultation.
Our experienced oral surgeons, Dr. Benjamin Foley and Dr. Thao Le will guide you through the entire process and provide you with post-operative instructions to help promote a smooth recovery.
If you are searching for the best ‘oral surgeon near me’ or ‘frenectomy in Boulder, CO’ we can help! Call (303) 444-2255 to book an appointment or complete the online inquiry form.
