A frenectomy—whether for infants, children, teens, or adults—releases restrictive oral tissue (tongue-tie or lip-tie) to restore mobility and improve feeding, swallowing, speech clarity, and airway function. But the procedure alone is not the solution. Success depends on structured aftercare: wound management, mobility work, and gradual retraining of speech, swallow, and oral rest posture.

This guide walks through what to expect week by week, how to perform mobility and functional exercises safely, and when to involve myofunctional therapy or speech therapy.

Week-By-Week: What Recovery Actually Looks Like

Week 0–1: Immediate Healing + Gentle Mobility

Focus:

• Keeping the wound open (prevent re-attachment)
  
• Managing soreness
  
• Initiating light tongue mobility

Typical focus areas:

• Light tongue elevation
  
• Early palatal contact
  
• Gentle wound stretches (if directed by provider)
  
• Lip closure awareness (if lip-tie release)
  
• Nasal breathing during rest

Expect:

• Tenderness
  
• Mild swelling
  
• Temporary changes in swallowing or speech clarity
  These are normal parts of the healing process.

Week 2–3: Building Range of Motion + Early Function

Focus:

• Increased elevation
  
• Improved lateralization
  
• Tongue-palate control
  
• Beginning functional movements

Common work during this phase:

• Full tongue-to-palate suction holds
  
• Basic myofunctional therapy exercises
  
• Early swallow retraining
  
• Lip seal practice
  
• Jaw stability drills

Children may require shorter, play-based versions; adults progress with more precision.

Week 4–6: Strengthening + Functional Integration

Focus:

• True strength gains
  
• Habit retraining
  
• Improved speech sounds
  
• Efficient swallowing patterns

This stage includes:

• Posterior tongue strengthening
  
• Correct swallowing mechanics
  
• Nasal breathing habit formation
  
• Eliminating mouth breathing
  
• Speech target practice (s, l, r, t, d sounds when needed)

Patients often begin noticing clearer speech, easier nasal breathing, reduced snoring, and more efficient chewing/swallowing.

Week 6–12: Long-Term Stability

Focus:

• Habit formation
  
• Functional independence
  
• Preventing compensation patterns

This period is where long-term outcomes solidify.
Goals include:

• Automatic tongue-on-palate rest posture
  
• Consistent nasal breathing
  
• Mature swallowing pattern
  
• Stable lip seal
  
• Improved airway function during sleep

Mobility Work: What to Do and How to Do It Safely

Mobility work keeps the surgical site flexible and prevents re-attachment while restoring full motion. Always follow your provider’s specific protocol.

Core Elements of Mobility Work

1. Tongue Elevation:
   • Lift the entire tongue (including the posterior third) to the palate.
     
   • Hold 3–5 seconds, repeat several times.
     
2. Tongue Lateralization:
   • Move tongue tip side to side with jaw stable.
     
   • Prevent jaw sliding—tongue works independently.
     
3. Protrusion Control:
   • Gently extend tongue outward, then retract.
     
   • Avoid “scooping” or curling downward.
     
4. Wound Site Stretches (If Instructed):
   • Gentle lifting of tissue to prevent re-attachment.
     
   • Typically done with clean fingers or medical tools.

What Mobility Work Should Not Include

• Forcing the tongue into painful positions
  
• Aggressive stretching
  
• Long durations that cause bleeding
  
• Repetitive exercises that cause jaw clicking or TMJ discomfort

Speech and Swallow Retraining

Releasing the tie provides movement—but that movement must be retrained.

Speech Retraining

Speech-language therapy may focus on:

• Precise placement for /l/, /t/, /d/, /n/
  
• Improving mid-tongue elevation
  
• R-sound stability (as needed)
  
• Reducing jaw compensation during speech
  
• Strengthening coordination for rapid sequencing

Many patients with long-standing tongue-tie have developed compensatory speech habits that persist without targeted therapy.

Learn more:
/services/speech-therapy

Swallow Retraining

Because tongue-tie affects oral dysphagia, many patients require a structured approach to swallowing after release.

Key elements include:

• Proper tongue-palate contact before swallowing
  
• Elimination of tongue thrust
  
• Reduced facial compensation (cheeks, lips, jaw)
  
• Improved bolus control
  
• Coordinated nasal breathing during swallowing

Myofunctional Therapy Integration

Myofunctional therapy is essential for full functional recovery after a frenectomy. It helps establish:

• Correct tongue posture
  
• Consistent lip seal
  
• Nasal breathing
  
• Efficient swallow
  
• Airway stability
  
• Reduced snoring and mouth breathing at night
  
• Neuromuscular coordination

Learn more about therapy:
/services/myofunctional-therapy

When to Call Your Provider

Contact your provider if you notice:

• Fever or signs of infection
  
• Bleeding that does not stop
  
• White patches spreading beyond normal healing area
  
• Pain that worsens instead of improving
  
• Difficulty swallowing or breathing
  
• Re-attachment concerns (loss of elevation, new tension)
  
• Speech or feeding regression in children

Your clinician may adjust your exercises, change frequency, or coordinate additional speech or myofunctional therapy.

FAQ

Do I need myofunctional therapy?

Yes—most patients benefit significantly. The release only restores mobility. Myofunctional therapy trains posture, strength, breathing, swallowing, and long-term habits to prevent relapse and maximize results.

When should I start exercises?

Mobility exercises usually begin within 24–72 hours depending on your provider’s protocol.
Functional therapy (speech + myo) typically starts before the release and continues for several weeks to months afterward.

Is pain normal?

Mild soreness, tightness, and temporary difficulty with certain movements are normal. Sharp pain, increasing pain, or worsening symptoms are not—contact your provider if they occur.