Why Are Oral Exercises Important After a Frenectomy?

Experienced Nurse Practitioner getting ready to perform infant laser frenectomy for tongue tie.

Laser frenectomy is a safe and effective way to release tongue and lip ties in infants, helping improve feeding, reduce discomfort, and support optimal oral function. At Pacific Wellness & Lactation, our expert team provides same-day evaluations and procedures using a CO₂ laser—designed for precision, safety, and a smooth recovery process.

But treatment doesn’t stop with the release. After a laser frenectomy, gentle infant oral exercises play a vital role in helping your baby heal properly and develop strong, coordinated oral motor skills.

Why Are Oral Exercises Important After a Frenectomy?

After the restriction is released, the tissue needs guidance to heal in a way that supports optimal mobility—not tightness or reattachment. Oral exercises help:

• Encourage proper tongue and lip movement

• Prevent reattachment or tight wound healing of the frenulum

• Improve feeding function over time

• Build strength and coordination in oral muscles

Our Approach: A Blend of the Evidence and Science based oral motor exercises.

At our clinic, we use a gentle, developmentally appropriate approach to oral exercises by blending techniques from two evidence-based systems:

The Beckman Oral Motor Protocol

The Beckman Protocol focuses on improving the range, strength, and control of movement in the lips, cheeks, tongue, and jaw. It's gentle, specific, and guided by the baby’s responses—making it ideal for post-frenectomy care.

PIOMI (Premature Infant Oral Motor Intervention)

Originally developed for preterm infants, PIOMI is a short, structured oral therapy designed to enhance feeding skills in medically fragile babies. Its gentle strokes and movements help promote a more coordinated suck and better feeding outcomes.

By combining these approaches, we ensure that the exercises we recommend are safe, developmentally appropriate, and customized to each baby’s unique needs.

What to Expect

Your lactation consultant or oral function specialist will:

• Teach you how to perform each exercise gently and effectively

• Help you understand your baby’s cues and comfort levels

• Guide you in incorporating exercises into your daily routine with ease

• Monitor your baby’s progress during follow-up visits

We emphasize connection over correction—making these exercises an opportunity for bonding and support, not stress.

Support Every Step of the Way

Healing from a frenectomy is a process, and we’re with you through it all. From expert assessment to aftercare and feeding support, Pacific Wellness & Lactation is committed to helping your baby thrive.

Laser frenectomy is just the beginning. With the right tools and gentle guidance, your baby can develop the strength and coordination needed for feeding success—one step (and one snuggle) at a time.

References:

Hadiseh Ghomi, Fariba Yadegari, Farin Soleimani, Brenda Lessen Knoll, Mahdi Noroozi and Ali Mazouri (2019) The effects of premature infant oral motor intervention (PIOMI) on oral feeding of preterm infants: A randomized clinical trial. International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology, 2019-05-01, Volume 120, Pages 202-209

Smart, S., Grant, H., & Tseng, R. J. (2025). Beyond surgery: Pre‑ and post‑operative care in children with ankyloglossia. International Journal of Paediatric Dentistry, 35(2), 318–338.