Preparing for a Tongue Tie Release: A Parent’s Guide to Smooth Recovery

(Why support from a trained speech-language pathologist matters)

If your baby, toddler, older child, or even an adult you know is getting a tongue tie (frenectomy or frenotomy) released, you’ve probably heard about the procedure itself, but what about the before and after?

Working with a specialist, often a speech-language pathologist (SLP) who specializes in oral function can make a huge difference in how well one heals, adapts, and thrives.

Why Support Before the Release Matters

Think of a tongue tie release like upgrading your child’s “tools”, but before they can use the new tool, they need to know how.

Pre-release therapy helps by:

• Getting muscles ready: We teach the tongue, lips, and jaw how to move in ways they may have never moved before.

• Reducing tension  Gentle exercises and bodywork referrals (if needed) can help soften tight muscles, making the release smoother and recovery easier.

• Building feeding skills: For babies, this might mean improving latch or suck-swallow-breathe coordination before the procedure so they can feed more comfortably right after.

• Helping kids feel safe: for toddlers and older children, we make therapy playful so they’re familiar with exercises and less nervous about what’s to come.

The Role of Post-Release Therapy

Once the tie is released, the tongue and surrounding muscles have new freedom. Without guidance, the body might not know what to do with it or old habits might sneak back in.

Post-release therapy focuses on:

• Preventing reattachment: We guide you through gentle stretches or movement exercises recommended by your provider to help keep healing tissues from reattaching.

• Strengthening new movements: Your child learns how to lift, cup, and move the tongue for better speech, swallowing, and oral rest posture.

• Improving feeding and breathing: Babies may transition to more efficient feeding while older kids may chew more effectively and breathe more easily through their nose.

• Supporting speech clarity: For children with speech delays or articulation challenges, we use the tongue’s new mobility to improve sounds like /t/, /d/, /n/, /l/, /r/ and /s/.

Why SLPs Are an Important Part of the Team

SLPs bring a unique blend of knowledge about oral anatomy, muscle function, feeding, and speech. We don’t just focus on the tie, we look at the whole system with a focus on FUNCTION:

• How your child uses their tongue at rest and during activities like eating, talking, or breathing.

• Any compensations your child may have developed (like jaw sliding or cheek puffing) that can be gently learned.

• Collaborating with dentists, ENTs, lactation consultants, bodyworkers, orthodontists, PT and/or OT to give your child the most complete care possible.

Bottom Line

A frenectomy or frenotomy is more than a quick procedure, it’s a journey. Preparing the muscles beforehand and guiding them afterward helps ensure the release isn’t just done, but done well, with lasting benefits for feeding, speech, and comfort.

If you’re considering a tongue tie release for your child (or yourself), think of therapy as the roadmap that helps them make the most of their new skills. With the right support, your child’s tongue isn’t just free, it’s functional.