Tots Pre and Post Care

TOTs (Tethered Oral Tissues)

We provide care for patients of all ages, from infants to older children and adults, who have tongue-ties and other tethered oral tissues. Our approach includes both pre- and post-operative care to ensure optimal outcomes.

Pre-Op Care

We use a readiness-for-release protocol that:

• Prepares the oral musculature for improved function and motor memory after the release

• Identifies compensations

• Promotes proper breathing and tongue posture

• Enhances range of motion and mobility through exercises and stretches

• Provides education to promote optimal healing

Post-Op Care

• Stretches and exercises promote optimal healing and prevent restrictive healing

• Exercises increase oral function for proper oral rest posture for airway health

• Ongoing therapy improves oral function related to chewing and the oral phase of swallowing by reducing compensations

• Promotes long-term oral and facial development

  
  

Parent/Caregiver Education and Aftercare

Therapy is designed for parent/caregiver education and aftercare for babies and young children before and after the release of a tongue-tie and/or lip-tie. Post-procedure stretches are key to getting an optimal result after release; however, the mouth heals so quickly that it may prematurely reattach at either the tongue site or the lip site. We are here to help with this process.

Treatment begins with a home visit from a licensed speech-language pathologist, who will answer any questions you may have about the process and teach evidence-based exercises to prevent reattachment and limit discomfort.

Additional Notes:

• Healing can occur anytime from a few days to a few weeks. Aftercare should be carried out for at least two weeks and at minimum 5-6 times per day.

• Tongue mobility may initially seem inhibited between weeks 1-3 after the procedure.

• An increase in tongue mobility is most noticeable between 2-6 months post-op.

• Wound contraction begins between days 5-10 and can last up to 2 months.

• Continue with orofacial myofunctional therapy up to 6 weeks or as deemed necessary by your therapist to reinforce new movement patterns.