What to Expect During a Tongue or Lip Tie Treatment

Expert care from the Florida Tongue Tie & Pediatric Airway Center

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Gentle, precise CO2 laser treatment with comprehensive aftercare support

At the Florida Tongue Tie & Pediatric Airway Center, we know that having your child undergo any procedure can feel overwhelming. That's why we've designed our treatment process to be as gentle, efficient, and supportive as possible.

From the moment you arrive for your appointment to your final follow-up visit, we're here to guide you through every step. Our CO2 laser procedure takes just minutes, but our commitment to your child's outcome lasts through the entire healing process. Here's what you can expect.

Why CO2 Laser Technology?

We chose the CO2 laser because it gives the best outcomes for our patients. It's gentler on babies and children, heals faster, and provides the kind of precision that leads to lasting results. We've performed thousands of procedures with this technology, and we've seen firsthand how much of a difference it makes in both the immediate experience and long-term function.

When you're trusting us with your child's care, we want to use the absolute best tools available. That's why we invested in CO2 laser technology, and it's why we continue to refine our technique with every procedure.

Why we use co2 laser technology

✔️ Precise targeting
✔️ Minimal bleeding
✔️ Faster healing
✔️ Less discomfort
✔️ Lower risk

why we don’t use other methods

✖️ Less precision
✖️ More bleeding
✖️ Slower healing time
✖️ More painful
✖️ Higher risk of infection

Before the procedure: how to prepare

We want you to feel ready and confident when you arrive. Here's what to know before your appointment.

Preparing Your Child

For infants (0-12 months):
Your baby won't need any special preparation. Just bring them in as you normally would. If possible, try to time the appointment so your baby isn't overly tired or hungry when you arrive but also not very full from overfeeding prior. Bringing their favorite comfort item can help.

For toddlers (1-3 years):
Keep it simple. You can tell them they're going to see a special doctor who will help their tongue work better. Avoid using words like "cut" or "hurt." Focus on the positive outcome: eating better, talking clearer, feeling better.

For older children (4+ years):
Be honest but reassuring. Explain that the doctor will use a special light to help their tongue move the way it should. Let them know it will be quick, and we'll make sure they're comfortable. Answer their questions calmly.

The Procedure: What Actually Happens

The tongue tie release itself is quick. Most procedures take between 1 and 5 minutes. Here's what happens from start to finish.

Step 1: Getting Comfortable

For infants, we'll have you or one of our team members hold your baby in a secure position. This is more about keeping them still than restraint. Babies usually cry during this part, but it's typically because they don't like being held still, not because they're in pain.

For older children, we'll have them sit in the chair and explain what's happening in a calm, reassuring way. Some kids do great, others need a little more comfort. We adapt to what your child needs.

Step 2: The Release

We use the CO2 laser to carefully release the restrictive tissue. The laser works in seconds. There's minimal bleeding because the laser cauterizes as it goes. You might see a small white or yellowish area where the tissue was released. This is completely normal and part of the healing process.

Step 3: Immediate Aftercare

Right after the release, we'll show you what the site looks like and walk you through the stretches you'll need to do at home. These exercises are critical to prevent relapse, so we make sure you're comfortable doing them before you leave.

For infants, you can nurse or bottle-feed immediately. In fact, we encourage it. It's comforting for your baby and helps them start using their tongue in the new range of motion right away.

Red Light (PBM) Therapy: Included With Every Procedure
Before and after the release, we apply red light therapy directly to the treatment site. Photobiomodulation (PBM) stimulates cellular healing, reduces inflammation, and decreases discomfort. It takes about seconds and your child won't feel a thing. We include it as standard because when something works this well, it shouldn't be optional.

Recovery & Feeding After The Release

Here's what to expect as your child heals, and how to handle feeding during recovery.

The First 24-48 Hours

The release site will look white, yellow, or slightly raw. This is normal. You might see a small amount of bleeding, but it should be minimal. Your baby might be fussier than usual, especially during stretches, but most babies settle quickly after feeding.

For pain management, you can give what is directed by us or your pediatrician. Some babies don't need it, but it's available if your child seems uncomfortable.

Feeding After the Release

For breastfed babies: You can nurse immediately after the procedure. In fact, we encourage it. Your baby might latch differently at first as they figure out their new range of motion. This can take a few days to a week. Be patient. If you're struggling, reach out to a lactation consultant. We can recommend someone who understands tongue ties.

For bottle-fed babies: Same idea. Offer a bottle right away. You might notice they drink faster or more efficiently. Some babies take to it immediately, others need a little time to adjust.

For toddlers and older children eating solids: They can eat normally right after the procedure. You might notice them chewing differently or trying new foods they avoided before. Let them explore at their own pace.

Week 1

The release site starts to heal. It may look like it's closing up, which is why the stretches are so critical during this time. Keep up with the exercises even if your baby protests. You should start noticing some improvements in feeding, tongue movement, or other symptoms, though results vary.

Weeks 2-4

Healing continues. The site fills in and starts to look more normal. We reduce the frequency of stretches (as directed). Functional improvements become more noticeable. Latching gets easier, speech sounds clearer and sleep often improves.

Post-Procedure Exercises: The Key to Success

This is the most important part of the entire treatment process. Read this section carefully.

Why Exercises Are Absolutely Essential

The tongue tie release creates an open wound where the restrictive tissue used to be. As that wound heals, your body wants to close it back up. If you don't do the stretches we teach you, the tissue can reattach, and you'll be right back where you started.

Think of it like this: if you broke your arm and got a cast, you'd need physical therapy afterward to regain full range of motion. The release is the cast removal. The exercises are the physical therapy.

We can't stress this enough: the stretches are not optional. They're the difference between a successful outcome and having to redo the procedure. At our follow ups we will make any necessary modifications to the wound care routine.

How to do the stretches

Before you leave our office, we'll show you exactly how to do the stretches for your child's specific release. We'll also provide written instructions and video demonstrations you can reference at home.

Tips for Success

Be accurate but quick. Babies won't like the stretches. That's normal. But the more confident and efficient you are, the faster it's over. Hesitating or going too slow usually makes it harder on everyone.

Get comfortable. Find a position that works for you given the recommendations from our team. Do whatever gives you the best access and control.

Tag team if possible. If you have a partner, one person can hold the baby while the other does the stretch. It usually is easier than the one person method.

It gets easier. The first few days are the hardest. By the end of week one, you'll be a pro, and your baby will get more adapted to the routine.

Commonly asked questions about our laser tongue and lip tie removal

Click on your child's age below to see common signs & symptoms. If you're noticing several of these signs, your child may need an assessment.

Does tongue tie release hurt my baby?

This is one of the most common questions we hear at the Florida Tongue Tie & Pediatric Airway Center. The short answer: the procedure itself causes minimal discomfort. Our CO2 laser release takes just seconds, and most babies cry more from being held still than from the actual procedure. The laser cauterizes as it releases the tissue, which means there's very little pain during or after. Many babies calm down immediately and can nurse or take a bottle right away. We use comfort measures throughout, and our team in Boca Raton has performed thousands of these procedures with excellent outcomes. If your baby seems uncomfortable afterward, infant Tylenol or Ibuprofen (as directed by your pediatrician) is usually enough.

How long does a laser tongue tie procedure take?

The actual laser release takes between 2 and 5 minutes at our Boca Raton office. Most of your appointment time is spent on the assessment, answering your questions, and teaching you the post-procedure stretches. The procedure itself is incredibly quick. We use a CO2 laser, which is precise and efficient, so we can release the restrictive tissue in seconds. Parents are often surprised by how fast it is. The Florida Tongue Tie & Pediatric Airway Center prioritizes both speed and precision to minimize stress for babies and parents alike.

Can parents stay in the room during the tongue tie release?

Absolutely. At the Florida Tongue Tie & Pediatric Airway Center, we encourage parents to be present. For infants, you'll likely be holding your baby during the procedure, so you'll be right there the entire time. For older children, you're welcome to stay in the room if it helps them feel more comfortable. Some parents prefer to step out, and that's okay too. We follow your lead. Our Boca Raton team understands that this can feel nerve-wracking for parents, so we make sure you're informed, comfortable, and supported throughout the process.

When will I see improvement?

This varies depending on what symptoms you're addressing. Some improvements happen immediately. For example, many parents notice better latching or easier feeding within the first 24-48 hours after the release but for many it can take weeks. Other improvements, like speech clarity or reduced snoring, can take a few weeks as your child builds new habits with their improved tongue mobility. The key is doing the post-procedure stretches we teach you. Those exercises prevent reattachment and ensure your child gets the full benefit of the release. At the Florida Tongue Tie & Pediatric Airway Center in Boca Raton, we schedule follow-up appointments to monitor progress and make sure you're seeing the results you came in for. If you're not noticing improvement, we'll troubleshoot with you and connect you with supporting specialists like lactation consultants or speech therapists in the South Florida area.

The Florida Tongue Tie & Pediatric Airway Center is part of Kids United Pediatric Dentistry.

Serving families across Palm Beach, Broward, and South Florida.

Boca Raton, FL
8903 Glades Road
Suite D-4
Boca Raton, FL 33434
561.483.9334