What to do if Your Tooth-Extraction Stiches Have Come Out? (3+ Aftercare Tips)

This blogpost will help you understand about the topic “ my stitches came out after tooth extraction” and will also include the following topics :How long do wisdom teeth stitches take to dissolve or fall out?

Do wisdom teeth stitches hurt?

How to take care of wisdom teeth stitches?

Typical aftercare instructions

Foods to avoid following wisdom teeth extraction

Other things to avoid following wisdom teeth extraction

What to do if you notice a stitch poking out

How can you tell if your wisdom teeth stitches have an infection?

How long does it take for wisdom teeth holes to heal completely?

My stitches came out after tooth extraction, what should I do?

Your wisdom teeth stitches must stay in place until the wound heals. You may notice that a loose stitch is coming out or that it has entirely fallen out. You shouldn’t be concerned about your wound unless you see indications of infection or it has opened or is bleeding.

If your loose stitch is causing discomfort to your cheek gums, see your dentist and inform him of your issue. Do not attempt to cut, pull, or remove a loose stitch without first consulting your dentist or oral surgeon.

How long do wisdom teeth stitches take to dissolve or fall out?

Dissolvable stitches are the type of sutures used by oral surgeons during wisdom tooth extractions. The reason for this is because these sutures naturally break down.

Wisdom tooth sutures usually come out within a few weeks, but they might take up to a month to dissolve completely. The removal of wisdom teeth sutures is affected by a number of factors, including:

the material of stitch used

type and size of stitch

the severity of tooth removal surgery

Dentists may not use dissolvable sutures in certain operations. In such a circumstance, they will advise you when you should return for the sutures to be removed.

The stitches that don’t dissolve on their own are called removable stitches, and they are taken out around a week or 1 or 2 days more after the procedure.

Do wisdom teeth stitches hurt?

You may suffer discomfort as a result of the sutures for the first 24-48 hours. However, the pain would be similar because your mouth would be sore for 7-10 days following the procedure.

How to take care of wisdom teeth stitches?

Following the removal of your wisdom teeth, your oral surgeon will explain how to care for the blood clots and keep your sutures free of infection.

To avoid dry socket, which is a painful condition, it is vital to care for the stitches and blood clots.

Every patient is unique, as is their surgical location; thus, it is critical to follow your doctor’s directions.

Typical aftercare instructions

After 24 hours, gently cleanse the area with salt water. Swish or spit is not permitted. Allow the water to drain from your mouth.

A prescription for chlorhexidine solution may be issued by your dentist or oral surgeon. This is an antibacterial mouthwash that is used to lessen the possibility of infection. Use chlorhexidine exactly as directed.

Antibiotics may be prescribed by your dentist or oral surgeon in specific instances. If they do, make certain that you finish the full prescription.

For 3 to 7 days, or as long as your dentist or oral surgeon suggests, avoid flossing or using a toothbrush on the extraction site.

Foods to avoid following wisdom teeth extraction

Avoid eating things that may break or disturb sutures for the first several days. The best foods and beverages are those that are soft. They are as follows:

smoothies

yogurt

scrambled eggs

mashed potatoes

soup

Don’t eat anything sticky, hard to chew, or that may leave food particles in the stitch area. Foods to avoid include:

strawberries, raspberries, and other fruits with tiny seeds

nuts or crunchy nut butters

crunchy foods including popcorn and raw carrots

corn on the cob

chewy foods including steak

chewing gum

Other things to avoid following wisdom teeth extraction

Avoid doing anything that creates suction in your mouth, since this may cause the sutures to come loose. Suction can also cause removal of the blood clot that has formed over the wisdom teeth extraction hole.

Things to avoid are:

drinking from a straw

spitting

smoking

drinking hot liquids

strenuous activity or exercise

drinking alcohol

Talk with your oral surgeon to see when you can resume these activities.

What to do if you notice a stitch poking out

You may notice a loose stitch poking out in certain cases. You could also discover that a stitch has entirely fallen out. Except in the following cases, this is not reason for concern:

you see signs of infection

the wound has opened

the wound is bleeding

Inform your oral surgeon if a loose stitch is causing irritation to your gums or the side of your face.

Without the permission of your oral surgeon, do not cut it, pull on it, or attempt to remove it on your own.

Remember that the stitch is dissolving from the inside out and will fall out or disintegrate shortly.

How can you tell if your wisdom teeth stitches have an infection?

Infection is always a potential risk following any sort of tooth extraction. The easiest method to avoid this is to keep your sutures clean and free of food particles.

Signs of infection include:

pain

swelling

oozing of pus or other fluid

pus or blood in nasal discharge

redness

a new sensation in the extraction hole, such as a scratching sensation unpleasant taste in the mouth that is not erased by brushing or washing fever

If you suspect an infection, contact your dentist or oral surgeon right away. They will almost certainly give you oral antibiotics to take. If they do, make sure to finish the full prescription, even after you start to feel better..

Oral infections can worsen quickly, so don’t wait to let your dentist or oral surgeon know if you’re experiencing any of the above symptoms.

How long does it take for wisdom teeth holes to completely heal?

You’ll be able to eat normally again after your sutures have dissolved. If brushing your teeth with an electric toothbrush is part of your oral hygiene regimen, you’ll be able to do so as well.

However, complete recovery after wisdom tooth extraction operation takes time.

It takes 3 to 4 months for the empty wisdom tooth hole (socket) left behind after surgery to heal entirely. Keep the space clean and clear of food particles throughout this period.

What to expect after the removal of wisdom tooth

Pain

You may suffer badly with pain for the first 48 hours following the surgery, and your mouth may be sore for up to a week afterward. Local anaesthetic injections provided during the treatment guarantee that you are pain-free for the first 3–4 hours following the procedure, but as the anaesthesia wears off, you must take the painkillers prescribed to you. These should be taken on a regular basis to ensure that you get a good night’s sleep on the first night, which will help you recover faster. Paracetamol and ibuprofen are commonly recommended. When these two medications are combined, their effects are enhanced since they function in different ways. Make sure you follow your surgeon’s or pharmacist’s instructions. Some individuals may be unable to take these drugs owing to medical issues, however alternatives will be recommended in these special circumstances.

The tissue all around extraction sites will be sore, and cleaning your teeth may be challenging. Follow the advice for maintaining proper dental hygiene, since this is vital for reducing the risk of infection. Antibiotics will only be provided if there is an active infection that needs to be treated.

Swelling

Swelling, particularly in the cheek area and both inside and outside the mouth, is common. Again, it is worse for the first 2 days, after which it will gradually subside. It can be relieved by using ice packs, starting shortly after surgery. Bruising to the skin of the face may also occur.

Jaw stiffness

You can have trouble opening your mouth, as well as soreness or stiffness in your jaw joint. This usually goes away in a few days, although it might continue up to two weeks on rare occasions. For about a week, you might have to eat a soft diet.

Allow time for the swelling to go down and avoid forcing your mouth open before it is ready. This pain can be relieved with ibuprofen.

Teeth sensitivity

Sensitivity of the teeth next to the wisdom-tooth socket is common; good oral hygiene will resolve this, although it may last for several weeks.

Bad breath

You may experience bad breath; this is unlikely to last more than a week.

Stitches

The sutures will disintegrate on their own and do not need to be removed, but you should begin brushing them away 3–4 days following surgery to avoid food entrapment.

The roots of the tooth leave a socket in the bone when it is extracted. This gum hole might remain up to three months. Blood clots grow over the vacant tooth sockets while your wound heals; it’s important not to disturb them.

Bleeding

If bleeding from the extraction site persists later, bite on a cotton gauze or handkerchief for 3–5 minutes to halt it. Drinking or eating food that is too hot or too cold may cause bleeding to resume.

Following wisdom-tooth surgery, follow-up appointments are rarely scheduled. However, if you experience difficulties or your bleeding does not cease, you should consult with your surgeon..

Tiredness

Your body is using energy to heal itself, so you may feel more tired than usual – this is perfectly normal.

Trismus (difficulty opening and closing mouth)

Do not be worried if you have a painful jaw and difficulties eating or swallowing. Chewing muscles and jaw joints may be uncomfortable for 3-5 days following surgery in certain people. This ailment might also make opening and closing your mouth difficult. The pain would ultimately go away.

Lightheadedness 

Your blood sugar levels may be lower than normal since you may have fasted before surgery. You should remember to stand up gradually when getting up from a restful posture until your body has had a chance to catch up and metabolise some carbohydrates. Try eating something soft and sweet, staying in a comfortable position, and lowering the height of your head for some instant relief.

Bone sequestra (dead tooth fragments)

Some individuals have little, sharp tooth pieces which could not be removed properly following surgery. As a natural healing process, these dead bone particles, called bone sequestra, progressively push their way through the gums during the recovery period. This might be uncomfortable until the sequestra are removed, so please contact our clinic right away if you feel any sharp fragments sticking through the operation site.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

What if stitches come out early after tooth extraction?

There is nothing to be worried about if stitches come out early after tooth extraction, unless there is any sign of infection.

How long should dental stitches stay in?

Stitches that do not dissolve on their own are called removable and are removed after 2-3 days or a week after the extraction.

When do stitches in the mouth dissolve?

Stitches take 3-4 days to dissolve however it can take upto a month for them to dissolve completely.

How long does it take the hole to close after tooth extraction?

It takes 3 to 4 months for the empty tooth hole (socket) left behind after surgery to heal entirely.

Do stitches dissolve?

Yes, stitches can dissolve. It takes 3-4 days for the stitches to dissolve.

Other FAQs about Tooth Extraction that you may be interested in.

Can you drink water before wisdom teeth removal?

Does your throat hurt after wisdom teeth removal? 

Bone spur after wisdom tooth extraction?