Imagine you are enjoying a blockbuster movie on your TV or smartphone after a wisdom teeth extraction. Suddenly, you feel something uneasy in between your wisdom teeth. You come to know that the wisdom teeth stitches came out and started bleeding.
The very first thing you would think is, “My wisdom teeth stitches came out. What do I do now?” Well, the worries for your oral health are perfect. And it is pretty normal to be carried away by panic.
But what should you do in this case? Should you pull off the entire suture (dental stitches)? Or should you cut the edges of the stitches to make it round?
Read on to find more about what you should do if your wisdom teeth stitches came out.
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Wisdom Teeth Stitches Came Out: Is It Normal Or A Problem?
Let’s face the real deal. You are putting your best effort into keeping the stitches safe and undisturbed. Besides, your dentist did not do any less than his best too. However, your wisdom teeth stitches can still come out.
So, is it normal for wisdom teeth stitches to come out? Surely, no.
Your dentist puts on the stitches so that they stay there and protect the operated area.
That means it is a problem if your wisdom teeth stitches came out same day. What do you do in this particular situation? That’s what our next section does tell you.
Related: Is Your Wisdom Tooth Cutting Into Cheek?
What To Do If Your Wisdom Teeth Stitches Come Out
Let’s put the thing aside, are stitches from wisdom teeth supposed to come out. Let’s accept the fact and focus on what to do if the stitches are out there inside your mouth. In this case, you should consider the following:
1. The type of stitches your dentist used
Now, let’s have a look at the types of dental stitches that you may come into contact with after a tooth surgery.
- Dissolvable: A dissolvable stitch means the stitch will be dissolved on its own. The materials of the stitch make it easier to complete the process.
- Non-dissolvable: Non-dissolvable or conventional stitches on your operation area requires manual removal. You have to return to the dentist office to remove the stitch.
If you have the dissolved stitches, you don’t need to go to the dentist again. This type of stitch was supposed to dissolve on its own, inside your mouth.
However, you have to be extra careful so that the stitches don’t come out.
Despite extra care, if the stitches still come out, you must immediately visit your dentist.
Related: Prednisone For Tooth Infection Is An Effective Solution for Sutures
If you have non-dissolvable stitches, your dentist will tell you when to revisit him to remove the stitches. If the stitches come out way earlier than the anticipation, you have to call your dentist. He will tell you what to do.
2. The time when your wisdom teeth stitches came out
This is the second thing you have to consider if your wisdom teeth stitches come out—the time between the surgery and when your stitches came out matters a lot.
In the case of removable (non-dissolvable) stitches, if they come out close to the stitch’s removal date, you are in less trouble. Unless there is any pain or uncomfortableness, you should be okay.
Contact your dentist immediately if you have dissolvable stitches and it feels like poking out.
As the dissolvable stitches are not meant to come out, time doesn’t play a significant role here. It may take up to two weeks to completely dissolve the stitches on their own. If the stitches come out, contact your dentist.
3. Your dentist knows the best
Even if you think you know what is going on between your mouth, make sure you have cross-checked the situation with your dentist.
A specific condition may seem normal to you, but your dentist may become astonished by hearing about that condition. Unless you are a dental student, you need a consultation with a dentist.
Trust me, consulting with your dentist always helps.
Related: Is It Normal to Have Tooth Sensitivity Months After Filling?
How You Can Avoid Your Stitches Coming Out
Coming out of the stitches after a wisdom teeth surgery is pretty common. Nevertheless, you can avoid it by following a few basic precautions.
Follow your dentist’s instructions
You must follow your dentist’s instructions. He will tell you all the details about the aftercare of your wisdom teeth removal.
If you can follow them correctly, having any issues with the stitches should be a minimum.
Don’t smoke
Smoking is terrible for your health. Along with the carcinogenic nicotine, you put your surgery area at risk by leaving hot steam and suctioning. It can create a dry socket.
In addition, smoking can also endanger the stitches of your wisdom teeth.
That is why you should not smoke up to one week from the surgery. If the urge is powerful, talk to your dentist about whether you can start earlier or not.
Don’t spit or drink with a straw
By spitting and suctioning, you will be in danger of getting a dry socket. Along with that, if a blood clot dislodges, it can also jeopardize the stitches.
Don’t try any hard food
Go for soft meals for the first week. If not possible, try to maintain at least a five days gap before shifting towards something hard.
If you eat hard foods, the foods will leave food particles, and the hard materials may damage the operation area and the stitches.
Related: What Foods To Eat When You Have A Toothache
Things You Should Know About Teeth Stitches (Sutures)
First of all, you won’t need a stitch every time you do surgery on your tooth (or teeth). In simple cases, stitches or sutures cause more problems than benefits. But that doesn’t mean you don’t have to take the help of stitches at all.
Your dentist will decide whether a stitch is required or not after assessing the surgery condition. And if the dentist insists on stitches, make sure you ask about the details.
The dental professional will tell you all the details about the after-care. However, you need to ask if there is any doubt in your mind.
FAQ
Is it normal for stitches to fall out after tooth extraction?
Dissolvable stitches don’t fall out. On the other hand, your dentist will tell you when to revisit him to remove the stitches. So, no. It is not normal for stitches to fall out after tooth extraction.
But if your removable stitches fall out near the removal date, we think it is not a problem.
Is it bad if a stitch comes out after wisdom teeth removal?
Stitches shouldn’t come out on their own. You either remove them with the help of your dentist, or they get dissolved. If you face an early fallout, yes, it is terrible. Contact your dentist without wasting any more seconds.
Do I have to worry about dry sockets if I have stitches?
Yes, dry sockets can still happen if you have stitches. Well, stitches do protect your surgery area very well. But if you don’t follow your dentist’s instructions well enough, you will still be in danger of a dry socket.
What do I do if my stitches open?
The first thing you should do is to call your dentist immediately. Stitches don’t come out on their own, in general. But it shouldn’t be a big problem if your stitches come out near the stitches removal appointment date.
Conclusion
The moment you find something wrong with the stitches, you should try to consult with your dentist. If you don’t feel any pain or any discomfort, nothing bad should happen.
But if your wisdom teeth stitches came out way earlier than the removal date, it is undoubtedly a problem. Inform your dentist about your condition. He (or she) will take care of the situation.
One more thing. Keep continuing your good care of the surgery area. It helps.
