If you are like most people, your dentist probably told you that you would need wisdom teeth stitches. But what does that mean? And what should you expect? In this blog post, we will answer all of your questions about wisdom teeth stitches! We will cover everything from how they are placed to how long they will take to heal. So if you are curious about wisdom teeth stitches, keep reading!
When Do Dentists Place Wisdom Teeth Stitches
Wisdom teeth stitches are usually placed right after your wisdom teeth are extracted. These stitches will typically be placed when an incision had to be made to remove your wisdom teeth. The stitches will help to close up the incision and will help to promote healing.
In general, your dentist will use dissolvable sutures to close up the extraction site. Dissolvable sutures are made from a material that will slowly dissolve over time. This means that you won’t have to come back to have them removed!
When do Wisdom Teeth Stitches Dissolve
The dissolving process for wisdom teeth stitches is usually pretty quick. Most people report that their stitches dissolve between 2 days to 2 weeks. However, it can vary depending on the following factors:
- The stitching material used
- The extent of the incision made during the wisdom tooth extraction
- The stitch size and type
To make sure that the stitches are not disturbed during the healing process it is important to follow your dentist’s instructions for care. This includes:
Not Drinking Through a Straw
You should avoid drinking through a straw for the first 24 hours after your wisdom teeth are extracted. This is because suction can cause the blood clot that forms at the extraction site to become dislodged. If this happens, you may develop a painful condition called dry socket.
Not Consuming Alcohol, Carbonated Beverages, or Crunch/Chewy Foods
You should also avoid consuming alcohol, carbonated beverages, or crunchy/chewy foods for the first 24 hours after your wisdom teeth are extracted. Similar to drinking through a straw, these substances can cause the blood clot that forms at the extraction site to become dislodged.
Not Swishing Hard After Brushing Teeth
Swishing hard creates a suction that might pull your clot away. Instead of swishing violently, try gently swishing the water and then allowing it to drip out of your mouth for the first few days.
Not Smoking or Vaping
Many studies have suggested a link between smoking/vaping and the development of dry sockets. Smoking dries out your mouth, making it more difficult to heal any type of sore, surgery, or infection after wisdom teeth removal. Additionally, the sucking motion itself may cause a blood clot to dislodge. If you smoke cigarettes, try to go without them for at least 2-3 days after your dental operation.
Not Planning Heavy Exercise
By undergoing intense exercise after a tooth extraction you increase your blood pressure and heart rate which increases the risk of dislodging the blood clot and wisdom tooth’s stitches.
What Happens if Wisdom Teeth Stitches Come Out?
If your wisdom teeth stitches come out before they are supposed to it is important to contact your dentist. However, this is not something that one should panic about. Depending on when the wisdom teeth stitches fall out there are typically two outcomes:
If Wisdom Tooth Stitches Fall Out Within 2 Days of Operation
This will result in delayed healing of the wisdom tooth extraction site. However, wisdom tooth stitches are typically not replaced and the wound can continue to heal. One should be careful to continue monitoring the site for dry sockets.
If Wisdom Tooth Stitches Fall Out After 2 Days of Operation
This is not a cause for alarm as the wound should have already begun to heal. Continue to monitor the health of the area as normal.
If you have any questions or concerns about wisdom tooth stitches, be sure to talk to your dentist. They will be able to give you more specific instructions for care. And they can answer any other questions you may have about the procedure.
Disclaimer
The contents of this website, such as text, graphics, images, and other material are for informational purposes only and are not intended to be substituted for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Nothing on this website constitutes the practice of medicine, law or any other regulated profession.
No two mouths are the same, and each oral situation is unique. As such, it isn’t possible to give comprehensive advice or diagnose oral conditions based on articles alone. The best way to ensure you’re getting the best dental care possible is to visit a dentist in person for an examination and consultation.
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