If you’ll be having a wisdom tooth extraction treatment soon, you may be curious about what to expect once those pesky third molars finally come out. But while healing from this procedure does require some important aftercare steps, one thing you won’t have to worry much about is your stitches. Here’s a closer look at the sutures your dentist will use following your wisdom tooth removal, and how to care for them so they protect your mouth while you heal!
What Kind of Stitches Are Used After Wisdom Tooth Extraction?
There are many kinds of sutures or stitches available depending on the procedure you need. For some, you may need staples, or even silk stitches which must be removed by a dentist or doctor. However, the good news is that with wisdom tooth extraction your dentist will most likely use comfortable, easy to care for dissolving stitches, which can be made of either synthetic materials like Vicryl, Monocryl, or Polydioxanone, or natural materials like collagen fibers or sheep or cow intestines.
How Do I Care for Dissolving Stitches?
With dissolving stitches, you won’t need to return to your dentist to have them removed. They disappear on their own as your mouth heals, typically within a few weeks, but they can sometimes take up to a full month to go away completely. In the meantime, you’ll want to take good care of them, so they stay intact until your gums heal and stay closed on their own. Here are a few best practices to ensure they remain in place:
- Don’t pull on, poke at, or play with your stitches.
- Do not drink from straws.
- Avoid spitting forcefully.
- Don’t smoke, vape, or use tobacco products.
- Abstain from drinking alcohol for at least 48 hours after your procedure.
- Apply cold compresses to the face over the extraction sites for comfort and to reduce swelling.
- If you notice any sutures sticking out, there’s no need to worry unless they are accompanied by increased bleeding, the incision reopening, or any signs of infection such as pus oozing from the site.
- Eat a soft diet for the first few days after your procedure.
- Avoid brushing around your incision sites for the first few days after your procedure.
- Gently gargle with warm saltwater to soothe your mouth and help keep it clean.
Remember, while your dissolving sutures should go away on their own in a few weeks, it is important to take good care of them until they do. If you notice any abnormal symptoms such as loose stitches, or if your extraction sites begin showing signs of infection, contact your dentist right away. In the meantime, focus on healing from your procedure, and soon you’ll have a healthy, wisdom-tooth free smile to share with the world!
About Our Practice
At Smile Keepers, Dr. Sumeet Sharma and Dr. Saru Sharma are pleased to remove your teeth right here in Brenham. Don’t let these troublesome third molars destroy your otherwise beautiful smile. To learn more about this important treatment, schedule a consultation for wisdom tooth removal by visiting our website or calling 979-830-5022.