Reviewed by Dr. Hardeep Dhaliwal
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Reading time: two minutes
Healing after wisdom teeth removal involves several stages, and stitches are often part of that process. Patients commonly want to know how long stitches last, whether they dissolve on their own, and what changes are normal during recovery.
Table of Contents
How Long Do Wisdom Teeth Stitches Take to Dissolve?
Dissolvable wisdom teeth stitches typically loosen or fall out within 7 to 14 days as the material breaks down. It’s normal for pieces of the stitches to break off as healing progresses.
Several factors influence how quickly stitches dissolve:
- Your body’s healing response
- The size of the surgical site
- Whether the extraction involved impacted wisdom teeth, which often requires more extensive tissue healing
- How closely aftercare instructions are followed
If non-dissolvable stitches are used, they do not break down on their own and are removed by your oral surgeon during a follow-up visit.
What Wisdom Teeth Stitches Feel Like During Healing
During the first few days after surgery, stitches may feel tight or noticeable, especially when swelling peaks. As healing progresses, most patients report that stitches become less noticeable at the extraction sites.
Normal sensations can include:
- Mild tightness near the extraction site
- Awareness of the stitches with tongue movement
- Slight itching as tissue heals
Pain that increases after several days, sharp pulling sensations, or visible gaps in the gum tissue are not normal and should be evaluated.
Caring for Wisdom Teeth Stitches
Proper care protects the stitches and supports smooth healing. Small daily habits make a meaningful difference.
During recovery:
- Rinse gently with salt water after 24 hours
- Avoid pulling at stitches with your tongue or fingers
- Eat soft foods that do not press on the area
- Brush carefully while avoiding the surgical site
- Skip straws and smoking, which increases the chance of dry socket (disruption of blood clot)
Good oral hygiene supports healing without disturbing the sutures.
When to Call Your Oral Surgeon
Some changes during recovery are normal, but certain symptoms require professional evaluation.
Contact your oral surgeon if you notice:
- Persistent bleeding that does not slow
- Increasing pain after initial improvement
- Signs of infection such as fever or swelling
- Stitches tearing or the wound reopening
- A foul taste or discharge from the site
Early evaluation helps prevent complications and supports proper recovery.
Wisdom Teeth Removal in Issaquah, WA
If you have concerns about your recovery, contact your oral surgeon for further guidance. If you are a patient at Adara Surgical Institute and had your surgery performed here, contact our office for further guidance.
To book an appointment at our oral surgery office in Issaquah, WA, call (425) 428-5888 or visit us at 6505 226th Pl SE STE #100 Issaquah, WA.
FAQs
Is it normal for wisdom teeth stitches to hurt?
Stitches may feel tight or noticeable at first, but they should not cause sharp or worsening pain.
What happens if wisdom teeth stitches come out too soon?
If the area looks closed and pain is improving, early stitch loss is often harmless. Contact your oral surgeon if the site opens or bleeding returns.
Can I speed up wisdom teeth stitch dissolving?
No. Dissolvable stitches break down on their own over time, and the process cannot be safely accelerated. Following post-operative care instructions, avoiding smoking, and allowing normal healing to occur supports proper recovery without interfering with the sutures.
