I've just had my wisdom teeth removed and one of the sutures has opened up.?

Question

The teeth were removed 5 days ago, and my stitches are starting to come out. On one side, there is a small hole where my cheek meets my gums. Is this a go to the dentist now thing, or can it wait until morning?

Answer 1

No, you don't need to rush to the dentist. They are probably dissolving sutures and will come out on their own, unless you have an appointment to have them removed. Which you should check on in case you need to make one for the removal of the others if they aren't dissolving sutures. But either way after five days, your fine. They won't place any more now, it's just not necessary after this much time. The hole you feel is the socket area and where the incision was made, this is going to take several months to completely fill in, just be diligent about rinsing well, especially after eating. Keeping it cleaned out so food doesn't become lodged in the opening causing an infection to develop is the only thing to worry about now. You're clot is developed and tissue is starting to form, covering the socket, you can't hurt it unless you stab it with something sharp now. You've made it through the worst part of it, just keep doing what your doing and you'll be fine. Keep in mind that the mouth heals very quickly. Good luck and I hope I've been of some help. If you have any doubts about the type of sutures placed, call your dentist office in the morning so you can put your mind at ease at the follow up appointment and suture removal, or not!

Answer 2

I'm a dental hygienist and I'd love to answer your question. Five days post-surgery is just fine for the stitches to start to dissolve. It's perfectly normal (and your dentist should have gone over all of that with you, unfortunately many do not). The small hole you are noticing is the area where the tooth used to be and it will take some time for bone to fill in the area. Try to brush gently in that area and be choosy about what kinds of food you eat...you don't want to eat stuff that might get stuck down in the holes. (AfterI had my wisdom teeth out, that very night I had a craving for Chinese food and got a piece of rice stuck in the extraction site and I most definitely know better! LOL!)
If, on the other hand, you are experiencing any pain or swelling in the area, please call your dentist and let them know. They should have had you on an antibiotic before the extractions, be sure you finish the full prescription. As always, swishing with warm salt water is a great idea (1/2 teaspoon of salt to a glass of warm water, let it dissolve and swish it around the affected area then spit it out..you can do this several times a day. It helps to bring down any swelling).

Good luck!

Answer 3

that happened to me. the dentist told me that i had dissolving stiches. but i didnt belive him since half of them where going away and the knots and other areas where just staying there for a while. but i thought that my dentist cut my cheek open when he wasdoing the surgery, and i had a infection for a week. i thought it was a piece of bone since it was white looking. i called my dcotor up and he gave me antibiotics, which upset my stomach, and a rinse, which cleared the infection up SOOO well. it also takes the pain away, and it heals super fast.

Answer 4

I still have holes from my wisdom teeth, and that was over 10 years ago. They told me it was normal, but to try to keep food out of them.

Answer 5

Depends on the time of day. If after hours wait until morning as your mouth generally will heal itself.

Answer 6

No big deal, call the dentist in the morning and ask him. I'm sure it will be fine.

Answer 7

KARRI,
THE DENTIST PROBABLY USED DISSOLVING SUTURES, AS SUCH THEY WOULD COME APART AFTER A FEW DAYS, BUT THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN PLENTY OF TIME FOR HEALING TO TAKE PLACE.

Answer 8

i would make a dentist appointment right away since it could get infected and that would be worse.