I had my wisdom teeth out 5 days ago, but one of the stitches fell out today...?

Question

I'm still experiencing a lot of pain, not as bad as the start though. I've had about 4 smokes, but I pack my mouth with gauze and do the salt rinse right after. Do you think that a) I should call the doctor about the stitch coming out? b) i could still get dry socket from smoking, especially since the stitch came out? and c) should i hold off on eating solid foods now?

Any help would be appreciated...I'm nervous to eat solid foods & to get dry socket. I'm on Tylenol 3s and an antibiotic, but I can't live without the T3s (trust me, it was sooo painful still)...Thanks!!!

Answer 1

I assume you weren't instructed to return for a stitch removal, which means the sutures were the absorbable type. Losing one after five days is to be expected. Chances are that the tissue has healed enough that you are not at risk for a dry socket to develop. Dry socket refers to the socket the tooth occupied in the jawbone. There is a clot that is formed there which seals off the bone and prevents it from losing fluid- dehydrating in other words. At this point, you would have healed enough to seal the bone off again, and would not be a risk. You are still at a risk for an infection though, so it's still important to rinse carefully after you eat. It's not a problem to go back to eating solid food again, although it will have to be softer things at first. Obviously tacos wouldn't be a great choice right now. But there's no reason why you couldn't enjoy something solid. Try noodles and such, things you can chew without a lot of jaw power and that don't really take a lot of chewing. It would also probably be a good idea to take it easy on the highly spiced stuff, chili powder probably wouldn't feel too good on the tender gums around the removal site. You should be able to taper off that Tylenol 3 by now, in fact motrin ought to cover you pretty well. If you are still kind of swollen, try applying heat to the jaw and drinking warm fluids. That will help encourage things to go back to normal size by increasing the blood flow to the area. It also encourages healing as well. And move that jaw around, movement helps as well. Sleep slightly propped up to use gravity to help drain the swelling as well. I assume it must have been a difficult removal, or you wouldn't have been given as much of the Tylenol 3 to cover this long. I would encourage you to try using Motrin during the day and saving that Tylenol 3 for nighttime if you can. Keep up with the swish and rinse after eating, and be sure to brush good. You can use a child size toothbrush so you can avoid hitting the healing sites. Avoid the straws, and do try to keep the smoking to a minimum for a while longer if you can do it. You don't necessarily have to wad gauze into your mouth, but you still want to limit the smoking while you are still healing. The rest of your sutures may give up in the next day or so, but that's just fine. They are meant to dissolve, and the mouth is a pretty damp place for them.. Most come out while you are eating, so you never notice it happening, or they go while you are alseep and you just swallow them. No matter, they won't hurt you. It's a sign also the tissue is healing, and healing the sutures out. It's just about the right time, a little early maybe but not early enough to have concern. If you start to get a distinct ache in the jawline right about the spot where the tooth was, then that is a sign of a dry socket. But since you were sutured, and already at day 5, it's not a big risk anymore. So you can probably relax, and enjoy some pasta. And something a little more substantial than soup. Shoot, if you like, you could even have a bit of soda now. Let it unbubble for a few minutes, but at least it isn't juice. Happy healing.

Answer 2

If you can't live without the T3's, and it's been 5 days, something's wrong... and it could be a dry socket. The only way to find out is if you get in to see the Doc... if it is indeed a dry socket, he'll put some medication in the socket... and you should feel better in no time.

Try really hard not to smoke for now, since it will irritate the area.......stick to a soft diet for a few more days, too.

Good luck to you!

:)

Answer 3

I so hate the dentist and I know what your going through even the smoking part and god knows you dont want a dry socket but you should be fine if its been 5 days now stitches come out soon anyway no worries your good. And yes eat something just be careful

Answer 4

Don't worry. Your mouth heals extremely fast, in fact nearly faster than anywhere else in the body. Sounds like you are doing the right stuff. Sometime stitches fall out as they are not tied properly or they are cut too short. The only reason i would go to the doctor/dentist is to get them removed or if the pain is unbearable.
Chris- Registered Nurse

Answer 5

Your nervous about eating solid foods when you smoke which if the wounds are still open which they obvioulsly are they have a higher risk of getting infected? Can I just say idiot? Im not trying to be a ***** but Id back to the dentist, even if theres nothing wrong at least your checking up and making sur eits all okay!

Answer 6

It's okay, mine too came out while rinsing my mouth. Just eat soft food and chew from the other side of the mouth. No food should get stuck in the cavity or it will rot and cause infection.

Answer 7

the stitches are meant to fall out when there ready, at least thats what i was told when i got mine out. five days, that should be about right. Call your doctor

Answer 8

Remember, you only get one set of chops. So, give the doctor a call and explain your worries. Pain should let up soon.Luck to you.

Answer 9

you've had plenty of time to begin healing. you shoudlnt get a dry socket.. dont smoke