Finding a loose thread on your tongue a few days after wisdom teeth removal usually just means a dissolving stitch is doing what it was designed to do. Dissolvable stitches soften and fall out as the gum heals, and a patient leaflet from University College Cork's dental school says they fall out by themselves in about 10 to 14 days. The exact timing depends on the material your dentist used.
Not every wisdom tooth needs stitches
Stitches, or sutures, hold the edges of the gum together while it heals. When a wisdom tooth has come through fully and is lifted out in one piece, the socket is often left to heal on its own. When the tooth is impacted, the dentist usually lifts a small flap of gum, may remove a little bone and may section the tooth, and stitches are then used to lay the gum back in place. The NHS notes that if you had stitches after wisdom tooth removal, they will dissolve by themselves.
Dissolvable and removable stitches
Most stitches after wisdom teeth removal are the dissolving kind, made from material the body breaks down slowly, so no appointment is needed to take them out. Some materials last longer than others. Occasionally a dentist chooses a non-dissolving stitch for a firmer hold, and in that case you will be booked in to have it removed. Removal is quick and usually feels like a gentle tug. Your aftercare sheet should say which type you have.
Caring for the area in the first week
On the first day, leave the stitches and socket alone. The Better Health Channel advises avoiding excessive rinsing, sucking through a straw and spitting, since these can disturb the blood clot, and waiting at least 24 hours before holding warm salty water in the mouth after meals. Try not to explore the stitches with your tongue or fingers. Brush your other teeth as usual, keeping the brush away from the stitches for the first day or two and then cleaning gently around them.
Eat soft food and chew on the other side where you can. The Better Health Channel also suggests not smoking for 48 hours and avoiding alcohol in the early period. If the area starts to bleed, our guide on stopping bleeding after an extraction explains how to apply pressure.
A stitch that comes out early
Stitches often loosen before the gum has fully closed, and a thread coming away after a few days is common. If the gum underneath looks like it is closing and there is no fresh bleeding, there is usually nothing to do. If a stitch comes out on the first day, the wound gapes open, or bleeding starts again and will not settle with pressure, call your dentist for advice rather than trying to fix it yourself.
Signs that need a call
Some soreness, swelling and stiffness are expected for a few days. Contact your dentist if:
- pain gets worse a few days after surgery instead of easing, especially with a bad smell or taste, which can be a sign of dry socket
- swelling keeps increasing, or you notice pus or a fever
- bleeding does not stop with firm pressure
- a stitch is still firmly in place well after the time your dentist mentioned
For the wider picture of recovery, see our wisdom teeth healing guide.
Questions about wisdom teeth stitches
Should I pull out a loose stitch?
It is better not to. A loose dissolving stitch will usually fall out on its own. If a long thread is bothering you, your dentist can trim it.
What if I swallow a stitch?
A small dissolving stitch that is swallowed is very unlikely to cause any harm.
Why does the gum look white around the stitches?
Healing gum in the mouth often looks pale or creamy white in the first days. This is usually normal healing tissue rather than infection, but increasing pain, swelling or pus should be checked.
Sources
- University College Cork Dental School. Wisdom teeth patient information leaflet.
- NHS. Wisdom tooth removal.
- Better Health Channel (Victorian Government). Wisdom teeth.
If you have questions about wisdom teeth removal or how your healing is going, the team at Lumi Dental can help. See our current offers or book with a general dentist in Melrose Park. This article is general information and not a substitute for personal dental advice.
