Worried about stitches after implant surgery

Couldn’t agree more about wanting clearer “what’s normal” info after surgery. Every time I’ve had work done - implants, gum grafts, you name it - I end up second-guessing everything for days. The dissolving stitches especially can look gnarly, and it’s wild how much uglier it gets before healing kicks in. Last round, mine started poking out and turning white at the ends, and I was convinced something had gone sideways, but my dentist said that’s just what happens as they break down.

The whole not-overloading-us theory makes sense, but honestly, I’d rather be a little overwhelmed than panicked and googling at 2am. I keep wishing they’d hand out a photo sheet of “this is fine vs. call us now.” Swelling and weird colors seem par for the course, but yeah, it’s tough to know what crosses the line into “actually bad.”

In my experience, if you don’t have crazy pain or oozing blood that won’t stop, you’re probably okay - but I still end up texting the office with photos half the time anyway. It’s just nerve-wracking when it’s your mouth (or your kid’s).

When my daughter had her first oral surgery, I thought I was prepared, but the stitches looked way worse than I expected. They turned kind of grayish and started sticking out at weird angles after a few days. Honestly, I almost called the office just because it looked so odd, but she wasn’t in pain and there was no bleeding. Still, I wish they’d give a “here’s what’s ugly but normal” handout - would save a lot of stress. The uncertainty is the worst part, especially when it’s your kid.

That “ugly but normal” handout would’ve saved me a ton of worry too. When I had my own implant surgery, the stitches honestly looked like something out of a Halloween movie after about four days. They started curling up and changing color, and I was convinced something was wrong, even though the area didn’t hurt and wasn’t swollen. I kept checking for signs of infection just in case.

I get what you mean about the stress being worse than the actual recovery sometimes. It’s so different seeing it on your kid, though - I can only imagine how much more nerve-wracking that is. Looking back, I wish someone had told me that stitches often look weird before they fall out or dissolve. The dental assistant later said as long as there’s no pain, fever, or weird smell, it’s probably just part of healing... but man, it’s hard not to worry when it looks so gnarly.

Totally get this - mine looked so ragged I was sure something had gone wrong, but the dentist said it was normal too. Did yours eventually dissolve on their own, or did you have to go back to get them removed? That part made me nervous.

Mine were supposed to dissolve but I kept checking them every day because they looked so weird. Ended up calling the office twice just to make sure nothing was wrong... They eventually dissolved after like two weeks, but honestly, it felt like forever. Did anyone else’s take longer? I was worried about accidentally pulling one out when brushing.

I was worried about accidentally pulling one out when brushing.

Same here, I swear I was brushing like I was handling a Fabergé egg or something. My stitches took about three weeks to finally disappear, and I was convinced they were never going to go. I even tried to avoid eating anything that required actual chewing, which made me realize how many of my favorite cheap snacks are off-limits post-surgery. Did anyone else get freaked out by the color changing as they dissolved? I kept thinking they were moldy or something...

Did anyone else get freaked out by the color changing as they dissolved? I kept thinking they were moldy or something...

Honestly, I was more fascinated than freaked out by the whole dissolving stitches thing. Maybe I’m just weird, but watching them slowly change color felt like a science experiment in my mouth. I do get what you mean about being super gentle, though - I was brushing so carefully that I probably missed half my teeth for a week. But I gotta say, I didn’t avoid chewy foods as much as I probably should have. Ended up eating soft tacos on day four (don’t recommend), and nothing disastrous happened... just some regret and a lot of extra rinsing.

About the stitches, mine turned this weird grayish-blue before finally vanishing. It was definitely odd, but I figured as long as nothing smelled funky or hurt, it was probably fine. Maybe I’m just too laid back about these things, but I never really worried about pulling one out. They seemed tougher than they looked - like dental floss’s stubborn cousin.

That color-changing thing seriously threw me off the first time I had dissolving stitches. I remember checking in the mirror every day, convinced something had gone wrong because they started out clear-ish, then got this weird brown tint, and eventually almost black. I actually called my dentist in a panic - she just laughed and said it was normal. Felt a bit silly after that.

I totally relate to the brushing paranoia too. I was so worried about accidentally yanking one out that I basically just dabbed at my teeth for a week. Couldn’t bring myself to eat anything but mashed potatoes and yogurt for days. But honestly, they’re tougher than you’d think. One of mine hung on for nearly two weeks and only disappeared after I ate a piece of bread (not even crunchy bread, just regular sandwich bread).

If it helps, my dentist told me as long as there’s no swelling, pain, or gross smell, the stitches are just doing their thing - even if they look a little sketchy. It’s weirdly fascinating once you get past the initial “is this normal?” panic.

That color change really freaked me out too - my kid had dissolving stitches after a baby tooth extraction, and I was convinced something was wrong when they turned brownish. Did you notice any weird taste when they started to break down? My daughter kept complaining about a “gross string” flavor for a few days. I was also super careful with brushing, but the dentist said it’s actually fine as long as you’re gentle. How long did yours take to fully dissolve? Ours were still hanging around at the two-week checkup, which surprised me.

That brownish color threw me off too - thought something was wrong at first. My son definitely complained about a weird taste, kind of plasticky or bitter, when his stitches were dissolving. I was surprised how long they stuck around; his lasted close to three weeks before finally disappearing. The dentist reassured us that as long as there’s no swelling or pain, it’s usually fine. Honestly, being gentle with brushing made all the difference for us.

That plasticky taste is the worst, right?

“My son definitely complained about a weird taste, kind of plasticky or bitter, when his stitches were dissolving.”

That plasticky taste drove me nuts too - felt like I had a mouthful of chemicals for days. I was paranoid about infection, kept checking for redness and swelling. Sometimes I think the dissolving stitches take longer as you get older... or maybe that’s just me being impatient. Even now, I still brush super carefully around any sore spots.

That plasticky taste is the worst, but I actually found it faded quicker than I expected - maybe a couple days, tops. About the stitches, I used to think age made everything slower too, but my dentist said it’s more about your body’s healing habits and not just the years. I’ve had stitches dissolve fast some times, and drag on other times, no real pattern. Careful brushing definitely helps, but I try not to obsess over every twinge... sometimes I think worrying makes it feel worse.

I totally get the worry - my stitches after implant surgery hung around way longer than I expected, like almost two weeks. The plasticky taste drove me nuts too, but it faded after a few days, just like you said. Funny thing, my younger cousin had hers dissolve faster than mine, so I guess age really isn’t the main thing. I tried to keep brushing gently and distracted myself with movies when I started overthinking every weird twinge. It’s wild how much your mind can amplify stuff.

Funny thing, my younger cousin had hers dissolve faster than mine, so I guess age really isn’t the main thing.

That’s interesting - my dentist mentioned that the dissolving time can actually depend on the type of suture material and even your saliva’s pH, not just age. I remember stressing over every little sensation too, especially when the stitches felt tight or got caught on my toothbrush. For me, gentle saltwater rinses helped with the plasticky taste, though it lingered longer than I expected. The mind really does run wild when you’re healing...

Yeah, I totally get the overthinking part - my daughter had her implant surgery last year and I was basically on edge for a week straight, just watching those stitches. It’s wild how much you notice every little thing when you’re worried about healing. For her, the stitches seemed to hang around forever (or at least it felt like it to me), and I kept checking with a flashlight to see if they were finally gone. Her dentist also mentioned the whole saliva thing, which I’d never heard of before. Apparently, some people’s saliva breaks down the material faster? I guess there’s no one-size-fits-all.

She complained a lot about that weird taste too, and honestly, I didn’t know what to tell her except to keep up with the saltwater rinses like you said. It did help, but she still made faces every time. I was nervous about her brushing near the stitches, so we switched to a super soft toothbrush and tried to keep it gentle. Still, she managed to catch a thread once and freaked out thinking she’d ruined everything. Turns out it was fine, but my stress level went through the roof for a minute.

I did wonder if age would make a difference since she’s only 11, but now I’m thinking it really just depends on luck and maybe how careful you are with eating and cleaning. The dentist reassured us that as long as there’s no pain or swelling, things are probably on track - even if those stitches seem stubborn. I still checked them every night though... just in case. Funny how something so tiny can take over your brain for days.

That flashlight-checking habit is way too familiar. I’ve seen so many parents do the same thing, and honestly, I’d probably be right there with you if it was my own kid. Those stitches just seem to take on a life of their own, especially when you’re watching them every night. It’s wild how much more you notice when it’s someone you care about - every little bit of redness or swelling suddenly feels like a five-alarm fire.

The saliva thing gets people every time. I remember one family that swore their son’s stitches dissolved in half the time compared to their daughter’s, and they were convinced it had something to do with him being a “drooler” as a baby. Not exactly scientific, but hey, sometimes those old wives’ tales have a kernel of truth. There’s definitely a lot of variation - sometimes it’s just the type of suture material, sometimes it’s just the person.

That weird taste complaint is super common, especially with dissolvable stitches. Saltwater rinses are about the only thing that helps, but even then, kids will let you know if they’re not fans. I had one little guy who started calling it his “pirate mouth” and would make dramatic faces every time his mom handed him the cup. At least he kept a sense of humor about it.

You nailed it with the soft toothbrush trick. I always tell folks to swap out for the gentlest brush they can find, and just go slow. Even adults get nervous about snagging a stitch - one patient called me panicked after she thought she’d “ripped out” her whole implant because she saw a thread in the sink. Nine times out of ten, it’s just a loose end coming free, but those moments will age you fast.

Age can play a role, but honestly, careful hygiene and a bit of luck do most of the heavy lifting. As long as there’s no pain, swelling, or weird drainage, things are usually headed in the right direction. That said, I totally get why you’d keep checking. Sometimes peace of mind is worth all those extra flashlight batteries.

Flashlight checks? I swear, I could’ve given airport security a run for their money after my implant. Every little twinge and I was convinced something had gone sideways. Those dissolvable stitches tasted like I’d been chewing on a rubber band... but hey, the “pirate mouth” bit cracks me up. Kids handle it better than most adults, honestly.

Those dissolvable stitches tasted like I’d been chewing on a rubber band...

Totally relate. My kid kept poking at them with her tongue, and I was constantly peering in there with my phone flashlight. Every time she winced, I panicked. Honestly, the “pirate mouth” phase had me more stressed than her. Kids are tougher than we think, but I’m still checking for weird swelling or anything off… probably overdoing it, but can’t help myself.

Honestly, the “pirate mouth” phase had me more stressed than her. Kids are tougher than we think, but I’m still checking for weird swelling or anything off… probably overdoing it, but can’t help myself.

That “pirate mouth” description made me laugh because that’s exactly how I felt after my own implant surgery. Except in my case, I was the one poking at the stitches with my tongue and then immediately regretting it. Couldn’t resist though - there’s just something about having those weird threads in your mouth that makes you hyper-aware of every little bump and twinge.

I remember sitting on the couch with a flashlight app open, trying to take a selfie of the inside of my own cheek just to see if things looked “normal.” Spoiler: they never do, at least not to me. Every time I spotted a bit of redness or what looked like swelling, I’d convince myself it was infected. Ended up calling my dentist twice in one week, and both times they reassured me it was all part of the healing process.

I get what you mean about kids being tougher, though. My niece had some dental work done last year and she barely complained, just got annoyed that she couldn’t eat chips for a few days. Meanwhile, I was obsessing over whether my stitches were dissolving “too fast” or “not fast enough.” Honestly, I wish I could be as chill as she was.

It’s hard not to worry when it’s someone you care about (or yourself), but from what I’ve seen - and what my dentist keeps telling me - some swelling and weird sensations are pretty normal unless there’s major pain or fever. Still doesn’t stop me from checking in the mirror every few hours... old habits die hard, I guess.

Anyway, you’re definitely not alone in feeling anxious about this stuff. If anything looks really off or gets worse instead of better, that’s when they say to call - but most of the time it’s just our brains going into overdrive.