Brushing your teeth with stitches: precautions

Brushing your teeth with stitches: how to clean without pulling on the threads or reopening the wound until the stitches are removed.

Publié le 19/09/2026 4 min de lecture Relu par l'équipe Y-Brush

Sommaire de l'article+

Brushing your teeth with stitches in your mouth is possible, provided you adapt your technique so you do not pull on the threads or reopen the wound. Sutures keep the edges of the gum in place while it heals, so protecting them is essential. Here is how to keep your mouth clean without putting the stitches at risk.

the essentials

Brush the teeth away from the sutures normally, gently and with soft bristles.
Around the stitches, brush lightly without ever pulling, directing the bristles away from the thread.
A prescribed mouthwash helps clean the sutured area without mechanical friction.
Absorbable stitches fall out on their own; the others are removed by the practitioner on the scheduled date.

Why should you protect the stitches?

Stitches bring the tissues together so they can heal in the correct position. If a thread breaks or comes undone too soon, the edges of the wound may separate, delaying healing and increasing the risk of infection. Vigorous brushing, incorrectly placed dental floss or a water flosser directed at the area can catch on the stitches.

The goal is not to stop brushing, but to be more gentle around the sutures. The rest of the mouth should continue to be cleaned to prevent plaque buildup, the main cause of inflammation.

When carried out properly, this adapted hygiene routine limits discomfort and supports healing until the stitches are removed.

Conseils d’hygiène bucco-dentaire Y-Brush

Rejoignez le club !

Obtenez des conseils personnalisés pour une meilleure hygiène dentaire

Je me brosse les dents avec plaisir Je me brosse les dents parce qu'il le faut

How should you brush around sutures?

Choose a soft toothbrush. Very soft bristles reduce the risk of catching a thread and protect the gums.
Clean the healthy teeth first. Brush the rest of your mouth normally and gently.
Lightly brush the sutured area. Move the brush very close without applying pressure, directing the bristles toward the tooth rather than the thread.
Finish with a mouthwash. On the practitioner's advice, a mild antiseptic reaches the area without mechanical movement.

A sonic toothbrush with soft bristles helps control pressure because the movement comes from the brush rather than the wrist, giving you better control over contact with the sutured area. Once healing is well underway and with the practitioner's approval, the Y-Brush Ultra sonic toothbrush gently cleans the entire jaw, limiting forceful movements near the stitches.

What should and should not be done with sutures?

Do

Brush the neighboring teeth gently, direct the bristles away from the thread, use a prescribed mouthwash and eat soft foods on the opposite side.

Avoid

Pulling on the threads with your tongue, flossing over the suture, directing a water flosser at the wound and spitting forcefully.

Keeping your mouth clean without disturbing the stitches means finding the right balance between hygiene and caution. According to tests conducted by Y-Brush, the Y-Brush is 2× more efficient than traditional electric toothbrushes, allowing thorough cleaning with gentle pressure, which is useful when sutures make an area more fragile; the measurements are presented on the clinical studies page.

When are the stitches removed?

Absorbable threads dissolve on their own within one to three weeks. Non-absorbable threads are removed by the practitioner, often between seven and fifteen days after the procedure. A stitch that comes loose very early, significant bleeding or increasing pain should be reported.

Please note. Never cut a thread yourself or try to remove a stitch. If a suture is uncomfortable, comes undone or is accompanied by pain, contact your dentist, who will advise you on what to do.

With gentle, properly directed brushing, having stitches does not really complicate daily hygiene. To choose a toothbrush suited to this period, the surgical toothbrush selection brings together the gentlest models for fragile gums.

Frequently asked questions

Can you brush your teeth with stitches?

You can brush your teeth with stitches, while avoiding the sutured area. Clean the neighboring teeth normally with soft bristles, while brushing lightly around the threads without pulling. A prescribed mouthwash completes cleaning of the area.

How can you avoid catching a thread while brushing?

To avoid catching a thread, use a toothbrush with very soft bristles and direct the bristles toward the tooth, not the suture. Brush the area lightly without applying pressure and avoid flossing directly over the stitches until they are removed.

Do stitches in the mouth come out on their own?

Some stitches are absorbable and fall out on their own within one to three weeks, while non-absorbable threads are removed by the practitioner, often within one to two weeks. Never cut a thread yourself, even if it seems bothersome.

Can you use mouthwash with sutures?

A gentle mouthwash is often recommended with sutures to clean the area without friction. Use the prescribed product without vigorous rinsing, starting at the time indicated by the practitioner. It complements brushing the neighboring teeth but does not replace it.

What should you do if a stitch comes undone too soon?

If a stitch comes undone too soon, contact your dentist without trying to put it back yourself. Depending on the area and stage of healing, they will decide whether to simply monitor it or place another stitch. In the meantime, keep the area clean and avoid touching it.