What Happens if You Accidentally Swallow Toothpaste
Brushing your teeth is a daily habit, but what happens if you accidentally swallow some toothpaste, whether you’re an adult or a curious little one? While it’s a common concern, toothpaste isn’t meant to be ingested.
Let’s delve into what happens in such situations and how to minimize the risks.
One primary ingredient in toothpaste, the most important one, is fluoride. Fluoride is an active ingredient that protects your teeth against cavities and decay.
It is also what makes toothpaste potentially harmful when consumed in large quantities.
What Happens if You Accidentally Swallow Toothpaste
Fluorosis
This only affects children and causes the discoloration of developing teeth. It appears as white or brown spots on the tooth enamel and is caused by excessive fluoride consumption. Fluorosis only develops on undeveloped teeth (still in the gums). Hence, it mainly affects children under the age of 4- 6; after 8, you can worry less about them developing fluorosis.
However, do the following to ensure healthy dental for your children:
Ensure your children use only a dollop of toothpaste to prevent fluorosis and poisoning.
Get children’s toothpaste for them as this contains only an acceptable level of fluoride for their age range.
Also, monitor them during this process and ensure they spit out toothpaste.
In the worst-case scenario, you can switch to a non-fluoride for a little while if they are particularly prone to swallowing toothpaste.
Fluoride Poisoning
Fluoride poisoning typically results from ingesting a large amount of fluoride at once.
Symptoms of fluoride poisoning include:
- Abdominal pain and possible intestinal blockage.
- cardiac arrhythmia
- Tremors or uncontrollable shaking
- A salty or soapy taste in the mouth
- Excessive salivation or drooling
- Shallow breathing
- Nausea and vomiting
- Convulsions
- Diarrhea
- Difficulty breathing
- Headache
- Weakness or fatigue
- Drooling
- Shock
- Tremor
Skeletal Fluorosis
Alongside dental fluorosis, excess fluoride consumption may cause your bones to harden and lose elasticity. This makes it prone to fractures and issues with joints and mobility.
Hyperthyroidism
Damage to your parathyroid gland can lead to hyperthyroidism. Hypothyroidism is when your thyroid is underproducing certain vital hormones. A few common symptoms of this disease are fatigue and hair loss. Hypothyroidism can also lead to bone issues and cause skeletal fluorosis.
Early puberty, infertility, and other possible reproductive issues
Acne breakouts and other skin issues
High blood pressure, arteriosclerosis or calcification, cardiac insufficiency, myocardial damage, and even heart failure, Osteoarthritis, bone cancer, or temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ)
Treatment
- Treatment in the hospital involves poison control, such as activated charcoal.
- Oxygenation and breathing support.
- Calcium
- Gastric lavage
After the 48-hour mark, the chances of a full recovery are high.
Prevention
When children swallow large amounts of toothpaste, they must go to the hospital.
Rinse your mouth thoroughly with water when you do.
Drinking water or milk can help dilute the toothpaste in your stomach.
Accidentally swallowing a small amount of toothpaste is usually not harmful and may only cause minor stomach upset. The amount of fluoride found in toothpaste is not considered harmful and is approved by the FDA for dental hygiene use. However, it would help if you never intentionally or excessively consumed toothpaste.
