Is swallowing toothpaste normal? Oh really! If you think swallowing toothpaste can clean your throat or gut then it will never happen. Find out why it’s important to avoid ingesting toothpaste and what to do if accidental ingestion occurs.
Toothpaste is designed to clean your teeth, protect them from bacteria, and freshen your breath. For this purpose, toothpaste is applied in a small amount to the teeth and gums and then spit out, children ingest it accidentally or with consent. However, if you swallow toothpaste accidentally how much does it harm you? Let’s delve into the details to understand its effects and implications—risks due to their chemical properties.
According to a case report, a girl ingested more fluoride than the required dose through her toothpaste. Consequently, she developed dental fluorosis due to excessive ingestion of fluoride toothpaste during tooth brushing resulting in a chalky white to brown discoloration of all permanent teeth in her mouth.
Fluoride Toxicity: In small amounts, fluoride is beneficial but can be toxic if consumed in large doses. Excessive fluoride ingestion through a fluoride toothpaste can lead to symptoms such as abdominal pain and, in severe cases, even more serious health complications like skeletal fluorosis.
Hydrogen Peroxide Risks: Toothpaste with hydrogen peroxide is often used for whitening purposes. Swallowing toothpaste containing hydrogen peroxide can irritate the stomach lining or throat and may cause more severe health complications if consumed in larger amounts.
What Happens If You Swallow Toothpaste Everyday?
What do you do for oral hygiene and an attractive smile? Some people love to use a large amount of toothpaste and assume that it can clean and enhance the brightness of their teeth which is baseless as as you might like making bubbles in your mouth while brushing with an extra amount of toothpaste. Have you ever read the instructions of using a toothpaste labeled on it? One of them is, to apply the toothpaste in a pea-sized amount. Ingesting toothpaste isn’t safe. Regular swallowing can lead to adverse effects.
Toothpaste contains active ingredients like fluoride, detergents, abrasives, and sometimes hydrogen peroxide, which are safe in small amounts but harmful if consumed daily and excessively. However, by using top-quality toothpaste you can get healthy teeth with a charming smile.
What Happens If You Swallow Hydrogen Peroxide Toothpaste?
Hydrogen peroxide is a mild antiseptic used for antibacterial and whitening effects. In some toothpastes, it is usually 1-3% which is a low concentration. These toothpastes are designed for dental care and not for ingestion. It can be used in small amounts but if it is used in large amounts it can have side effects too. At the same time as effective when used as directed, if it is swallowed in terms of toothpaste it can lead to various effects. Here is the detailed breakdown of possible effects;
Possible Effects:
Nausea: In the gastrointestinal tract, hydrogen peroxide can lead to stomach upset, cramping, discomfort, diarrhea, bloating, or nausea.
Foaming and Vomiting: Hydrogen peroxide is reactive so it can create foam when mixed with stomach fluids and acids following the vomiting.
Tissue Damage: High concentrations (>10 %) of hydrogen peroxide can cause irritation or burns in the mouth, throat, or mucous membranes in the stomach.
Although most over-the-counter kinds of toothpaste use very low concentrations of hydrogen peroxide, avoiding ingestion is crucial to prevent any unwanted effects.
What Happens If You Swallow Fluoride Toothpaste? Understanding Risks and Preventions
What is fluoride?
Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral and is often called nature’s cavity fighter. The surface of our teeth (tooth enamel) is prevented from decaying by the use of fluoride. But, excess of everything is bad. Swallowing large amounts of toothpaste containing fluoride may increase fluoride levels in your blood supply and develop the following risks.
Potential Risks:
Acute Fluoride Toxicity: large amounts of fluoride toothpaste ingestion can cause nausea, abdominal pain, and vomiting. In harsh cases, it can affect the nervous systems and cardiovascular system.
Chronic Fluoride Exposure: There is a risk of skeletal fluorosis, a condition that weakens the bone as well as joints by the regular consumption of fluoride.
Kidney Strain: Excessive fluoride can put unnecessary stress on the kidneys, impairing their function over time.
Preventing Toothpaste Ingestion
If you want to protect yourself from the risks of toothpaste swallowing you must know how to brush? What type of brush are you comfortable with? And which toothpaste is good for you? By knowing the harms of the key ingredients of toothpaste we must prevent them from swallowing it while brushing. But if your child swallows a large amount of toothpaste force him/her to vomit otherwise call your dentist. Here are some solutions you should consider for your oral health;
Supervise Children: Monitor your child under six during brushing to ensure they use the correct amount and spit out the toothpaste.
Select a good toothpaste: You should consider fluoride-free or low-fluoride toothpaste for young children or as recommended by dentists.
Spitting: Proper guidance to children and adults to avoid swallowing or ingesting toothpaste and rinse thoroughly after brushing may help to improve oral and overall health.
Want to boost confidence? Here is the solution:
After selecting the right toothpaste, upgrade your oral care routine with a sonic toothbrush can significantly improve dental health and give an attractive smile. Smiling is a part of personality. Healthy and clean teeth give confidence while communicating in gatherings or even while giving a presentation. Sonic toothbrushes, like those offered by Oclean, give full-fledge cleaning with high-frequency vibrations. Being gentle on sensitive teeth and gums.
Enhance your oral hygiene routine with your sonic toothbrush incorporating Oclean’s innovative toothbrush sterilizers or water flosser. These tools help in maintaining a clean and healthy mouth, with fresh breath, complementing the benefits of regular brushing.
Conclusion
Swallowing toothpaste in small amounts on an irregular basis is generally harmless, but regular ingestion of it with its specific ingredients like hydrogen peroxide or fluoride in considerable amounts can create health risks. In addition, by practicing good brushing habits, supervising children, and investing in high-quality oral care products, you can ensure a healthy and more effective dental hygiene routine.
For the most favorable oral care, explore the highly developed range of sonic toothbrushes and accessories available at Oclean. Their ground-breaking solutions provide various oral health needs, ensuring you and your family achieve the best possible dental care.
References
"Toothpaste Overdose," Mount Sinai Health Library. Link
"Why You Shouldn't Swallow Toothpaste," Cool Dental. Link
"Ingesting Toothpaste," Jackson Smile Center. Link