What Happens if You Swallow a Tooth?

Picture this:

You notice after lunch that one of your teeth is missing and it dawns on you that you may have swallowed it.

Or maybe your child accidentally swallowed one of their baby teeth. Do they need to see a Terre Haute pediatric dentist?

What should you do next? Is swallowing a tooth dangerous?

Here's what you need to know.

Is Swallowing a Tooth Dangerous?

In most cases, swallowing a tooth will not cause any health issues. Teeth are small enough to fit and pass undisturbed through the digestive tract. Their edges are often not sharp enough to cause any harm to the esophagus or the intestines on their way out of your body.

The prospects are even better when we're talking about baby teeth. Their roots dissolve as they are getting ready to fall out and the tooth is considerably smaller than an adult one. Baby teeth are very likely to pass through the digestive system without causing any harm or complication.

What Will Happen When You Swallow a Tooth?

Most likely, nothing out of the ordinary will happen when you swallow a tooth. It's very possible that you (or your child) will not even notice that you swallowed it until someone points it out.

The tooth will leave your body in 24 to 48 hours after ingesting it. Don't try to induce vomiting or take any laxatives to speed this process. This will only cause more harm than good and it's better to wait for the tooth to naturally exit your system.

When Should You Call a Doctor?

Although more often than not swallowing a tooth doesn't cause any trouble, sometimes it can go the wrong way and get trapped in the tracheobronchial tree. This is usually a medical emergency and you need to get in touch with a doctor immediately if you also notice the following symptoms:

• Fever
• Chest and abdominal pain
• Trouble swallowing
• Blood in stool or vomit

How to Prevent Swallowing a Tooth

The chances of an adult swallowing a tooth are significantly smaller than in the case of children. But, to minimize this risk it's best to:

• Wear a protective mouthguard when playing contact sports
• Get dental treatment if you have a severely decayed tooth or periodontal disease since it can break from the force applied when biting

If your child has a wiggly tooth, you can ask them to be more careful when eating and to tell you when the tooth gets very loose.

Do I Need to See a Dentist?

Regardless of the reason the tooth fell, you may be looking for a way to restore it now. At Vivid Smiles, you can get a dental bridge that looks and feels natural.

Send us a message online or call us at (812) 803-2340 to request an appointment with Dr. Roshini Durga Paruchuri or Dr. Nilanchal Sahai.