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Is it Okay to Swallow Toothpaste? Reasons Why It’s Never a Good Idea

  • April 30, 2021
  • 7:39 am
  • Dental Care
  • Parkcrest Dental Group, Toothpaste

Have you or your child ever swallowed a mouthful of toothpaste? There’s no need for real concern. Today’s blog from Parkcrest Dental Group explains why swallowing toothpaste isn’t dangerous but it isn’t ideal and how to avoid it in the future. 

Related Post: How To Choose The Right Toothpaste

What is Toothpaste Made Of? 

There are five key ingredients in all ADA-accepted toothpaste. These are used for health benefits and to make toothpaste actual paste. 

  1. Fluoride. Fluoride is a mineral found in nature, and it fights tooth decay. It hardens the enamel on your teeth, resisting acid and decay. When looking at the ingredients of toothpaste, look for words like “sodium fluoride”, “sodium monofluorophosphate,” and “stannous fluoride.” All of these are recognized by the FDA for cavity prevention. If none of these are on the active ingredient list, then it does not contain fluoride and will not protect you from tooth decay. 
  2. Sorbitol. This acts as a binding agent to hold the toothpaste together. It can also act as a non-cavity causing sweetening agent. 
  3. Glycerol. Along with toothpaste, this compound is found in yogurt and peanut butter because it adds moisture, protecting the food from drying out. It also gives a creamy texture so the toothpaste can move smoothly from the tube. 
  4. Calcium Carbonate. This is an abrasive used to remove plaque, stain and debris from teeth. Calcium carbonate also gives that slick, clean feeling to your teeth after brushing. 
  5. Sodium Lauryl Sulfate. This is the ingredient that makes the bubbles. While bubbles are fun and make us feel like it’s working, they can cause canker sores for some. If you suffer from canker sores, switch to a toothpaste that is “SLS-free.” 

Related Post: Do I Have to Buy Children’s Toothpaste for My Child? 

Symptoms After Ingestion 

The main ingredient in toothpaste is sodium fluoride, which is actually a toxin. This is why your toothpaste label says ‘do not ingest’. If someone consumes high levels of fluoride, it can cause several symptoms. However, an entire tube of toothpaste only contains 0.15 percent fluoride. An average adult would have to eat eight tubes of toothpaste for it to be deadly. 

However, ingesting a small amount can cause the following mild symptoms:

  • Upset stomach
  • Nausea 
  • Vomiting 

Related Post: Do I Need to Brush My Teeth Twice a Day?

Avoid Swallowing 

If you or your child have swallowed toothpaste, the best way to avoid it in the future is by putting less toothpaste on the brush. This reduces the foaming and bubbling, allowing you to spit easier. If you find that your child wants to swallow because they like the taste of their toothpaste (many children’s toothpastes have bubble gum and fruit flavors), switch flavors to one that’s less appealing. 

Visit Your Dentist at Parkcrest Dental Group

Brushing your teeth should occur after meals and before bed. When brushing isn’t an option, swish and rinse your mouth with water. As always, be sure and get regular dental checkups and cleanings every six months. Contact Parkcrest Dental Group online or call (417) 887-1220 to make an appointment.

Meet Some Dentists in Springfield, MO

Some of the doctors at Parkcrest Dental Group

Dr. Stuart Scott (top left) is our pediatric dentist. He earned his degree from the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Dentistry before completing a two-year residency at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio.

Dr. Steven Harrison (top center) is board-certified by the American Board of Orthodontics. Dr. Harrison, our orthodontist, graduated from the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Dentistry. He’s been with Parkcrest Dental Group since 1986.

Dr. Chanin Ropka (top right) attended UMKC before joining the United States Navy, where she served as the only dentist on board the USS Germantown and at Balboa Naval Hospital in San Diego. Dr. Ropka began at Parkcrest Dental in 2001.

Dr. Daniel Fannin (bottom left) graduated from UMKC School of Dentistry in 1997. He completed an Advanced Education in General Dentistry Residency in 1998 before joining Parkcrest Dental Group that same year.

Dr. Steven C. Sponenberg (bottom center) has been a Springfieldian his entire life. He graduated from Creighton University School of Dentistry in Omaha, Nebraska, in 2004 before joining Parkcrest Dental Group immediately after.

Dr. Jason Hall (bottom right) is also a native Springfieldian. He earned his DDS from the University of Missouri at Kansas City Dental School in 1997. He came to Parkcrest Dental Group in 2010. Dr. Hall’s father, Stan, is also a dentist.

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