Teeth can accidentally be swallowed if your child has a loose tooth that comes out while they are eating, or if someone sustains a traumatic injury to their teeth. You may not notice immediately that a tooth has come out, which is probably a good sign that you have nothing to worry about.
Can swallowing a tooth be harmful?
Most of the time, swallowing a tooth is not a big deal. Especially if it is a baby tooth or a small piece of a tooth that is damaged, it will most likely pass through the digestive tract with no issues. Even if a tooth is large or has sharp edges, it is unlikely to cause an issue. Inhaling a tooth into your respiratory tract is a different matter, and can be cause for concern.
What’s the difference between inhaling and swallowing a tooth?
Inhaling a foreign object into your airway is also called aspiration, and you may feel like something “went down the wrong pipe”. You or your child will probably experience symptoms like coughing, choking, and possibly difficulty breathing. A tooth is usually not big enough to completely block the airway, but if it is not removed, complications including infection can occur later.
If you think you or your child may have inhaled a piece of tooth, seek medical attention.
Are teeth digestible?
If you are going by the strict definition of digest, which is “to break down in the alimentary canal into substances that can be absorbed and used by the body”, then no. Teeth will not break down quickly enough to be absorbed by the body.
Will a tooth dissolve in your stomach?
Your stomach is extremely acidic with a pH of 1.5 to 3.5, which may partially dissolve the tooth. It is unlikely that the tooth will dissolve completely.
Can you poop out a tooth?
Yes, but there is no reason to retrieve a tooth that has passed through your digestive tract. If it is a permanent tooth it will be too late to try to re-implant it. If it is a baby tooth, the tooth fairy will usually accept a note explaining the situation.
How long does it take to poop out a swallowed tooth?
It generally takes about 36 hours for food and other swallowed objects to move through your digestive tract, and a tooth will be no different.
Can you swallow a tooth in your sleep?
It is possible to swallow a tooth in your sleep, but it is very unlikely. Loose teeth generally need some degree of force to actually come out.
What should I do if I swallow a tooth?
If you swallow a tooth, you probably have nothing to worry about.
Contact your doctor if you have symptoms including difficulty breathing, coughing, wheezing, and neck or chest pain that may indicate the tooth is in your respiratory tract instead of your digestive tract.
