Swallowing a tooth or dental fragment can be alarming, whether it involves a child losing a baby tooth or an adult with a broken restoration. This situation is relatively common, often occurring during meals, sleep, or following an injury or dental procedure. While the initial reaction might be panic, the human body is remarkably efficient at passing small, non-toxic foreign objects. The primary concern shifts to monitoring the object’s journey through the digestive system. This analysis explains what happens when a tooth is swallowed and identifies signs that indicate a problem.
Why Teeth Cannot Be Digested
Teeth cannot be digested due to their unique biological composition. Teeth are not made of bone, but are composed of dense, calcified tissues. The outermost layer, enamel, is the hardest substance in the human body, consisting of approximately 96% mineral content. This mineral content is primarily a crystalline form of calcium phosphate known as hydroxyapatite. The strength of this structure makes it highly resistant to the body’s powerful digestive mechanisms. The stomach’s hydrochloric acid and digestive enzymes, such as pepsin, are incapable of dissolving a tooth. As a result, the tooth or fragment passes through the entire gastrointestinal tract intact, yielding no nutritional value.
The Typical Journey Through the Body
Once swallowed, the tooth begins its transit through the digestive system, starting in the esophagus. The esophagus, a muscular tube, propels the tooth toward the stomach, aided by saliva acting as a lubricant. In the stomach, the tooth is subjected to the acidic environment, which fails to break it down. From the stomach, the tooth moves into the small intestine, where the majority of nutrient absorption occurs, and then into the large intestine. For most small, smooth, or blunt objects, this passage is uneventful and usually goes unnoticed. The entire transit time typically ranges between 24 and 72 hours, with the tooth eventually being expelled in the stool. This spontaneous passage occurs in over 80% of all swallowed foreign body cases, provided the object is not unusually large or sharp.
Potential Risks and Warning Signs
Although most swallowed teeth pass harmlessly, two main risks exist: aspiration and physical damage. Aspiration occurs if the tooth enters the trachea and airways rather than the esophagus. If the object enters the lungs, it can cause severe coughing, wheezing, or difficulty breathing, which constitutes a medical emergency. The second risk relates to the tooth’s physical characteristics, especially if it is a broken fragment with sharp or jagged edges. A sharp object can irritate or cause a tear, known as perforation, in the lining of the gastrointestinal tract. Alternatively, a large or oddly shaped tooth could become lodged, causing an obstruction in narrower areas, such as the lower esophagus, the pylorus, or intestinal bends. Warning signs of obstruction or perforation include severe, persistent abdominal pain, recurring vomiting, fever, or the presence of blood in the stool or vomit.
When to Consult a Medical Professional
Immediate medical attention is necessary if signs of aspiration or severe obstruction are present. Trouble breathing, persistent coughing, or a sensation of something stuck in the chest requires an emergency evaluation. Symptoms such as severe cramping, the inability to pass gas or stool, or persistent vomiting indicate a possible blockage or perforation and warrant an immediate trip to the emergency room. Even without severe symptoms, consult a doctor or dentist for guidance, especially if the swallowed item was a sharp fragment or a dental restoration. If the tooth was small and the individual remains asymptomatic, the recommended course of action is to monitor the stool for its passage. A medical consultation is appropriate if the tooth has not been located in the stool within five to seven days, as this may suggest it has become lodged somewhere in the digestive tract.