Losing a tooth is a common experience, and a loose tooth is often accidentally swallowed during eating or sleeping. While the immediate reaction may be concern or panic, swallowing a tooth is generally not considered a medical emergency. Most often, the swallowed tooth will pass through the body without causing any issues.
Is Swallowing a Tooth Dangerous?
Swallowing a tooth is harmless, as the object is small and smooth enough to navigate the gastrointestinal tract. The tooth is primarily composed of hard tissues like enamel and dentin, which are not broken down by the body’s digestive enzymes or stomach acids. A swallowed tooth usually travels through the digestive organs and is eliminated naturally.
A more serious, though rarer, risk is aspiration, which occurs when the tooth enters the airway leading to the lungs instead of the esophagus. Aspiration can cause immediate symptoms like coughing or choking. Sometimes the object can lodge deep in the lungs and cause delayed complications. The distinction between swallowing (ingestion) and aspiration (inhalation) determines the level of concern.
Deciduous Versus Permanent Teeth
The type of tooth swallowed makes a difference in the risk profile due to structural variations. Deciduous teeth, commonly known as baby teeth, are smaller. Before a baby tooth naturally falls out, its root undergoes resorption, where the root structure dissolves. This process leaves the shed tooth with little to no root, making it smaller and smoother than a permanent tooth.
Permanent teeth present a greater risk because of their size and full root structure. These teeth are larger and denser, with long, robust roots. If a permanent tooth is swallowed, it may have jagged edges if broken or fractured, potentially causing minor irritation to the digestive tract lining. Despite these differences, the vast majority of both deciduous and permanent teeth pass uneventfully through the system.
The Tooth’s Path Through the Digestive System
Once a tooth is swallowed, it immediately enters the esophagus. The tooth is then propelled downward by peristalsis, the involuntary, wave-like muscle contractions that move food through the digestive tract. Upon reaching the stomach, the tooth is exposed to highly acidic gastric juices, but its hard enamel and dentin composition resist breakdown.
From the stomach, the tooth moves into the small intestine and then into the large intestine. The tooth continues to be moved by peristalsis. In most cases, the tooth will be passed in the stool within 24 to 48 hours of ingestion. The speed of elimination can vary depending on the individual’s metabolism and diet, but passage is expected within a few days.
When to Seek Medical Attention
Certain symptoms warrant immediate medical evaluation. The most pressing concern is if the tooth has been aspirated, suggested by persistent coughing, wheezing, or difficulty breathing immediately following the event. These respiratory symptoms mean the tooth may be blocking a part of the airway.
Signs of a possible gastrointestinal issue include persistent or severe abdominal pain, repeated vomiting, or blood in the stool. These symptoms could suggest a rare obstruction or irritation of the digestive tract lining. Medical attention should also be sought if the tooth has not been located in the stool within a few days, or if the individual experiences a fever signaling an infection.