Discovering your child has eaten toothpaste can be concerning. This is a common occurrence, often because children are attracted to appealing flavors. While alarming, ingesting a small amount of toothpaste is generally not severe. Knowing the appropriate actions to take can provide clarity and peace of mind.
Immediate Actions
Assess the situation immediately. Determine approximately how much toothpaste was ingested and if it contains fluoride. Most toothpastes contain fluoride.
Gently wipe any remaining toothpaste from your child’s mouth with a clean cloth or tissue. If your child is old enough to follow instructions and can spit, encourage them to rinse their mouth thoroughly with water. This helps remove any lingering toothpaste residue.
Offer your child small amounts of water or milk to drink. Water helps dilute the ingested toothpaste, and milk’s calcium can bind with fluoride, potentially easing stomach discomfort. Continue to observe your child closely for any developing symptoms.
When to Seek Professional Help
While small ingestions typically cause only mild symptoms, certain circumstances necessitate professional medical advice. Fluoride toothpaste, especially adult formulations, poses a greater concern when swallowed in larger quantities. Seek guidance if your child has ingested more than a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste, or a significant portion of a tube.
Specific symptoms should prompt immediate contact with a poison control center or medical attention. These include persistent nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or stomach pain, as fluoride can irritate the stomach lining. More severe symptoms requiring urgent care include drowsiness, irritability, convulsions, tremors, or unusual behavior.
The national Poison Control Center hotline, 1-800-222-1222, is available 24/7 to provide expert, product-specific advice based on the amount and type of toothpaste ingested. It is important not to induce vomiting, as this can worsen the situation. If your child is unconscious, experiencing difficulty breathing, or displaying severe symptoms, call emergency services immediately.
Preventing Future Incidents
Implementing preventive measures can significantly reduce the risk of future toothpaste ingestions. Always store toothpaste, particularly fluoride-containing varieties, out of your child’s reach and sight, preferably in a high cabinet or a locked drawer. Treating toothpaste as a medicine can help reinforce its proper handling.
Supervise children during tooth brushing sessions to ensure they use the correct amount and learn to spit rather than swallow. For children under three years old, only a smear of fluoride toothpaste, about the size of a grain of rice, is recommended. For children aged three and older, a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste is appropriate.
Consider using non-fluoride training toothpaste for very young children still learning to brush who are more likely to swallow it. As children mature, consistently teach them the importance of spitting out toothpaste after brushing.