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It is imperative to teach your toddler proper oral hygiene as they grow. However, the toothpaste may come with a price, as your toddler is likely to swallow the toothpaste at some point during their learning journey. When you discover that your toddler ate toothpaste on purpose or accidentally, you may be worried.

The key takeaways

When consumed in high doses, toothpaste contains high levels of fluoride. The immediate effects may include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Over time, they may suffer from tooth decay and dental fluorosis.

You don’t need to take your child to the hospital if they swallow toothpaste within the recommended dosage range.

Immediately contact the Poison Control Center if your child swallows toothpaste in large amounts. Do not force your child to vomit.

Your child should be taught proper brushing habits, such as brushing without swallowing toothpaste.

Choosing fluoride-free kids toothpaste is the best choice for your child’s oral hygiene. These toothpastes are made of natural ingredients such as peppermint oil and calcium carbonate, which strengthen enamel. In this guide, we’ll learn about the side effects of eating toothpaste, what happens when your child swallows toothpaste and how to prevent it.

What should I do if my toddler ate toothpaste?

It is imperative to determine how much toothpaste your baby swallowed before seeking medical attention if he or she swallowed toothpaste containing fluoride.

There is no need to worry if the child swallowed the recommended amount of a pea size since the amount cannot be toxic.

It is possible for a child to experience mild stomach discomfort, vomiting, or diarrhea if they swallow toothpaste in a large dose. First, stay calm. Next, give the child calcium-rich beverages. Calcium binds to fluoride, reducing stomach discomfort and other unpleasant symptoms.

You do not need to worry if your child ate toothpaste that does not contain fluoride, as these types are non-toxic. For instance, Dr. Brite’s products are high-quality, clinically proven, toxic-free kids oral care products made from carefully selected plant-based ingredients. In our kids’ oral care products, hydroxyapatite, a naturally occurring mineral that strengthens, whitens, and protects the teeth, is the main ingredient, which is fluoride-free and fluoride-free.

It is best to seek medical attention if you find your child sucking on a fluoride toothpaste tube and suspect they may have consumed large amounts.

The situation can escalate if you force your child to vomit, whether the child swallowed small or large amounts.

Is Toothpaste Toxic to Toddlers?

There is only 1.3 mg of fluoride in a typical squeeze of toothpaste, so the amount a child swallows is nowhere near the amount that can cause serious harm.

Although toothpaste is recommended for dental care, it contains fluoride, a chemical that can cause harm to the body if consumed in large amounts.

When a 10kg child eats toothpaste that contains 50 mg fluoride, they are considered to have ingested a toxic dose. They may experience nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain, or periostitis.

Is it possible for a child to get sick from eating toothpaste?

It is possible for a child to become ill if they consume large amounts of fluoride toothpaste. Fluoride in toothpaste binds to enamel ions to form fluorapatite, a substance that protects enamel from cavities. Water-soluble toothpaste ions form hydrofluoric acid when they bind with hydrogen in the stomach. The corrosive acid irritates the stomach lining, causing nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting when swallowed.

After swallowing toothpaste, a child is usually given a glass of milk or yogurt because the calcium in the milk binds the fluoride to create inert salts that are excreted by the body.

A child may develop a cosmetic condition known as dental fluorosis if they ingest fluoride toothpaste regularly. Fluorosis causes tooth decay and changes the appearance of tooth enamel, leaving it with permanent cloudy patches and pits. If fluoride is ingested in large amounts for a prolonged period, it can lead to skeletal fluorosis, a condition that causes stiff ligaments, pain, and a lot of discomfort.

What can I do to prevent my child from eating toothpaste?

The following are a few proper brushing habits you should practice if your child wants to eat toothpaste all the time.

The Right Amount of Toothpaste

To prevent your child from swallowing toothpaste, apply the right amount when brushing their teeth. If your child is under the age of three, you should brush their teeth with a smear of toothpaste the size of a rice grain. Children between three and six years should start with a pea-sized amount of toothpaste.

Spitting and rinsing should be encouraged

By spitting and rinsing between brushes, you can prevent your child from swallowing toothpaste. Spitting prevents toothpaste from entering the digestive system, while rinsing removes any toothpaste residue.

Introduce a gargling game while brushing your child’s teeth to encourage spitting. Keep a glass of clean water by the sink and play the game several times between brushes. Spitting and rinsing reinforces the idea that toothpaste shouldn’t be swallowed.

Use minty toothpaste flavors

It is common for children to swallow toothpaste that has candy-like flavors. You can avoid temptation by switching to minty toothpaste or another flavor that may not be appealing enough to eat. Switching to fluoridated toothpaste with powerful flavors may discourage your child from brushing.

Brush with your child together

When brushing your teeth with your child, make it fun by playing a song or imitating their favorite character to keep them engaged.

It’s important to brush your tongue, spit and rinse, and brush for more than two minutes because your child is likely to follow what you do.

Keeping the fluoridated toothpaste away and preventing them from swallowing will also help you apply the pea-sized amount your child needs.

Exercise the patient

As your child learns and explores new things, they may swallow toothpaste just out of curiosity. The phase will pass, and the child will outgrow the behavior. However, make sure your child is supervised and offered only the right amount to avoid ugly situations.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best age for a child to start brushing independently?

As soon as your child reaches the age of 6, he or she should begin brushing independently. However, you should supervise them and guide them to ensure they do not swallow toothpaste and brush hard-to-reach areas. Eventually, they will master the skill, and you can even introduce mouthwash to boost their protection.

What Is the Best Toothpaste for My Child?

The fluoride-free toothpaste contains ingredients derived from plants, making it safe for your child to eat while brushing. If you are concerned that your child may ingest toothpaste, choose a fluoride-free brand. It will give you peace of mind even if your child swallows a large amount of toothpaste.

What’s the best way to get my child to brush their teeth?

If you want to make brushing fun and enjoyable for your child, choose sweet flavors such as strawberry. For example, kids’ mineral bundles-strawberry sky from Dr. Brite have strawberry flavors that leave an appealing taste in the mouth.

Should I rush my child to the hospital if he swallows toothpaste?

It is not a medical emergency to have your child swallow toothpaste, so you should not rush to the hospital. It is important to seek medical attention if the child has prolonged nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Depending on the amount of toothpaste they ate, a calcium-based snack can alleviate stomach discomfort. For treatment advice, call the Poison Control Center.

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