What to Do if Your Child Eats Toothpaste

As parents ourselves, we understand first hand that children often like to consume things they shouldn’t. Toothpaste is no exception! As your child gains independence and starts taking their oral hygiene routine into their own hands, it’s important to know what’s in toothpaste, how much is safe, and what to do if they swallow some.

What’s in Toothpaste?

Most toothpastes contain sodium fluoride, the main active ingredient that helps strengthen enamel and prevent cavities. Sodium fluoride is FDA approved as a safe and effective anti-cavity agent for oral healthcare products. Other common toothpaste ingredients include mild abrasives to clean teeth, humectants to prevent drying, flavoring agents, and detergents to create that foamy feel when brushing.

Is Fluoride in Toothpaste Safe to Ingest?

Yes, in small amounts, fluoride is safe. The small bit of toothpaste a child might swallow while brushing isn’t harmful. However, swallowing large quantities of fluoride toothpaste can cause an upset stomach and, in very rare cases, more serious symptoms. Fluoride is also present in low quantities in all drinking water to help minimize cavities and decay.

If your child ingests some toothpaste while brushing their teeth, they should be completely fine! It would take them eating multiple tubes of toothpaste to have any kind of serious reaction to the fluoride.

How to Prevent Your Child From Eating Toothpaste

Many kid’s toothpastes are created with delicious, yummy flavors. We understand that the flavors may tempt your child to sneak into the bathroom and eat the toothpaste on its own. We recommend putting the toothpaste on your child’s toothbrush and then placing the tube completely out of reach so that they don’t have access to it. Keep reminding your child to spit and rinse while they’re brushing their teeth and let them know that swallowing their toothpaste is not okay.

Signs Your Child Ingested Too Much Toothpaste

If your child eats a lot of toothpaste and therefore ingests too much fluoride, they will most likely get an upset stomach and vomit. If this is the case, we recommend calling your dentist and poison control right away. They may also experience dental fluorosis, which appears as faint white or brown streaks on permanent teeth. However, this is highly unlikely unless an excessive amount of fluoride is consumed.

Fluoride toothpaste plays a key role in keeping teeth strong and cavity-free, but a little supervision goes a long way in helping kids use it safely. With the right habits and guidance, your child will grow up knowing how to care for their smile with confidence.

If you have any questions about your child’s toothpaste, please feel free to contact Jackson Smiles Family Dentistry. Our team is more than happy to answer them and help you get the information you need!