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A 33-year-old member asked:

What happens if i accidentally swallow toothpaste? could you die from doing this?

7 doctor answers16 doctors weighed in
Dr. Joseph Capista
Specializes in Cosmetic Dentistry
No you will not die: No you will not die. However it is ot intended to be swallowed but if small amounts are swallowed there will be no harm.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
Dr. John Rohm
Cosmetic Dentistry 35 years experience
No: Toothpaste is just soap, sand and a little sweetener. I you swallow just a small amount while brushing it will have no effect. You would become sick long before you ingested enough to do any damage. We're talking tubes, cases of tubes. At this point it wouldn't be accidental.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
Dr. Hetesh Ranchod -- Dr. Ranch
Dentistry 28 years experience
No: It will make you sick to the stomach before you reach toxic levels. Kids, however, can harm their still developing permanent teeth if they routinely swallow even small amounts of tooth paste over a period of time.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
Dr. Jerry Hu
Dr. Jerry Huanswered
25 years experience
No: Just don't make it a habit of swallowing toothpaste. Too much Fluoride can cause fluorosis, and GI upset...
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
Dr. Alex Shvartsman
Cosmetic Dentistry 27 years experience
Depends: It depends on how much and how many tubes.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
Dr. Ashish Naik
General Practice 18 years experience
Nausea: Nausea is likely, but it depends on the amount for more severe reactions.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
Dr. Arnold Malerman
Orthodontics 55 years experience
Only: Only if you swallowed bathtubs full each day. You would have to consume huge amounts for it to be fatal. You swallow tap water all the time. It's chlorinated to help prevent Typhoid, yet chlorine is toxic if huge amounts are ingested. Swallowing a little bit of toothpaste, like swallowing a little bit of water, is not going to hurt you.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.

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Last updated Oct 7, 2020

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