Have you ever wondered what happens when you swallow toothpaste? While consuming a pea-sized amount of toothpaste is not a cause for alarm, it is crucial to be aware of the potential implications of consuming a significant amount. Find out what the effects are when you do not spit out after brushing or taste the flavor for the fun of it.

Fluoride toothpaste options are ideal for you and your child's oral hygiene. Fluoride is a vital ingredient in most toothpaste which helps protect against tooth decay and remineralize the enamel. However, there are concerns about the possible side effects of ingesting it. 

At Dr. Brite, we strive to produce plant-base toothpaste with hydroxyapatite instead of fluoride that are free from any toxins. Our ingredients are plant-based, fluoride-free, and have been tested for purity.

What Happens If You Swallow Toothpaste; the Side Effect

It's usually safe to swallow in small amounts. However, a toothpaste tube contains only 0.15 percent fluoride. To be fatal, an adult must consume the equivalent of eight tubes. 

The following are the side effects of fluoridated toothpaste consumption:

Dental Fluorosis

Dental fluorosis is not a disease and will not negatively impact your oral health despite the pejorative connotations the term may evoke. Instead, it describes the faint white spots that can appear on the teeth after too much fluoride consumption during childhood.

Such markings appear only on teeth that are yet to break through the gums. It cannot affect adult teeth or those that have erupted through the gums. The tooth enamel discoloration it causes is permanent but not harmful, so it's best to avoid it by avoiding swallowing too much toothpaste.

Fluorosis is more common in children under the age of 8. Therefore, it is vital to monitor children while brushing their teeth to prevent them from swallowing toothpaste. You can quickly determine the appropriate amount of toothpaste to use at different ages by following this simple guide:

• Younger than two years: You can use a tiny smear about the size of a rice grain.
• Two to six years old: Use a quantity slightly smaller than a pea.
• Six years to adulthood: You can use a pea-sized amount.

Excessively fluoride levels can also develop spots or white lines on the teeth in children eight years of age and younger. Cosmetic treatment is available however, the damage is irreversible. The teeth may erode under extreme circumstances.

Skeletal Fluorosis

Skeletal fluorosis, a condition of the bones and joints, can develop if a person consumes too much fluoride-containing toothpaste. The effects of this disease are much more unpleasant than the damage done to their enamel.

Skeletal fluorosis causes bones to harden and become less elastic, increasing the likelihood of bone fractures. Joining mobility issues in the joints are another possible result of the excess bone tissue that skeletal fluorosis causes.

Fluoride Poisoning

Consuming large amounts of fluoride all at once can lead to poisoning. Some of the symptoms include:

• Diarrhea
• Drooling 
• Convulsions
• Heart attack
• Eye irritation
• Nausea and vomiting
• Shallow breathing
• Irregular or slow heartbeats

The effectiveness of treatment is proportional to the amount of fluoride consumed and the speed with which it is delivered. A person has a better chance of recovering if they seek medical attention more quickly.

Neurological Problems

High fluoride intake during pregnancy will result in developmental delays in some children. An indication of this is the correlation between high fluoride exposure and IQ decline. Epidemiological studies indicate that fluoride is a neurotoxin that impairs the intellectual development of children.

Thyroid Imbalance

Damage to the parathyroid gland, which may result in hyperthyroidism, is another likely outcome of prolonged exposure to fluoride. Hypothyroidism indicates a deficiency in the production of vital hormones by the thyroid. Fatigue and hair loss are two typical symptoms of this condition. 

Bone problems are another possible consequence of hypothyroidism, as calcium deficiency can make bones more fragile and prone to breaking and fractures.

Can Swallowing Toothpaste Burn Your Throat?

Toothpaste is an essential everyday product we use. However, have you ever considered the possibility that using toothpaste could be harmful to your throat? When you swallow toothpaste in excess, your throat will likely get burnt.

You may be wondering why toothpaste burns your gums or your throat. Individuals may have different causes of these burns, and allergic reaction is one of them.

However, one of the primary causes could be that the toothpaste is unsuitable for you. Therefore, you must examine the ingredients before purchasing toothpaste. Doing so could prevent an allergic reaction as well. 

Flavoring agents and some chemicals like pyrophosphate cause lesions and burning sensations in the throat and mouth. If your child swallows toothpaste in excess, too, it will trigger burning sensations due to the chemicals and toothpaste flavors. Dentists recommend that individuals use only a pea-sized amount of toothpaste when brushing their teeth.