Fluoride is a member of the halogen family. Naturally, it occurs in air, earth, topsoil, seawater, and freshwater. This mineral makes your teeth stronger and whiter.
It prevents our teeth from cavities or erosion. The amount of fluoride in our surroundings is not enough to make our bones and teeth strong. So it is often added to the community water supply. In Australia, since the 1960s it has been added to the community supply of water.
Fluoride is also helpful in disrupting dental plaque which enhances tooth decay. So, it is an essential part of dental products such as toothpaste and mouthwash.
During brushing of teeth if someone swallows the paste with fluoride and frightens what will be its result. In the confusion, a question emerged.
What happens if you swallow fluoride? A small amount of fluoride digests easily and causes no problem. Ingesting large amounts will be toxic and increase fluoride levels in the blood. This will disturb your stomach and cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. In young children, it can cause fluorosis in which stains and lines appear on the teeth.
The balanced amount of fluoride recommended by the dentist is necessary to keep our teeth strong, whiter, shiny, and beautiful. If you are interested in oral health read this article and also share it with others.
What Happens If You Swallow Fluoride
Fluoride is a mineral that strengthens the outer covering of teeth, called enamel. Enamel is a protective layer that resists the acid, produced by bacteria and sugar in your diet. Fluoride toothpaste helps maintain this layer.
A little amount of toothpaste is enough for brushing, but sometimes children place a large amount of paste on their brush and swallow it. This will affect their stomach.
Eating fluoride in a short period produces uneasiness, nausea, vomiting, and stomach pain.
So train your child that toothpaste is only for brushing not for eating, and also fix its amount.
What Happens If You Eat After Fluoride
Eating just after fluoride treatment is not recommended. During this treatment, more concentrated fluoride is used. It is necessary to rest the teeth for at least 30 minutes. When teeth completely absorb fluoride, you may start your liquid or solid diet.
If you start just after fluoride treatment acid directly attacks your sensitive teeth. This demineralizes the enamel and makes it thinner and weaker.
What Happens If You Eat Fluoride
Technically fluoride is thought to be toxic. But its small amount is nontoxic. Fluoride present in toothpaste, gel, or mouthwash is called topical toothpaste. These are only used on the teeth or gums to strengthen the white part of the teeth. After brushing spit or rinse the mouth.
Don’t consume it. If you eat it it will upset your stomach.
What Happens If You Swallow Fluoride Toothpaste
If you take a small amount of fluoride (the amount which you used for brushing) it is completely safe to digest. But if the amount of fluoride paste is more than normal it hurts your stomach. Abundant of it will be harmful and toxic.
Fluoride is essential for teeth to save them from decay. Its ingredient is not useful for your other body parts.
Why Can’t You Swallow Fluoride?
Fluoride is not allowed to be swallowed because its active ingredient sodium fluoride is poisonous to our body. This topical fluoride is only for the surface of teeth, not for the rest of the body.
This is the main reason, all fluoride toothpaste in the market of the USA and Canada is required by law to be labeled with a poison warning sign.
What Happens If You Eat After Fluoride Treatment
If you have taken fluoride (fluoride-based) treatment, you need to be careful about eating right after you have brushed or had dental treatment. Eating too soon will lead to gastrointestinal disorders. You should wait for at least 6 hours for proper digestion before you eat anything.
What happens if you eat right after fluoridation? It is safe if you have taken fluoridated treatment and you have eaten it on time. It is also safe if you have taken fluoridated treatment and have not eaten anything yet. But if you have eaten something before taking fluoridated treatment, you should wait for some time for proper digestion.
Fluoride is a chemical used in toothpaste and dental treatments. It helps prevent tooth decay and is recommended by dentists. If you don’t brush or treat your teeth properly, fluoride can build up in your mouth. This accumulation may cause a lot of damage to your teeth and your gums.
Fluoride Treatment
In fluoride treatment, fluoride is used in a more concentrated form. This quantity is safer and more effective in the treatment of dental caries. Fluoride treatment is two types:
- Acidulated Phosphate Fluoride
- Neutral Sodium Fluoride
The neutral sodium fluoride method is used for persons who have dry mouths. Fluoride treatment is organized in various forms like varnish, foam, and gel,—this treatment gives whiter teeth.
After the treatment teeth are extremely sensitive so avoid cold or hot drinks. Also, avoid acidic food because this will increase the sensitivity.
Can Swallowing Fluoride Make You Sick
In fewer quantities, fluoride is not dangerous, but toxicity increases when taken in large quantities.
Its overdose leads to extreme salivation or an increase in thirst, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
What Happens If You Swallow Fluoride Mouthwash
The dentist advises spitting or rinsing the fluoride mouthwash. The Fluoride mouthwash shows extra beneficial effects on teeth. If this solution with saliva accidentally enters your stomach, it creates uneasiness or nausea. Don’t panic, a small scruple will never harm you.
Toxicity is linked with the component ethanol which is 27% in it. Fatality in an adult is scarce but in children, its overdose can be the cause of death.
What Happens If You Swallow Fluoride Rinse
A good dentist always advises to spit or rinse properly. If you take this fluoride rinse in your stomach instead of out, you don’t need to be frightened. There is nothing to worry about. You feel some queasiness and have a stomach ache. That illness will pass within two days.
What Happen If You Swallow Fluoride At The Dentist
At the dentist’s clinic, during the cleaning of teeth, many people swallow their spit. It is not the right way. Always try to spit in the proper place. This process never hurts you. So it is ok. Don’t worry about your actions.
What Happens If You Swallow Sodium Fluoride
Sodium fluoride is the basic ingredient of fluoride toothpaste. Paste equal to the size of a pea is generally safe. But if you swallow too much, it may increase fluoride levels in your blood supply and cause dental fluorosis, which is a cosmetic problem. White and brown spots or lines occur on teeth.
Dental fluorosis is a risk only when the permanent teeth are developing — once a kid’s permanent teeth have erupted at the age of 8, dental fluorosis will not happen.
Is It Safe To Swallow Fluoride
Fluoride is a valuable weapon in the inhibition of dental caries. The only anti-fluoridation lobby can oppose this. Doctors advocate for people to use fluoride toothpaste twice a day.
They also mention that this element is dangerous for other body parts.
So, it is not safe to swallow.
What Happens If You Swallow Too Much Fluoride
If someone takes a large amount of toothpaste it may produce abdominal pain and intestinal blockage. Fluoride-containing toothpaste will prove to be dangerous and many ill factors are observed.
Overdose can cause different side effects like:
- Difficulty in breathing
- Reduced heartbeat
- Uncontrollable secretion of saliva
- Heart attack
- Diarrhea
- fits
- Taste of mouth change that may be salty or soapy
- Shock
- Shaking
- Weakness
Frequently Asked Questions
How Much Fluoride is Present in Toothpaste?
Almost all toothpaste in the market contains fluoride in the form of sodium fluoride or monofluorophosphate is present in 1000 to 1100 mg / L, about 1.3 mg is normally used for one brush amount.
Is it Normal to Swallow Fluoride Varnish?
The Use of Fluoride varnish is quite secure. It is manufactured for babies from the period they have their first tooth. Because the varnish is painted onto teeth and only a minute amount is used, almost no fluoride is swallowed.
Final Thoughts
Like most people, you grew up using standard Colgate, Sensodyne, or Oral-B fluoride toothpaste. Some toothpaste has a bubblegum taste, others have a mint flavor. Children have a strong desire to eat it. They often swallow it. Although very beneficial for teeth it has harmful effects on the body. If it is taken in small quantities the risk does not prevail but in bulk amounts,
It disturbs the stomach and this sickness remains for two days.
If you have any such experience consult a medical advisory service
