Toothpaste overdose

Toothpaste is a product used to clean teeth. This article discusses the effects of swallowing a lot of toothpaste.

This article is for information only. DO NOT use it to treat or manage an actual poison exposure. If you or someone you are with has an exposure, call your local emergency number (such as 911), or your local poison center can be reached directly by calling the national toll-free Poison Help hotline (1-800-222-1222) from anywhere in the United States.

Poisonous Ingredient

• Sodium fluoride
• Triclosan

Where Found

• Various toothpastes

Symptoms

Swallowing a large amount of regular toothpaste may cause stomach pain and possible intestinal blockage.

These additional symptoms may occur when swallowing a large amount of toothpaste containing fluoride:

• Convulsions

  Convulsions

  A seizure is the physical findings or changes in behavior that occur after an episode of abnormal electrical activity in the brain. The term "seizure...

  

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• Diarrhea
• Difficulty breathing
• Drooling
• Heart attack
• Salty or soapy taste in the mouth
• Slow heart rate
• Shock
• Tremors
• Vomiting
• Weakness

  Weakness

  Weakness is reduced strength in one or more muscles.

   

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Home Care

Do NOT make a person throw up unless told to do so by poison control or a health care professional. Seek immediate medical help.

If the product was swallowed, immediately give the person water or milk, unless told otherwise by a health care provider. Do NOT give water or milk if the person is having symptoms (such as vomiting, convulsions, or a decreased level of alertness) that make it hard to swallow.

Before Calling Emergency

Determine the following information:

• The person's age, weight, and condition
• The name of the product (as well as the ingredients and strength, if known)
• The time it was swallowed
• The amount swallowed

Poison Control

Your local poison center can be reached directly by calling the national toll-free Poison Help hotline (1-800-222-1222) from anywhere in the United States. This hotline number will let you talk to experts in poisoning. They will give you further instructions.

Poison Help hotline

For a POISON EMERGENCY call:1-800-222-1222ANYWHERE IN THE UNITED STATESThis national hotline number will let you talk to experts in poisoning. This ...

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This is a free and confidential service. All local poison control centers in the United States use this national number. You should call if you have any questions about poisoning or poison prevention. It does NOT need to be an emergency. You can call for any reason, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

What to Expect at the Emergency Room

If you swallow toothpaste that does not contain fluoride, you may not need to go to the hospital.

Those who swallow a lot of fluoride toothpaste, especially if they are small children, may need to go to the hospital emergency department.

At the emergency room, the health care provider will measure and monitor the person's vital signs, including temperature, pulse, breathing rate, and blood pressure. Blood and urine tests will be done. The person may receive:

• Activated charcoal to prevent the rest of the poison from getting absorbed into the stomach and digestive tract
• Airway and breathing support, including oxygen. In extreme cases, a tube may be passed through the mouth into the lungs to prevent aspiration.
• Calcium (an antidote), to reverse the effect of the poison
• Chest x-ray
• EKG (electrocardiogram, or heart tracing)
• Endoscopy -- a camera down the throat to see burns to the esophagus and stomach
• Fluids through a vein (by IV)
• Medicines to treat symptoms
• Tube through the mouth into the stomach to wash out the stomach ( gastric lavage )

  Gastric lavage

  Gastric suction is a procedure to empty the contents of your stomach.

  

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Outlook (Prognosis)

People who swallow a very large amount of fluoride toothpaste and survive 48 hours usually recover.

Most nonfluoride toothpastes are nontoxic (nonpoisonous). People are very likely to recover.