As a parent, your child losing their first tooth can be a momentous occasion. But what happens when your child accidentally swallows their baby tooth? 

Swallowing a whole tooth or a fragment of a tooth isn’t unusual. It can happen anytime, such as while your child’s tooth is loose during a sporting event or while eating. Baby teeth are smooth and small enough that your child may not even realize they swallowed it. 

Should You Be Worried? 

A tooth is generally digestible. Almost all objects that are swallowed, including those with sharp edges, will pass through the digestive system without any harm, according to the National Health Service. But it’s always best to monitor your child’s condition and seek help from a doctor if the swallowing of a tooth occurs. You should especially seek immediate medical attention if your child experiences the following symptoms:

• Trouble swallowing
• Neck or chest pain
• Recurring vomiting
• Blood present in vomit or stool
• Abdominal pain
• Fever or drooling

Preventative Steps

Although it’s not always possible to prevent your child from swallowing a tooth, you can take some safety measures when your child is about to lose their baby teeth.

• Instruct your child to let you know when they think their tooth is about to come loose.
• Chewing can cause a tooth to come out, so remind your child to be gentle when biting down on a loose tooth.
• Sometimes your child won’t be able to leave their loose tooth alone, so a teething aid for kids can help keep their tongue occupied.

Do you or your child have questions about what will happen when baby teeth fall out? We can help with that! Book an appointment with Dental Image Therapy Centres today for more information about this topic. Locate us at one of our two convenient Winnipeg locations at St. Vital Centre or Garden City Shopping Centre.