The accidental ingestion of a tooth, whether a child’s baby tooth or a piece of a dental restoration, is a scenario that raises immediate concern about what happens once the object is swallowed. A human tooth is one of the hardest substances in the body, primarily composed of a dense mineral matrix. The outer layer, enamel, consists of approximately 96% hydroxyapatite. This composition means the tooth is structurally inert and cannot be broken down by the body’s digestive enzymes.
Immediate Risks Upon Swallowing
The primary danger when swallowing any foreign object occurs immediately after ingestion, specifically in the throat and esophagus. If the tooth, or fragment, is inhaled instead of swallowed, it can enter the respiratory tract, leading to a condition known as aspiration. This blocks the airway and represents an acute medical emergency requiring immediate intervention.
Even if the object is successfully swallowed, the esophagus remains a narrow passage where an object can become lodged. Broken teeth, especially those with jagged edges or sharp points, pose an increased risk of causing irritation or a scratch to the delicate mucosal lining. While an intact, small baby tooth is generally blunt enough to pass without incident, a larger or fractured molar can temporarily cause discomfort or a feeling of something being stuck. The presence of a sharp object in the upper gastrointestinal tract warrants prompt evaluation due to the potential for causing a tear or perforation. Once the object has passed through the esophagus and into the stomach, the immediate risk of impaction is significantly reduced.
How the Body Processes the Tooth
Once a tooth fragment reaches the stomach, the body treats it as any other small, non-digestible foreign object. The stomach’s gastric acid is powerful enough to erode tooth enamel over prolonged, repeated exposure, such as with chronic acid reflux. However, this acid does not possess the capacity to rapidly dissolve the dense mineral structure of a whole tooth during its short transit time through the stomach.
The tooth remains structurally intact as it moves through the digestive tract. The process is managed by peristalsis, which are wave-like muscle contractions that propel contents along the gastrointestinal tract. From the stomach, the tooth passes through the pyloric sphincter and enters the small intestine, which is the longest segment of the digestive system.
The tooth must navigate the entire length of the small intestine and proceed to the large intestine, where water is absorbed and waste is formed into stool. The transit time for small, blunt foreign objects through the entire system is typically between 24 and 72 hours, though it can occasionally take up to a week. Because the tooth is not absorbed or chemically altered, it is simply expelled in its original form.
Signs of Complications and Medical Intervention
While most swallowed teeth pass uneventfully, there are specific symptoms, known as “red flags,” that signal a complication, such as a blockage or injury, and require immediate medical evaluation. Persistent and severe abdominal pain that does not resolve is a significant indicator of a potential problem. This pain may be accompanied by forceful or recurrent vomiting, which suggests an obstruction preventing the passage of food and fluid.
Other serious symptoms include the presence of blood in the vomit or stool, which could indicate a perforation or tear in the digestive lining. A fever, especially when paired with abdominal tenderness, is another concerning sign that may point toward an infection or inflammation. An inability to pass gas or have a bowel movement after a reasonable period also suggests a complete obstruction within the intestines.
If a complication is suspected, physicians will typically use diagnostic imaging, such as an X-ray, to locate the swallowed object. If the tooth is lodged in the upper digestive tract, a procedure called an endoscopy may be performed. This involves inserting a thin, flexible tube equipped with a camera and tools through the mouth to visualize and, if possible, remove the foreign body. Surgical intervention is a rare occurrence, reserved only for cases where the object is causing a complete obstruction, severe bleeding, or a perforation that cannot be managed endoscopically.