As unlikely as it may seem, it can happen that you notice a loose tooth and, during a dinner, before you even know it, the tooth comes off and is swallowed along with a mouthful of broccoli. Obviously, it will come out of the body and you may want to retrieve it to make sure you expelled it (especially if you can't wait to get it under your tooth fairy pillow).
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Wait and Observe
Step 1. Know if medical attention is needed
Most small objects that are accidentally ingested, such as teeth, easily pass through the digestive tract. However, it is possible that the tooth becomes stuck somewhere in the digestive system and that a doctor's help is needed. Go to the doctor if:
- Don't expel him within seven days;
- Vomiting, especially if you notice blood
- You experience symptoms such as abdominal or chest pain, cough, wheezing, shortness of breath.
- You notice traces of blood in the stool, especially if it is black or tarry.
Step 2. Look at the stool
It probably takes 12-14 hours for the tooth to pass through the intestine; however, don't be surprised if you see it sooner or later than these indications.
Step 3. Relax
Nothing passes through the organism quickly. The tooth has to travel through the digestive tract and the more relaxed you are, the faster it travels through the stomach, intestines and colon.
Step 4. Eat corn
The corn kernels remain mostly intact when they pass through the intestinal system; when you notice them in your stool, it's time to look for the tooth as well.
Step 5. Eat fruits, vegetables and whole grains
These foods help with peristalsis.
Step 6. Keep yourself well hydrated and stay in a place where you have free access to the bathroom
If the doctor recommends it, you can use a laxative to recover the tooth; make sure you take the recommended amount, to avoid overdose. Too many laxatives can trigger severe effects and cause addiction, loss of bone density, and many other problems.
When the stool is rather soft and / or watery (due to the laxative), put a net in the toilet to "catch" the tooth
Method 2 of 4: Retrieve an Ingested Denture
Step 1. Retrieve the dentures
This is the second object that is accidentally ingested more frequently, preceded only by fish bones and other bones mixed with food. This foreign body has complications that often do not occur with real teeth.
Step 2. Be very careful with dentures
Unfortunately, patients are unlikely to notice false teeth or loose crowns, and a lack of timely awareness can lead to serious health problems.
- The nature, shape and materials of dental prostheses are more dangerous for the digestive tract and other organs, as they are more likely to get stuck than natural teeth.
- If you wear dentures, check them periodically to make sure they are intact; do not sleep wearing it.
Step 3. See your doctor in case you lose your dentures
If you are concerned that you have accidentally swallowed it, it is best to go to the doctor, especially if you experience the painful symptoms described in the first section of the article.
- Doctors generally recommend an initial wait-and-see approach, but may also order an x-ray to assess the size, shape, and position of the prosthesis. It is possible that the dentures easily pass through the digestive system and in this case follow the same procedures as the natural tooth.
- When you recover your dentures, clean and disinfect them; to proceed, soak it in a solution of bleach and water in a ratio of 1:10.
Method 3 of 4: Vomit
Step 1. Induce vomiting
This practice is not recommended unless recommended by your doctor. Regurgitation after ingesting a foreign body could cause it to be inhaled into the lungs. If you've gotten your doctor's clearance, the action of vomiting can remove the tooth from your stomach.
Step 2. Use a bowl
In order to recover the tooth, you must use a container or sink with the drain closed. As unpleasant as it may sound, you can also try vomiting into a colander, to hold the tooth and let the liquid material flow through the holes; that way, you don't have to look for it in the stomach material, which would induce more retching.
Step 3. Use your fingers to induce vomiting
The most common method is to put a finger or two down the throat, touching the back wall until the gagging reflex is triggered.
Step 4. Get an emetic
Ipecac syrup is a remedy that stimulates vomiting. Use it as directed on the package and mix it with a small amount of water. Drink it quickly, it should make you feel nauseous and you should experience stomach contractions that induce vomiting afterwards.
Step 5. Drink salt water
Be very careful; if you overdo this mixture, you could cause severe and even fatal dehydration. You can induce vomiting within 20-30 minutes by drinking a solution of three teaspoons of salt in half a liter of warm water.
Step 6. Drink a mustard solution
Mix a tablespoon of mustard in a cup (about 250 ml) of hot water; the stomach should react similarly to salt water.
Method 4 of 4: See a Doctor
Step 1. Go to the doctor
In some cases, the tooth does not come out of the digestive system or you may experience one of the symptoms described above; in such an event, you must seek professional assistance.
Step 2. Prepare for the appointment
Having a lot of information available makes the process easier and increases the chances of a successful outcome. Make sure you have these details handy:
- The size of the tooth, whether it was whole or just a piece, whether it was a molar or an incisor;
- Home remedies already tried;
- Symptoms manifested, such as nausea, pain or vomiting;
- Any changes in bowel movements;
- The time elapsed "since the accident";
- If the symptoms came on suddenly or gradually;
- The presence of any health risks that the doctor needs to know, for example pre-existing diseases.
Step 3. Follow the doctor's advice
It is important to seriously consider what he has to say to you. While you may believe this is trivial, ingesting a tooth could cause serious problems that can get worse if you don't follow your doctor's directions.
Advice
- If the child loses a tooth and wants to recover it for the fairy, suggest that they write a letter to the fairy explaining what happened. This is a simpler and less chaotic solution than the one described in the article.
- Reassure the child by telling him that the tooth fairy can use her magical power to retrieve the tooth. Leave him a gift as usual, the child should stop worrying and the tooth will eventually eject naturally.
