This guide explains exactly what happens when you swallow a tooth, when you should be concerned, and what to do in different scenarios. Whether it's a child's baby tooth, an adult tooth knocked out in an accident, or a crown that came loose during dinner, understanding the facts can help calm your nerves and guide your next steps.
What Happens to a Swallowed Tooth
The journey through your digestive system:
After you swallow, the tooth travels down your esophagus into your stomach. From there, it moves into your small intestine, then your large intestine, and eventually exits your body naturally when you have a bowel movement. This entire journey typically takes anywhere from 24 to 72 hours, though it can occasionally take longer.
Why swallowed teeth are usually safe:
Teeth have several properties that make them relatively harmless to swallow. First, they're smooth—unlike sharp objects that could potentially scratch or puncture your intestinal lining, a tooth's rounded surface passes through without causing damage. Baby teeth are especially smooth and small, posing virtually no risk.
Second, teeth are small enough to pass through the narrowest parts of your digestive tract without getting stuck. The average baby tooth is about the size of a pea, and even adult teeth are usually small enough to pass without issue.
Third, teeth are made of inert biological material—enamel, dentin, and other substances that don't react with your stomach acid or intestinal environment in any harmful way. Your body simply treats the tooth as an indigestible object and moves it along.
Finally, while stomach acid is strong, it works slowly on tooth enamel—the hardest substance in the human body. A tooth passing through your system for a day or two won't dissolve or break down in any meaningful way.
When to See a Doctor
Seek immediate emergency care if you experience:
Difficulty breathing, coughing, or choking—these symptoms suggest the tooth may have gone into your airway (trachea) instead of your esophagus. This is a medical emergency. Call 911 or go to the emergency room immediately.
Sharp pain in your throat or chest—while uncommon with smooth teeth, this could indicate the object has become lodged or is causing irritation. Don't wait to see if it improves; get medical attention.
Inability to swallow normally after the incident—this might mean something is stuck in your esophagus.
See a doctor within 24 hours if you experience:
Persistent stomach pain or cramping that doesn't improve. Vomiting, especially if accompanied by pain. Blood in your stool (though this is rare with tooth ingestion). Any symptoms that seem unusual or concerning to you.
Special considerations for children:
Children swallow baby teeth fairly often, and it's almost never a problem. However, call your pediatrician if your child is coughing persistently, gagging, drooling excessively, refusing to eat or drink, complaining of throat or chest pain, or seems to be in any distress. Trust your parental instincts—if something seems wrong, it's better to call and be reassured than to wait and worry.
If the object was sharp:
A smooth, intact tooth is very different from a broken tooth with jagged edges. If you swallowed a broken tooth fragment with sharp edges, there's a higher (though still relatively low) risk of it scratching your digestive tract. In this case, contact your doctor or go to urgent care. They may want to monitor you for signs of internal irritation or, in rare cases, order imaging to track the object's progress.
What About Crowns or Fillings?
Swallowed dental crown:
Crowns are usually smooth, rounded objects that pass through your digestive system without any issues. The main problem isn't the swallowing—it's that you now have an exposed tooth that needs attention. The underlying tooth, which was shaped down to fit the crown, is vulnerable to sensitivity, decay, and damage. Contact your dentist promptly to schedule a replacement crown. In the meantime, avoid chewing on that side and be careful with hot and cold foods.
Swallowed filling:
Modern filling materials—whether composite resin, glass ionomer, or amalgam—are all safe to pass through your digestive system. Amalgam (silver) fillings contain mercury, but in a form that's bound to other metals and doesn't release harmful amounts during the short time it's in your body. Like crowns, the bigger issue is the hole now in your tooth. See your dentist to get it refilled before bacteria can cause further decay.
Swallowed temporary crown or filling:
These are designed to be temporary and sometimes come out more easily. They're typically made of softer materials and pass through with no problems. However, you should contact your dentist right away since the temporary was protecting your tooth during a treatment process.
Other dental objects:
Occasionally people swallow other dental items: small pieces of braces, retainer wires, or parts of dental appliances. Most of these pass without issue, but if the object was sharp (like a broken wire) or larger than a small marble, contact your doctor for guidance. They may recommend an X-ray to track its position.
What to Do After Swallowing a Tooth
Immediately after swallowing:
Stay calm—panicking won't help and might make you more likely to choke if you're still eating. Take a drink of water to help ensure the object has moved down into your stomach. Assess how you feel—any pain, difficulty swallowing, or breathing issues?
Over the next few days:
Eat normally—a diet with adequate fiber will help keep things moving through your digestive system. Stay hydrated. Monitor for any unusual symptoms like persistent pain, vomiting, or blood in your stool.
You don't need to look for it:
Many people ask whether they should try to find the tooth in their stool. Unless your doctor specifically asks you to do this (which would be unusual), there's really no need. If you're not having any symptoms, the tooth will pass on its own whether you see it or not.
Follow up on the dental issue:
If you swallowed a crown, filling, or other dental work, contact your dentist to schedule repair. If a permanent tooth was knocked out and swallowed (rather than a baby tooth that was ready to come out), you'll want to discuss replacement options like an implant or bridge.
Key Takeaways
The only situations requiring immediate medical attention are if you're having trouble breathing (suggesting it went into your airway), experiencing significant pain, or swallowed something sharp. Otherwise, you can relax, eat normally, and let nature take its course.
The more important follow-up is usually dental rather than medical: if you lost a crown or filling, schedule an appointment to get it replaced and protect the underlying tooth.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will a swallowed tooth show up on X-ray?
Yes, teeth typically show up on X-rays due to their density. However, doctors rarely order X-rays for swallowed teeth since they almost always pass without complications. Imaging would only be considered if you swallowed something sharp, are experiencing concerning symptoms, or if your doctor wants to track an object's progress through your system.
How long does it take to pass a swallowed tooth?
Most swallowed objects, including teeth, pass through your digestive system within 24 to 72 hours (1-3 days). You may or may not notice it in your stool—and there's no medical need to look for it. As long as you're not experiencing any symptoms, the tooth will exit your body on its own.
Is it dangerous to swallow a baby tooth?
No, swallowing a baby tooth is not dangerous. Baby teeth are small, smooth, and made of inert material. They pass through the digestive system harmlessly. This is actually a fairly common occurrence—many children accidentally swallow loose baby teeth while eating. If your child has no symptoms of choking or discomfort, there's nothing to worry about.
Medical Disclaimer
The information provided on Urgent Dental Helper is for general informational and educational purposes only. It is NOT intended to be a substitute for professional medical or dental advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your dentist, physician, or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a dental or medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.
