What to Expect at the Emergency Room Return to top
People who swallow regular (nonfluoride) toothpaste may not need to be seen in the emergency room.
Those who swallow a lot of fluoride toothpaste (more than one tube) may need to go to the emergency room.
At the emergency room, the health care provider will measure and monitor the patient's vital signs, including temperature, pulse, breathing rate, and blood pressure. The patient may receive:
Calcium -- medicine (antidote) to reverse the effect of the poison
Endoscopy -- camera down the throat to see burns to the esophagus and the stomach
Fluids by IV
Medicines to treat symptoms
Tube through the mouth into the stomach to wash out the stomach (gastric lavage)
Outlook (Prognosis) Return to top
Patients who swallow a very large amount of fluoride toothpaste and survive 48 hours usually recover. See also: Fluoride overdose
Most nonfluoride (regular) toothpastes are relatively nontoxic (nonpoisonous). Recovery is very likely.