A child swallows toothpaste. What to do and the impact on health?

That is why dentists advise teaching children to brush their teeth from a very early age. From 1.5-2 years old, the baby should be able to use a toothbrush and toothpaste. At first, the procedures are carried out under the supervision of parents, then the child copes well on his own. And if there are no particular problems with brushing your teeth, then spitting the toothpaste is issue No. 1. So, what to do if a child swallows toothpaste and how does this affect health?

How to use it correctly?

Instructions for use read as follows:

• Take a toothbrush; it is advisable to give preference to soft or medium-hard bristles. You need to moisten it a little in warm water.
• A small amount of powder must be brought to a mushy state. Pour the powder into a separate container and add a couple of drops of water.
• Dip the brush into the resulting mixture.
• Brush your teeth as usual.

You should also consider some useful tips from dentists:

• Do not try to brush your teeth with dry powder; it must be moistened with water.
• It is best to alternate tooth powder with gel paste.
• It is not recommended to use it if you have sensitive enamel.

For whom can pasta be dangerous?

There are people for whom getting even a small amount of paste into the body can be very dangerous. At risk: those who are allergic to certain components in the toothpaste, people with disorders of the digestive system and gastrointestinal tract, those with ulcers, gastritis and other diseases, as well as those who regularly swallow a lot of toothpaste accidentally or intentionally. In the latter case, a cumulative effect may appear.

If a very small amount of the product is swallowed by an adult or child, it is completely harmless. The content of components such as saccharin and light cleansing additives does not pose any danger.

It’s another matter when a child brushes his teeth with his parents’ regular toothpaste, in which case swallowing it can have unpleasant consequences. Even a one-time exposure to a toxic product can cause intoxication. Next, we will consider the main list of dangerous additives.

Myths about tooth powder

The main myth is that it causes enormous harm to teeth. In fact, if the teeth are in healthy condition and if all the rules are followed, then harm is practically excluded. Negative changes can only occur if you use the powder on an ongoing basis.

Another common misconception is poor quality plaque cleansing. In fact, according to statistics, this product copes with this task even better than the most expensive toothpaste from a well-known manufacturer.

Dangerous additives

Saccharin is a non-hazardous substance that helps manufacturers make the taste of pasta more pleasant and soft. However, sugar can also negatively affect the condition of the oral cavity, because, as is known, sweets provoke the development of bacteria and can lead to the gradual destruction of hard tissues.

Glycerin is a necessary additive that prevents toothpaste from quickly hardening and drying out even when opened. Unfortunately, the substance can cause digestive problems. Another component is paraffin. It is necessary to achieve the thickness and viscosity of the product. Large amounts of this substance in the body can lead to severe vomiting or constipation.

Is menthol included in toothpastes dangerous? Unfortunately, yes, it can negatively affect the functioning of the human heart and blood vessels, while it freshens breath very well. Formaldehyde is necessary to resist dangerous microbes, however, frequent use of pastes containing it, and especially their entry into the body when swallowed, can lead to vision problems and the development of pathological processes in the liver and kidneys.

Why do people who have recovered from COVID-19 start having dental problems?

Another unpleasant consequence of COVID-19 has been revealed: those who have recovered from the disease quickly decay and even lose their teeth. Due to the fact that patients, especially in serious condition, cannot brush their teeth daily, an unfavorable community of microorganisms is formed in the mouth, which have the ability to provoke caries and, what is much more dangerous, cause inflammation of periodontal tissues, the oral mucosa, even suppuration.

Of course, teeth will not begin to fall out after an illness, even if a person has been ill for two months or more. But the condition of the periodontium, i.e. the tissues that hold the teeth in the mouth, can deteriorate significantly. Therefore, patients who are sick with COVID-19 should pay attention to oral hygiene procedures. And as soon as they receive a second negative PCR swab, they need to visit their dentist. The doctor will look to see if there are white carious spots of initial caries, inflammation in the mouth, or if there are hard mineralized dental deposits, which themselves are a source of inflammation and need to be removed.

The first symptoms of intoxication

If there has been regular consumption of toothpaste, the first signs of intoxication of the body may appear. The most common ones include vomiting, upset stomach, severe diarrhea, and high body temperature. Also, a rash and itching often appears on the human body; it may begin to peel, turn red, and itch. The same applies to mucous membranes.

Another frequently diagnosed consequence of pasta consumption is intestinal dysfunction and stool problems. Gradually, internal organs such as the liver and kidneys may be affected.

In rare cases, inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract is observed, gastritis, pain, colitis, esophagitis appear, and ulcers with a high probability of bleeding can form. Any of the above-mentioned complications requires immediate consultation with a doctor and the appointment of the correct treatment regimen.

What components may be beneficial?

Baby toothpastes may contain enzymes like papain. Thanks to them, the plaque becomes softer and may even dissolve. Thanks to the content of milk enzymes (lysozyme, lactoperoxidases, glucose oxidases, lactoferrin), the child’s mouth becomes better protected from bacteria, plaque from the teeth is removed more gently, local immunity becomes stronger, and saliva better protects the teeth. And lactic enzymes better clean the enamel throughout the entire dentition. The protein casein makes it harder for bacteria that cause tooth decay to attach to teeth, and the amount of calcium and phosphate in the enamel increases.

Important! Biologically active organic calcium from eggshells is also useful. Thanks to it, the enamel of baby teeth is formed better.

How do toothpastes work to restore enamel?

Anyone who cares about dental health has probably asked the question more than once: “how can you strengthen tooth enamel?”

If your teeth have become sensitive or stains have appeared on your teeth, this is certainly a reason to consult a doctor, sort out the problems and choose treatment; home care may not be enough; serious in-office remedies may be needed.

However, as a preventative measure, strengthening the enamel is possible with the help of properly selected toothpastes. To understand, we will first delve a little deeper into chemistry.

Let's understand the processes in tooth enamel, pay attention to the composition of toothpastes, and by combining this knowledge, you will be able to choose your own toothpaste to restore teeth, but do not forget to consult with your doctor.

So, tooth enamel is the hardest tissue, which consists of 96% of inorganic mineral compounds - phosphorus, fluorine, calcium and other components. But despite her hardness, she is quite vulnerable. To find out why, let's delve a little deeper into chemistry.

The main compound of enamel is hydroxyapatite, and few people know that in the surface layer of enamel, hydroxyapatite crystals undergo constant changes. When the pH of saliva becomes acidic (in other words, teeth are not brushed), the hydroxyl group from our hydroxyapatite turns into water!

The crystal lattice is broken, calcium is released, and the vulnerability of the enamel to acids has increased. This is the process of demineralization of enamel at the molecular level. If there is an excess of calcium or phosphorus ions in the periodontal environment, then the reverse process will begin - mineralization.

What about fluoride? And fluorine ions form a modification - hydroxyfluorapatite is a fairly acid-resistant compound, and in high concentrations calcium fluoride is a generally insoluble compound.

In conditions of healthy oral microflora and normal saliva composition, the natural processes of demineralization and remineralization occur constantly and ensure a balanced mineral balance of tooth enamel.

The source of calcium and phosphate ions is saliva, and poor hygiene and poor nutrition contribute to the proliferation of bacteria, which in turn contribute to the accumulation of acids in the oral cavity.

So daily brushing of teeth is not just a hygienic procedure, it is a war for the strength and durability of the enamel of your teeth.

Indications for strengthening enamel

• The main indications for strengthening tooth enamel are:
• Caries at any stage.
• Baby teeth.
• Pregnancy and breastfeeding period.
• Discomfort or toothache while eating.
• Time before and after teeth whitening procedure.
• Orthodontic treatment (braces).
• Chips, scratches and cracks on teeth.
• Bite abnormalities and, as a result, pathological abrasion.
• Long-term drug therapy.

How do toothpastes work to restore enamel?

Most researchers agree that the main source of substances entering the enamel is oral fluid. There is also a very important detail: enamel has high permeability, due to the presence of microspaces filled with water through which various substances can penetrate, depending on their radius and activity. For example, the fluoride ion is large and active, therefore it is embedded quickly and only into the surface layers of the enamel, while the calcium ion is the opposite, so it manages to penetrate much deeper.

All this was proven through long-term research and based on these details, remineralization schemes were created - artificial saturation of tooth enamel with minerals.

Since ions penetrate the enamel through a slow diffusion process, remineralization requires time and therefore multiple manipulations.

Most of all, tooth enamel needs an element such as calcium. The strength and hardness of teeth depends on it. Calcium-containing pastes are suitable for restoring the enamel layer with minor damage. They contain various calcium compounds that penetrate dental tissue, strengthen and restore them.

Toothpastes with calcium are especially useful for primary signs of demineralization. Damaged enamel, which may periodically show itself with increased sensitivity, needs to be healed with pastes containing active calcium;

In case of serious damage to the enamel layer, it is recommended to use fluoride-containing pastes. Pastes containing fluoride, when cleaning the oral cavity, actively react with calcium ions, filling microcracks and damage to the enamel.

Penetrating into the enamel layer, the substances are integrated into the structure of the tissue, restoring and strengthening it.

It is useful to alternate fluoride-containing paste and calcium paste. It is undesirable for both components to be present in one tube, since together they form an insoluble salt. Because of this, when brushing your teeth, active fluoride and calcium ions will not be released from the paste, so there will be no benefit from such therapeutic cleaning. Modern research does not stand still, constantly modifying and improving the compositions of toothpastes. But there are still “old” toothpastes on the market that do not provide any benefit to teeth. I recommend carefully studying the composition of toothpastes and consulting with your dentist; some of them are reliable and proven

Toothpastes for restoring enamel with calcium

We have already seen that calcium ion has very weak activity. Therefore, it is very important that its form in toothpaste is easily absorbed by tooth enamel.

Calcium in toothpastes can be contained in the form of the following compounds:

• Calcium citrate.
• Calcium pantothenate.
• Calcium lactate.
• Hydroxyapatite.

Very often you can find a combination of two or three of these calcium compounds in toothpaste, which, of course, increases the chances of calcium being incorporated into the tooth enamel, and therefore strengthening the teeth.

Calcium citrate replenishes calcium deficiency in the body and is safe to swallow. The calcium in this compound easily penetrates tooth enamel, strengthening and protecting it.

Calcium pantothenate is a widespread calcium compound present in the body and actively involved in metabolism. It enriches teeth with essential calcium and is safe when ingested.

Calcium lactate is used in the food industry to fortify foods with calcium and as a substitute for table salt. It is perfectly absorbed by the body and protects against caries.

“Good old” calcium glycerophosphate. It has been established that toothpastes based on calcium glycerophosphate effectively remove plaque, stabilize the cariogenic situation in the oral cavity and do not have a sensitizing effect on the body. Pastes containing calcium glycerophosphate are time-tested, affordable and reliable. For all conservatives for complex therapy of superficial caries.

For those who love innovation.

Nanotechnology has reached toothpastes. Hydroxyapatite itself is by no means an innovation in dentistry. Experiments on its use took place at the beginning of the 20th century, but only at the end did Japanese scientists manage to develop nanocrystalline medical hydroxyapatite. This artificially synthesized form is maximally biocompatible and bioactive.

Over time, the formula has been improved, the particles have decreased, and today toothpastes containing nanohydroxyapatite are leading in the prevention of caries. Its effectiveness has been proven in the initial stages of caries, due to the ability of ions to penetrate into the microscopic spaces between enamel prisms, embedding themselves in the crystal lattice of hydroxyapatite crystals of tooth enamel. As a result, tooth enamel is restored.

Toothpastes with nanohydroxyapatite eliminate caries at the white spot stage and “seal” microcracks; reduce tooth sensitivity.

An indispensable assistant at the first signs of problems with tooth enamel.

Another contender for special treatment

Amorphous calcium phosphate. When in contact with saliva and hydroxyapatite, this element forms a special biofilm on the surface of the teeth, which: protects the enamel from the harmful effects of acids and ensures the connection of bioavailable calcium with the enamel, accelerating its remineralization.

Important! Since the active substance is obtained from cow's milk casein, this method of strengthening enamel is not suitable for people with allergies to milk protein.

Theobromine is for lovers of natural and maximally safe, expensive and chic. Theobromine (cocoa bean extract) acts as a catalyst; it stimulates the formation of its own hydroxyapatite crystals, providing natural remineralization of enamel. Calcium acetate serves as a building material for the crystal lattice of tooth enamel.

The enamel becomes denser and more resistant to acids. Studies have confirmed the beneficial effects of theobromine on tooth enamel and its high effectiveness in combating tooth sensitivity.

Please note that forms of calcium not listed above are merely abrasives in toothpaste (for example, calcium carbonate or dicalcium phosphate). Therefore, when choosing a toothpaste to strengthen your teeth enamel, be guided by the calcium compounds described above, or consult your dentist.

Toothpastes for strengthening enamel with fluoride

Every person knows: fluorides protect teeth from caries! But there is other known information - fluoride is toxic to the body. How to be? Who to believe? Let's figure it out.

In our body, elements such as fluorine and calcium are divided into macroelements, there should be a lot of them, and microelements, they are needed, but in small quantities. For example, the daily calcium intake for an adult is 1000-1200 mg. While the norm for fluoride is only 4 mg. But, did you know that with an excess of calcium and vitamin D in the body, the risk of urolithiasis increases. And excess iron in the blood also causes toxic effects and is called iron overload syndrome. And so the list can be endless.

Important! Everything useful is useful in moderation! Same with fluorine.

How to understand whether it is needed and whether it will not be harmful?

First of all, determine what fluoride content is in the water in the region where you live. Since we get the most fluoride from drinking water. You can find up-to-date information about fluoride levels in water in your area on the website of your local water utility.

In Russia, the fluorine content in water from natural sources is usually low - less than 0.5 mg/l. Only in the groundwater of the Tver, Moscow, Ryazan, Sverdlovsk and Chelyabinsk regions the concentration of fluorine is increased (reaches 4.4 mg/l). There is also a list of regions where, due to large production, the fluoride content is also increased.

Only in regions with high levels of fluoride in water are toothpastes with fluoride contraindicated. Everyone else needs and benefits from fluoride in the right dosages.

What are the benefits of fluoride?

Fluoride performs important tasks in the body.

• Together with phosphorus and calcium, it participates in the formation and strengthening of bone tissue and tooth enamel.
• Promotes healthy nail and hair growth.
• Stimulates hematopoietic processes: formation, development and maturation of red blood cells, platelets and leukocytes.
• Strengthens the immune system and maintains it at an appropriate level.
• Removes salts of radionuclides and heavy metals from the body.
• When used in oral care products, fluoride helps prevent dental problems and solve existing ones.
• Prevent tooth decay. Fluoride penetrates the enamel structure, prevents caries and treats it at the white spot stage.
• Protect against demineralization. The combination of fluorine with hydroxyapatite forms fluorohydroxyapatite, a substance that reduces it. This is how enamel remineralization occurs.
• Protect against lactic acid. Fluoride prevents bacteria from producing lactic acid. This reduces the growth of pathogenic microflora and gives the enamel additional protection.

Why is fluoride deficiency dangerous in the body?

Fluorine deficiency in the body is most often caused by its low content in drinking water (less than 0.7 mg/l). Another possible cause is improper regulation of fluoride metabolism in the body. A deficiency of this substance weakens tooth enamel, making it more vulnerable to caries. A child with a lack of fluoride may experience delayed ossification and defects in bone mineralization. In an adult, with prolonged deficiency, the risk of developing osteoporosis increases.

If there is too much fluoride in the body

Fluoride is found not only in oral care products and tap water, but also in food. The maximum permissible daily intake for an adult is 10 mg. An excess of fluoride is more dangerous for the body than a deficiency, as it entails irreversible processes. First of all, teeth and bones are affected; metabolic disorders, deterioration of blood clotting, etc. may occur. In children, even before teething, endemic fluorosis develops - this is a chronic lesion of tooth enamel in the form of spots of various sizes, shapes and colors. After 10–20 years of excess fluoride in the body, bone fluorosis develops, which can develop into osteosclerosis, osteoporosis and osteosarcoma (malignant formation). As a rule, we are talking about excess fluoride entering the body for a long time with water and food or, for example, toxic production. It is also possible that fluoride metabolism in the body is impaired, which is rare.

Is fluoride from toothpaste harmful?

We figured out that the toxic effect of fluoride, which some fear, is due only to ingestion. Should you be afraid of fluoride toothpaste? No! When brushing our teeth, we do not swallow toothpaste. And fluorine, as we remember, an element with high activity, quickly reacts with hydroxyapatite of tooth enamel, settling in its surface layers and does not have time to penetrate through the tooth into the bloodstream. This means that when brushing your teeth 2 times a day, toothpaste with fluoride does not cause any harm. And the concentrations of fluoride in toothpastes are strictly limited. The amount of fluoride in ppm is usually indicated on the packaging. The abbreviation ppm stands for parts per million and reflects the number of fluorine particles per million. If the tube states that the toothpaste contains 900 ppm of fluoride, this means that 1 kg(!) of toothpaste will contain 900 mg of this element.

The higher the fluoride concentration, the better the paste restores enamel. For prophylactic pastes it is 900-1150 ppm, for therapeutic and prophylactic pastes it is 1350–1500 ppm. There are products with higher content, but they are used only as prescribed by a doctor and in short courses. As a reminder, these recommendations are suitable for anyone living in areas with moderate levels of fluoride in their drinking water.

Can children have fluoride toothpaste?

The European Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (EAPD) recommends fluoride pastes and gels for everyone - even children and pregnant women - to prevent early stages of tooth decay.

Recommended fluoride content in toothpaste:

• up to 4 years - 200 ppm;
• from 4 to 8 years - 500 ppm;
• over 8 years old and for adults - 1450 ppm.

Fluoride is an important component in caring for children's teeth. However, if the toothpaste is swallowed frequently, fluoride accumulates in the body and can cause unpleasant consequences. Important! The child brushes his teeth under the supervision of an adult!

Children can begin brushing their teeth with fluoride-containing toothpastes when their first tooth erupts. Because the recommended amount of toothpaste when brushing your teeth is a grain of rice. And the amount of fluorine is 200-250ppm. That is, it is 200 mg in 1000 mg paste. Tube with children's toothpaste 50ml. Even if we roughly translate, without taking into account the density of the substance, that ml is equal to mg, then we get 10 mg of fluorine. It turns out that for the toxic effect of fluoride to manifest itself, the child must eat the entire tube of toothpaste at one time! Agree, if a child eats a whole tube of cream or anything else, this will also cause problems. Therefore, it is recommended to keep any attractive tubes away from children. And the child brushes his teeth under adult supervision.

How do fluorides affect enamel?

Fluoride ions interact with calcium ions, forming calcium fluoride, which is built into the structure of tooth enamel, restoring and strengthening it. Therefore, in order to fix calcium in the teeth and slow down the carious process, it is recommended to use fluoride-containing products to restore teeth. After all, as we discussed at the beginning of the article, hydroxyfluorapatite is a more acid-resistant compound, and calcium fluoride is insoluble, which means that enamel with such structural elements is stronger and less susceptible to caries. In addition, fluorine has a bacteriostatic effect, which helps to heal the microflora. This is why fluoride toothpastes are so popular among dentists.

However, all fluorine-containing additives have their own characteristics and differ in the speed of action. For example, amino fluoride, which is an organic fluorine compound, forms a persistent protective film on the surface of the enamel. Inorganic fluorine compounds (sodium fluoride and others) also form a protective film, but under the influence of saliva it dissolves faster.

As in the story with calcium, we pay attention to the composition.

Sodium monofluorophosphate. Today it is rare, in old-style toothpastes. It excludes all fluoride compounds. It does not contain fluorine ion, but a solid compound that does not dissolve as easily as ionic compounds. This compound was the result of creative work by chemists as a solution to the problem of combining calcium and fluorine.

What happens to this compound in the oral cavity remains unclear even to the scientists themselves who studied this topic. Some claimed that the element immediately binds to tooth enamel, others said that upon contact with enzymes in saliva, fluoride ion is released. But the secret remained not fully revealed!

Sodium fluoride is the most common supplier of fluoride. It is the simplest fluoride compound: fluorine ion and sodium ion, which are tightly bound to each other due to their charge. Thus, sodium fluoride is a salt that dissolves very easily in water, as well as in saliva (although not as well as regular table salt). Sodium fluoride supplies tooth enamel with fluoride ions, and thereby overcomes the first step in the prevention of caries.

Aluminum fluorides

Also a salt, as in the case of sodium fluoride, but has limited solubility in water, similar to calcium fluoride. Thus, since fluoride ions have a cariesstatic effect, the prospects for protection when using aluminum fluoride compounds are very limited.

For this reason, preference for choosing a product based on it remains minimal.

Zinc fluorides - today only in combination with other fluoride compounds.

Zinc fluoride is also a salt, easily soluble in water. In principle, a good candidate for joining the ranks of toothpaste formulations. Indeed, the first toothpaste with fluoride was based on zinc fluoride, a well-known American brand. But highly reactive zinc ions tend to cause problems! Therefore, the creators are forced to resort to some secrets to stabilize it. This has caused most manufacturers to switch to the more stable sodium fluoride.

In recent years, zinc fluorides have been experiencing a renaissance! Since in combination with amino fluorides they form a stable and effective chain.

Aminofluorides are the product of targeted development and long research!

Amino fluorides are also salts, but compared to sodium fluorides they have a more complex structure. They were the result of a focused search for the best compound to protect teeth from caries. The fluorine ion in the case of amino fluorides is bound into a complex amine molecule by fatty acid hydrolase. The peculiarity of these compounds is their bipolarity: on the one hand, the polar amine base is soluble in water, on the other hand, the nonpolar base is fatty. Such compounds become active on the surface, enveloping it.

For home care and caries prevention, you can use toothpastes with fluoride; the most effective are those containing sodium fluoride and amino fluorides. The higher the fluoride content, the better the remineralizing properties of the paste and the protection against caries. But it is better not to use high dosages without a doctor’s prescription.

Fluoride and calcium are equally important for enamel remineralization. However, we remember that when combined they form an insoluble salt and neutralize each other’s effects. Now some manufacturers are trying to get around this problem. In the meantime, follow the proven scheme: alternate the use of pastes with calcium and fluoride.

Which toothpaste is best for strengthening enamel?

Of course, the one that suits you. When making a choice, you should not listen to commercials or the advice of friends.

The state of dental health varies from person to person. Advice from a dentist after a routine examination of the oral cavity will certainly help you decide on the right choice of toothpaste with active ingredients for the restoration and prevention of tooth enamel.

Proper nutrition, regular oral hygiene procedures and the use of only high-quality and highly effective toothpastes will help strengthen the enamel and maintain the health of your teeth.

HOW MUCH TOOTHPASTE DOES MY CHILD HAVE TO SWALLOW FOR THIS TO BE A PROBLEM?

With scary new toothpaste labels (indicating the fluoride concentration in “some” units - ppm, mg), many parents are wondering what to do when they catch their child eating toothpaste straight from the tube or in the toothpaste bath. smeared all over the counter. This makes it difficult for parents to estimate the amount swallowed. Considering the relatively low fluoride content in most brands (e.g. President Dady, Elmex Kinder, Lacalut baby, Edel white, Splat junior, Emoform actiflour kids, Colgate bubble gum, ROCS baby, etc.), it is quite difficult for a child to take a lethal dose of fluoride at home . If you do know approximately how much fluoride toothpaste a child has eaten, the following table shows how much would need to be swallowed in order to see a doctor (data from the Georgian Poisons Center)

What are the dangers of fluoride deficiency and excess?

Low fluoride content weakens tooth enamel, making it more susceptible to tooth decay. But excess fluoride is more dangerous than its deficiency. The teeth and bones are the first to suffer - they become fragile. Metabolic disorders, blood clotting and other serious health problems can also be observed.

So, at the moment, science has not proven the harm of fluoride-containing toothpastes, but there are many facts indicating their benefits. Which toothpaste should you choose for quality dental care? Your dentist will recommend the best option based on the current clinical situation, your complaints and wishes.

Toothpastes with fluoride salts help solve many dental problems.

Prevention of caries. Fluoride, entering the enamel structure, treats caries at the spot stage and helps to avoid the formation of new carious lesions.

Protection against demineralization. The combination of fluorides with hydroxyapatite (the main structural element of tooth enamel) forms fluorapatite, which is more resistant to acids produced by pathogenic microorganisms. Thanks to this, the processes of enamel demineralization stop. Moreover, fluorides accelerate the process of reminarilation (enrichment of enamel with calcium and phosphorus), which significantly reduces the risk of developing caries.

Protection against lactic acid. Fluoride prevents the production of lactic acid, which means it significantly reduces the growth of pathogenic microorganisms and additionally protects the enamel.

Safe dose

Adults and even children are allowed to swallow a small amount of toothpaste daily, but this is not specifically recommended. In order not to worry about the consequences, it is best to first study the composition of the product to determine whether it contains dangerous ingredients.

To protect babies, manufacturing enterprises are developing special baby toothpastes without fluoride in their composition. Fluoride-containing products can be used after the child learns to completely spit the product into the sink after hygiene procedures. It is best to give preference to pastes that do not contain parabens, sulfates, preservatives and antibiotics.

If the patient often encounters the ingestion of paste into the body, then it is better to buy formulations on a natural basis, for example, containing plant extracts, fruits, chalk and even clay. These components are completely harmless, and their properties are no worse than those of artificial additives.

What to do if a child accidentally swallows adult toothpaste? It is recommended to give the baby a sorbent, for example, activated carbon or a drug called Polysorb; those with allergies can be given an antihistamine prescribed by a doctor. If the condition worsens, it is necessary to call an ambulance and rinse the stomach.

previous post

What can replace dental floss?

next entry

Four important features of toothpaste

Many parents choose toothpastes for their children based solely on cost and brightness of the packaging, often succumbing to big phrases like “dazzling whitening” or “incredibly durable teeth protection.” And here their huge mistake is that they do not study the composition.

Sensitivity

Healthy teeth need nothing more than fluoride. But if the dentist diagnoses their sensitivity, the fluoride paste should be accompanied by strontim chloride, which relieves discomfort. Ideally, the fluoride content in the paste should be 1350-1500 units. per million. In other words - 0.145% by weight of the paste, or 1450 ppm.

Whitening

Toothpaste companies have gotten great at advertising their “whitening” products. But professionals say: more than half of tooth whitening toothpastes are not suitable. With their help, minor darkening of the enamel can still be eliminated. However, yellow teeth will have to be dyed white at the dentist's office. Much more effective than using any whitening pastes is simply rinsing your mouth with a solution of baking soda after a cup of tea: this method will keep your enamel unstained longer.

Freshness

The person everyone tries to stay away from because of bad breath has probably at least once tried to improve the situation with the help of special pastes promoted by manufacturers with words like “fresh breath.” So: such a paste helps in 22% of cases of gingivitis - inflammation of the gums, one of the causes of unpleasant odor. The degree of effectiveness for periodontitis, which can also cause an unpleasant odor, has not been clarified at all.

Important! Bacteria on the tongue is also a possible cause of halitosis. It also needs to be cleaned every time.

Foam

Toothpaste usually foams due to the content of sodium lauryl sulfate - SLS, also known as sodium lauryl sulfate. Ordinary soap suds, washing away food residues everywhere. But with increased sensitivity of the gums, SLS can very easily cause stomatitis. If your gums are sensitive, you should use a paste that does not contain this additive.

What happens if you swallow pasta?

As you might guess, if a child swallows a little toothpaste while brushing his teeth, nothing will happen to him. Since some part of it is inevitably absorbed by the tongue, pharmaceutical companies have ruled out the possibility of causing harm to the body in this way (after all, then they would not have clients). However, if you consistently notice that your child has gotten into the habit of feasting on dental gel, then you should be wary! You will be surprised, but such uncontrolled absorption can be fatal. To do this, you need to eat almost a tube at a time, and the toothpaste must contain fluoride... However, there is no need to take risks: store the adult toothpaste where children cannot reach it, and explain to the child why he should not swallow the tooth gel.

How often should you eat?

Modern man eats completely differently from what nature intended. We eat few cleansing foods, cut apples, prepare salads from carrots or cabbage, often eat meat in the form of cutlets, and have a snack every half hour. In short, we chew constantly. This leads to a large number of dental problems. But this does not mean that you need to give up delicious food. In addition, food is the fastest way to gain pleasure, improve your mood, etc. The costs of our nutrition should be compensated by proper hygiene. It is important to strive to ensure that the pauses between meals are at least 2 hours. This is exactly how long our saliva, this magical liquid, needs to neutralize the cariogenic effects of food.

By the way, do you need to remove wisdom teeth? Not if they are in the dental arch (standing in place at the correct angle), are fully erupted and can be cleaned normally.