Does Swallowing A Piece Of Toothpick Require Medical Attention?

Posted on Mon, 2 Apr 2018

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Mon, 2 Apr 2018 Answered on

Wed, 12 Jul 2023 Last reviewed on

Question : I was eating dinner yesterday with family. Bit into something and felt something hard. Pulled out about 1/3 to 1/2 of a round tooth pick.

I am concerned about possibly ingesting the other part. I don't know for sure whether I did or not.

Answered by Dr. Mirjeta Guni (46 minutes later)

Brief Answer:

About a swallowed tooth:

Detailed Answer:

Hello,

There is nothing to get worried about. Even if you have swallowed a piece of tooth, it will get out with the stools and won't cause any problem.

The size of a tooth cannot cause any gastrointestinal blockage, so there is nothing to get worried about.

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Take care

Regards,
Dr Mirjeta Guni, Endocrinologist

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana

Follow up: Dr. Mirjeta Guni (48 minutes later)

This was not a tooth. It was a TOOTH PICK.

Answered by Dr. Mirjeta Guni (5 hours later)

Brief Answer:

About tooth prick ingestion;

Detailed Answer:

Hi,

Sorry for the misunderstanding!

If the tooth pick would have been in dimensions that may cause intestinal perforations, you should have felt it while swallowing.

The fact that you didn't feel it, means that it has been too small and can pass out easily in the small intestines.

Anyway, try to monitor carefully your stool and if you will have abdominal pain, you should see a physician immediately.

Hope I have answered your query.

Take care

Regards,
Dr Mirjeta Guni, Endocrinologist

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad