Should I Go To The ER Following Accidental Swallowing Of A Dental Floss?

Posted on Thu, 25 Jan 2018

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

Thu, 25 Jan 2018 Answered on

Wed, 22 Aug 2018 Last reviewed on

Question : I think I swallowed my dental pick from falling asleep as I was using it at 10 PM in bed. When I woke at midnight, I felt a small point of itch/ache in center right of throat. This feeling has continued as and after I speak. My son looked a few minutes ago
with a flashlight into my mouth but found nothing visible. Do I go to the ER or just wait for the feeling to go away?
XXXX, YYYY@YYYY

Dental pick is term for the two prongs holding small piece of floss with a pick at the other end of instrument. (a dental flosser)

Answered by Dr. Honey Arora (23 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Get checked at emergency room.

Detailed Answer:

Hello,

Thanks for the query.

Well, first of all make sure that you swallowed it or not.

If at all you have swallowed it and you do not have any obstruction in swallowing then probably it is passed down the throat and not struck.

But to be on a safer side it is advisable to get examined at the emergency room.

If it has passed and is very small in size then it will probably pass out with stool.

But being careful is must.

Hope this helps.

Take care.

Dr. Honey Arora, Dentist

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng