Advised to swallow toothpaste?

[havingagiggle]

Has anyone ever been advised to swallow the toothpaste after brushing their teeth to help alleviate reflux / gerd? A doctor recently advised me to do this after brushing my teeth?! Apparently it helps with reflux / gerd....

Yes I've heard that. If you rinse and spit, all the protective effect of the toothpaste is washed away.

No chance could I do that 🤢

If you rinse and spit, all the protective effect of the toothpaste is washed away.

Very true, but different from why you shouldn't spit at all- that is so you absorb more fluoride. It's good practice in any country which doesn't fluoridate water.

Apparently it helps with reflux/gerd

Toothpaste is alkaline, but I'm sceptical it would make a big difference.

I've heard not to rinse and haven't done for decades but swallowing it is a new one on me. Can you have too much fluoride?

I'm not sure it can be good / ok for you to swallow toothpaste every day. Seems odd to me.

I'm not sure it can be good / ok for you to swallow toothpaste every day.

Why?

Can you have too much fluoride?

Yes. It causes white spots on the teeth. You'd have to consume an awful lot though.

Most people in the UK do not get enough fluoride, hence the advice.

Well, mint helps me if I have heartburn so maybe that's what he was getting it?

I couldn't swallow toothpaste full of the manky bits of food from between my teeth though

I thought there were concerns that too much fluoride was a cause of stomach cancer?

I wouldn't do this, no. There is a reason it says on the packaging not to swallow it.
What a bizarre and seemingly negligent recommendation, when there are so many legitimate ways (and medicines) to treat acid reflux/GERD anyway. I would explore those OP or try natural remedies and diet changes.

I wouldn't want to raise the fluoride in my blood or subject my gastric system to this, toothpaste has a variety of ingredients in it not intended for consumption. I'd be a bit at your GP to be honest for saying this.

Nothing much to do with the subject, but mint gives me heartburn.

I'd be a bit hmm at your GP to be honest for saying this.

Yeah, I wouldn't do it without discussing with a dentist first- odd for a GP to suggest. Some few areas in UK are fluoridated, so not advised in them.

There is a reason it says on the packaging not to swallow it.
toothpaste has a variety of ingredients in it not intended for consumption

Are sure you are brushing with toothpaste PP? Is the tube quite large and says polycell on the side?

Yes I thought it was a strange thing to recommend too, glad it's not just me!

Not something we recommend.

Fluoride is a type of salt and enough if it will make you vomit Long term ingesting enough of it can damage teeth and bones.

There’s two types. Sodium fluoride is a by product of heavy industry - that’s what you find in toothpaste and mouthwash It’s actually poisonous in high doses

Calcium fluoride is what occurs naturally in rivers/ water - better for you.

We never suggest eating/ swallowing toothpaste or mouthwash for any reason. If you do you should seek medical help from a+e especially if the person is old Ill or a child

you should spit and not rinse after brushing

We never suggest eating/ swallowing toothpaste or mouthwash for any reason. If you do you should seek medical help from a+e especially if the person is old Ill or a child

My child is too young to understand the concept of spitting. She actively looks for the toothpaste....

We're talking massive quantities here, right?

You should use a smear of toothpaste on a child’s brush and encourage spitting out
(One tip is to practice ‘elephant spitting ‘ In the bath It’s gross but they get the idea of you show them how)

An adult should use a pea size amount

Yes we are talking massive amounts like squeezing the tube of toothpaste into the mouth - sorry I didn’t make that clear
A tiny smear would be ok

Unless you’re worried in which case ring 111

Erm, there are lots of over the counter medicines available to help alleviate reflux / GERD. There is no need to swallow toothpaste surely

I've tried everything including prescription and still suffer. I do find eating an apple (especially a pink lady) helps alleviate it in the middle of the night.

If you’ve tried lots of different medicines, including prescription ones, then I doubt very much that a bit of toothpaste will help.
Can you not push your GP for a referral op? I think he/she should be investigating your symptoms further if you have been prescribed medication and it’s not helping - not recommending that you swallow toothpaste!

Thanks all for your responses. It wasn't my GP it was the Dr / Consultant at the hospital that advised me to swallow the toothpaste. Not sure if that's better or worse?! Bizarre advice then.