My dd has been eating toothpaste.

[Mergath]

So I just found out today that when my dd goes to the bathroom, while she's in there she's been eating gobs of toothpaste. I caught her today, and after some very irate questioning on my part, she admitted she's been doing it. Obviously she's not downing half a tube in one go or I'd have noticed, but from what she's told me, it's been going on for a couple of months, at least. It's a miracle she didn't poison herself.

 

I am so mad I can't see straight. :cursing: I suppose now her adult teeth are going to come in all pitted and stained and we'll have to have them capped or something. Has anyone else dealt with this? Did you have to get the child's teeth capped, or is there something else they can do?

 

I wouldn't be so angry, but I think I have literally told her a million times that you never, never swallow toothpaste. We used to get the natural kind without fluoride, but they all have oils in them that make dd's mouth crack and break out, so we had to switch to the regular kind about a year ago. Our bathroom is tiny and there's no place to put the toothpaste where she can't get it, so I suppose I'm going to have to keep it up in a kitchen cupboard now. When we let her brush her own teeth after breakfast, she's very good about spitting it out, so I'm just baffled at this. Aaarrrgh. :banghead:

[vonfirmath]

Does she eat anything else "weird"?

[Mergath]

Does she eat anything else "weird"?

 

No, just the toothpaste. Why?

[Onceuponatime]

There may be no adverse affects, you will just have to wait and take things as they come. I understand you are worried, but try not to borrow trouble for tomorrow. :-)

 

Just last night I was thinking about how sweet toothpaste is and wondering if it could cause problems for people who have an appetite triggered by sweetness. She is still very young to have any real understanding about the consequences.

[SKL]

My kids have been known to do this. I will not buy fluoride toothpaste for them until I trust them not to eat it. And when we do make the switch, I'll probably start with strong-tasting stuff that no kid would want to eat.

[Mergath]

What about having her brush with a tiny bit of baking soda a couple of times a week and the rest of the time don't have her use toothpaste at all? And obviously lock up the toothpaste.

 

Does that actually work? I've heard you don't need toothpaste, but having grown up in the eighties and nineties, there's a part of my brain that's appalled at the idea of brushing without it and is convinced she'll get a million cavities.

[SKL]

Does that actually work? I've heard you don't need toothpaste, but having grown up in the eighties and nineties, there's a part of my brain that's appalled at the idea of brushing without it and is convinced she'll get a million cavities.

 

When I was your kid's age my teeth had never met a toothbrush, and I didn't get my first cavity until I was 16. I agree with the poster who said don't borrow trouble from tomorrow.

 

By the way, I think just about every child has eaten toothpaste. That's why they say to supervise kids' brushing until they are 6.

 

I noticed that you said your daughter reacts from non-fluoride toothpaste. Perhaps you could go to an organic grocery store and see if they have any options without those nasty chemicals. Or perhaps do some research online for same. Most likely your daughter isn't the only child with this problem.

[Parrothead]

No, you don't need toothpaste. It is a recent invention. A little baking soda will do the trick. Or you can just brush with water on the toothbrush.

[Mergath]

 

When I was your kid's age my teeth had never met a toothbrush, and I didn't get my first cavity until I was 16. I agree with the poster who said don't borrow trouble from tomorrow.

 

By the way, I think just about every child has eaten toothpaste. That's why they say to supervise kids' brushing until they are 6.

 

I noticed that you said your daughter reacts from non-fluoride toothpaste. Perhaps you could go to an organic grocery store and see if they have any options without those nasty chemicals. Or perhaps do some research online for same. Most likely your daughter isn't the only child with this problem.

 

I don't see why it wouldn't work. I hesitate to use baking soda every day because it is pretty abrasive. I use it to clean my sink and it works very well. But yeah, not sure why one really needs toothpaste. I suppose it freshens breath.

No, you don't need toothpaste. It is a recent invention. A little baking soda will do the trick. Or you can just brush with water on the toothbrush.

 

I think we'll give that a try, then. At least until she's a little older. We do supervise her brushing- I watch her while she does it herself in the morning, and I brush her teeth at night. I just didn't realize she was eating it when she was in there going to the bathroom. Didn't have a clue. She's been very sneaky about it. :glare:

[Mergath]

I ate toothpaste as a kid. I didn't have issues from it. It's probably going to be fine.

 

Gosh, I hope so. I know it's a stupid thing to freak out over, but I'm going to feel terrible if she has to grow up with brown, blotchy teeth. The pictures of dental fluorosis that came up on Google aren't exactly reassuring. :(

[Mergath]

And so, on a related subject, can anyone recommend a brand of toothpaste that dh and I can use that tastes really, really nasty? I'll probably still have to use it myself because I have extremely cavity-prone teeth, but I want to make sure that if dd somehow does get hold of it, it's not something she'd ever want to eat.

 

I wonder if there's a market for that. Toothpaste for the parents of toddlers and preschoolers that tastes like vomit. Hmm.

[WIS0320]

No, just the toothpaste. Why?

 

I'd keep an eye out - it could just be an odd thing that she did or it could be a sign of something else more serious. My daughter has pica and trichophagia. A lot of the compulsion has to do with texture, so if your daughter is eating toothpaste instead of being angry I'd get to the bottom of why she is eating it - does she like the flavor, the texture, how it feels in her throat, etc. My daughter was very recently diagnosed and apparently it has been going on for years. I noted small, odd non-food things in her mouth from time to time but it was never really obvious. People who have the compulsion to eat unusual things will find creative ways to hide what they are doing. Just my $.02.

[Mergath]

I'd keep an eye out - it could just be an odd thing that she did or it could be a sign of something else more serious. My daughter has pica and trichophagia. A lot of the compulsion has to do with texture, so if your daughter is eating toothpaste instead of being angry I'd get to the bottom of why she is eating it - does she like the flavor, the texture, how it feels in her throat, etc. My daughter was very recently diagnosed and apparently it has been going on for years. I noted small, odd non-food things in her mouth from time to time but it was never really obvious. People who have the compulsion to eat unusual things will find creative ways to hide what they are doing. Just my $.02.

 

I don't think it's pica. I've never seen her eat anything else unusual, and the toothpaste tastes like candy.

[happi duck]

And so, on a related subject, can anyone recommend a brand of toothpaste that dh and I can use that tastes really, really nasty? I'll probably still have to use it myself because I have extremely cavity-prone teeth, but I want to make sure that if dd somehow does get hold of it, it's not something she'd ever want to eat.

 

I wonder if there's a market for that. Toothpaste for the parents of toddlers and preschoolers that tastes like vomit. Hmm.

 

I've never tried it but I noticed that Tom's of Maine has a ginger-mint flavor. That might be less attractive to eat...though, sadly, they don't seem to sell vomit flavored, yet...

;)

[Parrothead]

I've never tried it but I noticed that Tom's of Maine has a ginger-mint flavor. That might be less attractive to eat...though, sadly, they don't seem to sell vomit flavored, yet...

;)

 

Don't try the cinnamon. It is not really *hot* like you'd think cinnamon should be. Their peppermint is a bit strong so maybe that would be a deterrent since she seems to like the candy flavored toothpaste. And consider putting a small shelf up close to the ceiling to store the toothpaste in the bathroom. But don't put it over the sink where she can climb up and get it. Either that or you and dh brush your teeth in the kitchen over the kitchen sink.

[Mergath]

 

Don't try the cinnamon. It is not really *hot* like you'd think cinnamon should be. Their peppermint is a bit strong so maybe that would be a deterrent since she seems to like the candy flavored toothpaste. And consider putting a small shelf up close to the ceiling to store the toothpaste in the bathroom. But don't put it over the sink where she can climb up and get it. Either that or you and dh brush your teeth in the kitchen over the kitchen sink.

 

I think I'm going to keep it in the high cupboard above the kitchen sink. Pretty hard to sneak it out of there without me noticing. And she's going to be leaving the door open when she pees from now on, too. :glare:

[carriewillard]

Earthpaste has only edible ingredients, so if she did get into it it wouldn't poison her like fluoride. Try making your own tooth powder? Recipes abound online, I have made it with coconut oil, sea salt, peppermint oil and baking soda. My kids say its too salty and I can't imagine them eating it.

 

I thought pica was caused my malnutrition...

[carriewillard]

Tom's also has an anise flavor that tastes like licorice. I love it but kids might not...

[rebot]

I have been lurking forever. I never thought my first post would be on toothpaste. I have just made it my mission to switch my family to natural toothpaste without fluoride or glycerin that is safe if my youngest swallows it. Here are the ones that we currently have and what we think of them. Hopefully this will help you.

 

Earthpaste: Both of my kids like this. They prefer the mint over the cinnamon. It is an ugly brown color because it is made with clay, but completely safe to swallow. My husband and I like it, but there are others we like better.

 

Toothsoap: I got the liquid. I'm the only one that likes this. My mouth feels clean, but after I'm done I can taste soap in my mouth for a few minutes. Not my favorite, but for the price I'm going to finish it.

 

Uncle Henry's: Children's powder was to strong for my kids. My husband uses the adult paste and loves it. It is strong. I can practically smell his minty breath from across the room after he has brushed. I also like the paste, but dh isn't willing to share since you dip your toothbrush into the tube. The powder is ok, but I feel like I waste some trying to get it onto my brush.

 

Tropical Traditions: So far this is my favorite. It has the right kind of toothpaste taste and looks like tooth paste is supposed to look. I have only been using this for a few days so I'm not sure if it will stay my favorite, but for now it is the first one I reach for.

 

All that to say, for your kids I would get Earthpaste in mint. Cleans great. Tastes good. Some people even claim that small doses of clay is beneficial for health.

[zoobie]

We have switched to a toothpaste with Xylitol and without fluoride. If your DD ate a whole tube, I think she'd just get the runs, which is better than fluoride poisoning. Or having to brush with vomit-flavored toothpaste. :)

 

This one:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B001I90NUO

[Momof3littles]

We also use xylitol containing toothpastes. Xylitol works by killing off the bacteria that cause decay in the first place. DD and DS2 like TJ's fennel xylitol toothpaste; the rest of us use Spry without fluoride.

 

Do you think she reacts to SLS in some toothpastes? I've heard that can cause some people to get cracks or sores around their mouth. I imagine not all of the "natural" brands are automatically SLS free.

[J-rap]

My daughter used to eat toothpaste, and I called the poison hotline when I found it. They weren't too worried. She is 23 now and has never had any tooth trouble.

 

On a side note, when we run out of toothpaste we often use a little baking soda and water. It tastes bad but it works!

[I.Dup.]

Oh no!! I wouldn't worry too much though...as much as fluoride gives me the heebie jeebies I'm sure she'd have to eat a LOT to do any damage. We've had to call poison control and deal with the ER twice re: overdose or suspected overdose (Tylenol and then a cold medicine) and both times they told us the child would have to ingest a TON to do any real harm. I'm sure it's no different for toothpaste. We do avoid fluoride at the dentist's though!

[justamouse]

I have been lurking forever. I never thought my first post would be on toothpaste. I have just made it my mission to switch my family to natural toothpaste without fluoride or glycerin that is safe if my youngest swallows it. Here are the ones that we currently have and what we think of them. Hopefully this will help you.

 

Earthpaste: Both of my kids like this. They prefer the mint over the cinnamon. It is an ugly brown color because it is made with clay, but completely safe to swallow. My husband and I like it, but there are others we like better.

 

Toothsoap: I got the liquid. I'm the only one that likes this. My mouth feels clean, but after I'm done I can taste soap in my mouth for a few minutes. Not my favorite, but for the price I'm going to finish it.

 

Uncle Henry's: Children's powder was to strong for my kids. My husband uses the adult paste and loves it. It is strong. I can practically smell his minty breath from across the room after he has brushed. I also like the paste, but dh isn't willing to share since you dip your toothbrush into the tube. The powder is ok, but I feel like I waste some trying to get it onto my brush.

 

Tropical Traditions: So far this is my favorite. It has the right kind of toothpaste taste and looks like tooth paste is supposed to look. I have only been using this for a few days so I'm not sure if it will stay my favorite, but for now it is the first one I reach for.

 

All that to say, for your kids I would get Earthpaste in mint. Cleans great. Tastes good. Some people even claim that small doses of clay is beneficial for health.

 

 

Thank you!!

 

Also, as an ETA, my first were at the orthodontist yesterday and their Dr (Harvard trained Ortho) was going on and on about their gorgeous enamel (he's done this before) and how he never sees it and he knows it's from not giving them fluoride (when we went for the consult, it was the first thing he noticed and asked if I had them treated).

 

So, stay fluoride free.

[Susan C.]

Well...... they say pea sized fluoride toothpaste swallowed is too much....

 

My dc and I are fluoride sensitive (makes our gums red and burns our mouths). Tom's of Maine has Silly Strawberry, two kinds, with OR without fluoride. It tastes good, but she won't eat fluoride.

 

Maybe keep her toothbrush and toothpaste up high and give it to her when she brushes her teeth, then put it back up? I got the idea from a friend that has many grandchildren, their toothbrushes and toothpaste are all up high in the kitchen.

[UrbanSue]

We make our own toothpowder using the recipe here. My kids don't like it but even if they did eat it, it's nothing harmful. And it works great! We could never go back to toothpaste after using this stuff. Very inexpensive as well.

[Mergath]

We also use xylitol containing toothpastes. Xylitol works by killing off the bacteria that cause decay in the first place. DD and DS2 like TJ's fennel xylitol toothpaste; the rest of us use Spry without fluoride.

 

Do you think she reacts to SLS in some toothpastes? I've heard that can cause some people to get cracks or sores around their mouth. I imagine not all of the "natural" brands are automatically SLS free.

 

No, the brands we had been using were SLS-free. When it started, I couldn't figure out what was causing it and so I brought her to the doctor, who said it's the oils in the natural toothpaste. Apparently he'd seen it a few times before. Sure enough, when we switched to Crest, it went away within a few days.

[Mergath]

Oh no!! I wouldn't worry too much though...as much as fluoride gives me the heebie jeebies I'm sure she'd have to eat a LOT to do any damage. We've had to call poison control and deal with the ER twice re: overdose or suspected overdose (Tylenol and then a cold medicine) and both times they told us the child would have to ingest a TON to do any real harm. I'm sure it's no different for toothpaste. We do avoid fluoride at the dentist's though!

 

She didn't end up with fluoride toxicity, thankfully, but at this point it's the dental fluorosis I'm worried about. If you get too much fluoride when your teeth are still developing, they can come in with brown splotches and be all pitted and nasty.

[Lady Florida.]

I ate toothpaste as a kid simply because I liked the taste. Since she's not eating anything else, that's probably it. Can you keep the toothpaste out of her reach? Get it down when it's time for dd to brush her teeth, but don't let her see where you put it when she's done. I know it would be a pain to put it up high every time you or dh brush your teeth, but this is most likely a temporary problem.

[justamouse]

She didn't end up with fluoride toxicity, thankfully, but at this point it's the dental fluorosis I'm worried about. If you get too much fluoride when your teeth are still developing, they can come in with brown splotches and be all pitted and nasty.

 

She'll be fine. Really. You found out! I mean, what if it had gone longer, you know? So it's over, you found it, and now you can make sure she stays away. She's not 9 and over fluoridated. She's still a little punkin, and I'm betting her teeth will be gorgeous.

[rebot]

Thank you!!

 

Also, as an ETA, my first were at the orthodontist yesterday and their Dr (Harvard trained Ortho) was going on and on about their gorgeous enamel (he's done this before) and how he never sees it and he knows it's from not giving them fluoride (when we went for the consult, it was the first thing he noticed and asked if I had them treated).

 

So, stay fluoride free.

 

That's great of your orthodontist. Our dentist still pushes fluoride every time we go.

[Amy in NH]

Yes, my 2nd ds would eat tubes of Aquafresh toothpaste because he liked the flavor. We had to start buying a different brand. His permanent teeth are not pitted or stained.

[Melissa in Australia]

when I was about 9 the public schools in Australia had a dental scheme. A big bus would come to the school and everyone would go in and have free dental. One of the things they use to do was fluoride treatment. these clear things were put over your teeth and you held a thin tube and this fluoride stuff would flow all round your teeth for a few minutes.

They did the fluoride treatment on my teeth. and while I was having the treatment they were doing dental work on a other child. they forgot about me altogether. about an hour later they 'discovered' that I was sitting in the corner still having the treatment. they told me not to eat anything for a few hours and of I went.

You know that I had my first filling at 37, and people always comment on my extremely white, large teeth. I have met one other person who was forgotten while having fluoride treatment and she didn't have any fillings either.

 

I don't think dentists don't do the fluoride treatment thing any more. though my younger 2 have some extra strength fluoride cream stuff they have to rub on their teeth after brushing, before going to bed.

[Hen]

And so, on a related subject, can anyone recommend a brand of toothpaste that dh and I can use that tastes really, really nasty? I'll probably still have to use it myself because I have extremely cavity-prone teeth, but I want to make sure that if dd somehow does get hold of it, it's not something she'd ever want to eat.

 

I wonder if there's a market for that. Toothpaste for the parents of toddlers and preschoolers that tastes like vomit. Hmm.

 

I am using coral white - which does not have flouride, the mint kind is okay tasting, a bit different, not sweet...but I accidently bought the tea-tree flavor and it was gross.

[Hen]

I have been lurking forever. I never thought my first post would be on toothpaste. I have just made it my mission to switch my family to natural toothpaste without fluoride or glycerin that is safe if my youngest swallows it. Here are the ones that we currently have and what we think of them. Hopefully this will help you.

 

Earthpaste: Both of my kids like this. They prefer the mint over the cinnamon. It is an ugly brown color because it is made with clay, but completely safe to swallow. My husband and I like it, but there are others we like better.

 

.........

 

Rebot,

 

congrats on your first post! Fun one to start off with...we sometimes have pretty crazy threads! :rofl:

 

Welcome to the Hive!

[Mergath]

Thanks so much everyone! I have stopped hyperventilating and have begun to breathe normally again. ;) She's not getting fluoride from any other sources, so hopefully things will be fine. I'll let you all know in two or three years if her teeth turn out okay. :p

[Dory]

Does that actually work? I've heard you don't need toothpaste, but having grown up in the eighties and nineties, there's a part of my brain that's appalled at the idea of brushing without it and is convinced she'll get a million cavities.

 

 

Just thought I'd add that my Grandma used baking soda her whole life and never had a cavity. She had her own teeth till the day she died. My mom only uses baking soda and doesn't have cavity issues either.

[EthiopianFood]

Thanks so much everyone! I have stopped hyperventilating and have begun to breathe normally again. ;) She's not getting fluoride from any other sources, so hopefully things will be fine. I'll let you all know in two or three years if her teeth turn out okay. :p

 

 

Subbing for update! :cheers2:

[lewelma]

Mergath, I just thought you should know that you are not the only one. My ds(9) tonight took a match head, crushed it up, added water, mixed it around with his toothbrush, and brushed his teeth with it! Did you know that 2 match heads can kill a baby?!?! So we had a very long talk about poisons and the fact that you only eat FOOD!

 

Ruth in NZ

[Melissa in Australia]

Mergath, I just thought you should know that you are not the only one. My ds(9) tonight took a match head, crushed it up, added water, mixed it around with his toothbrush, and brushed his teeth with it! Did you know that 2 match heads can kill a baby?!?! So we had a very long talk about poisons and the fact that you only eat FOOD!

 

Ruth in NZ

 

 

What in the earth possessed him to do something like that!

Sometimes kids do the weirdest things :confused1:

[lewelma]

Really, I have no idea. None. But I promise you that he will not be doing it again!

[TXBeth]

Mergath, I just thought you should know that you are not the only one. My ds(9) tonight took a match head, crushed it up, added water, mixed it around with his toothbrush, and brushed his teeth with it! Did you know that 2 match heads can kill a baby?!?! So we had a very long talk about poisons and the fact that you only eat FOOD!

 

Ruth in NZ

 

 

Maybe he thought it would make him breathe fire? :)

[Melissa in Australia]

Maybe he thought it would make him breathe fire? :)

 

 

:rofl:

[joannqn]

Does that actually work? I've heard you don't need toothpaste, but having grown up in the eighties and nineties, there's a part of my brain that's appalled at the idea of brushing without it and is convinced she'll get a million cavities.

 

I haven't been to a dentist in about 11 years. When my teeth start to look a bit yellow, I start brushing my teeth with baking soda for a couple of weeks. It makes them all nice and white again. Tastes horrid. Cleans well.

 

 

I react to SLS. It makes my gums and cheeks rough and swollen. It's not all the time, but is really annoying when it happens. It took a while to figure out what was causing it, but it hasn't happened in a few years since I switched to SLS-free toothpaste. I can't stand the natural toothpastes (Tom's, Jason); they taste bad, make my teeth brown, and I got my only cavity in 16 years after using Jason's fluoride free for just six months. I trashed that toothpaste, found Sensodyne toothpaste (no SLS, had fluoride), and am watching that cavity (which seems to be getting smaller...it's just a speck now).

[raceNzanesmom]

I agree about not worrying about what might happen. We use and love Earthpaste! Toothpowder is good too.

[laundrycrisis]

This one doesn't have fluoride, and I think doesn't have oils either:

 

http://www.drugstore.com/dr-collins-restore-toothpaste/qxp192022?catid=183827

 

It does contain a patented compound called NovaMin that builds up. I've been using it to reduce sentivity since I had a root scaling done. I am hoping it may also build up on the enamel,

[Terabith]

Well, she obviously wasn't eating large quantities at a time, or you would have noticed, right? And you don't have flouridated water, so I'm guessing she just got a similar amount to if you DID. I truly wouldn't worry, and I would just keep using the same toothpaste, but I would lock it up/ put it in the high kitchen cupboard, so that she does not have access. If she was eating tubes of toothpaste, that would be one thing, but small quantities here and there? I wouldn't worry. The odds of there being a problem are pretty darn low. :grouphug:

[SKL]

My kids are not fond of mint flavored toothpaste. I use Toms. Sometimes I use mine on them after a bath (different bathroom from their usual) and they always complain, LOL. I don't worry about them eating my minty fluoride toothpaste, but I am certain they eat theirs. ;) For them I buy fluoride-free yummy stuff from the health food store. Never really looked into all the ingredients, but they have had no problems from using / eating this.

[texasmama]

She's so young that she doesn't understand the concept of fluoride poisoning. Keep the toothpaste hidden and put up. I'm sorry, mama. I understand. My oldest once bit clean through a glass thermometer with mercury in it because she was angry. I hope the mercury didn't harm her. She was about your dd's age at the time.

[Mergath]

Mergath, I just thought you should know that you are not the only one. My ds(9) tonight took a match head, crushed it up, added water, mixed it around with his toothbrush, and brushed his teeth with it! Did you know that 2 match heads can kill a baby?!?! So we had a very long talk about poisons and the fact that you only eat FOOD!

 

Ruth in NZ

 

 

Oh dear. :eek: I don't know what gets into some kids. Though I'm pretty sure we should make sure our kids never meet. God only knows what they'd come up with to eat together.