The accidental ingestion of a dislodged dental structure presents a common, generally benign scenario. This occurs when a tooth, whether naturally shed, fractured, or extracted, is unintentionally swallowed.
The body’s digestive system is well-equipped to process such an occurrence. Gastric acids efficiently break down the primarily mineral composition of the tooth. The resulting components are then safely eliminated as waste. No significant health risks are typically associated with this process. The tooth’s small size and inert nature prevent obstruction or adverse chemical reactions within the digestive tract.