Overview

During dental treatment we take care to make sure that small items and bits of equipment are kept safe and secure. However, it is still possible to swallow or breathe in (inhale) objects during dental procedures.

This does not happen often. If your dental team think you have swallowed or inhaled an object, you might be sent for an X-ray. This will confirm if there is an object, and where it is.

If there is an object, you might not need any treatment. This depends on what the object is, its size, and where it is.

A few people need treatment to remove the object. This happens for 1 or 2 of every 10 people (10 to 20%) who swallow or inhale an object.

It is important that you do not eat or drink anything until you leave hospital after dental treatment. This is in case you need treatment to remove the object before you leave hospital.

If you have swallowed an object

When an object is swallowed, it will travel into the digestive tract (gut). This includes the food pipe (oesophagus), stomach and intestines. 

Most objects will travel naturally and safely through your digestive tract, and be passed in your poo (stool). If this is the case, you will be sent home. You will be given instructions about how you should check your poo for the object.

If the object is not likely to pass in your poo, your dental team will contact a doctor to arrange for the object to be removed. This might be done with surgery, or by putting a thin tube (endoscope) into your mouth and down into your stomach.

Care at home after swallowing an object

If you have any symptoms that you are concerned about after swallowing an object, please get medical attention straight away.

If you have inhaled an object

When an object is inhaled, it will go into your windpipe (trachea), or lungs.

It is very important to make sure that your breathing is not affected. If it is affected, this will be treated as an emergency.

If an X-ray shows the object is in your windpipe or lungs, it will need removing. Your dental team will contact a doctor to arrange this. It might be removed with surgery, or by putting a thin tube (bronchoscope) into your mouth and down into your windpipe and airways.

When you are at home after treatment, your dental team will contact you to see how you are.

Next steps

If you have swallowed or inhaled an object during your dental treatment, a full investigation of the incident will take place. This will look at how it happened, and what we can do to stop it happening again. If you have any questions about this, please contact your dental team.