Sound technical content, curated with aloha by
Ted Mooney, P.E. RET
Pine Beach, NJ
The authoritative public forum
for Metal Finishing since 1989
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Accidentally Swallowing Sodium Hypochlorite during root canal
I had root canal treatment today; I was not warned about the bleach substances used to clean. They used a dam and brace but still some leaked down my throat -- felt on fire, I then felt my mouth fill up with liquid so I sat up and spat out in sink , I wasn't going to swallow a foreign substance so sat up several times to spit out, lucky I was producing lots off phlegm, but now that the injection numbness has worn off, I went to eat something and burnt my throat. I had some milk, it was fine, but all very alarming to say the least .
- Salisbury Wiltshire
May 18, 2021
Q. This happened to me today. Did you recover?
Meghan Dupree- Durham, North Carolina
June 8, 2021
!! I found this thread researching what was put in my mouth yesterday that burned so bad because my Dentist didn't tell me and the assistant who did it, well yesterday was her last day, she had a breakdown and had someone I hadn't seen come ask how I was then the Dentist came in and finished the procedure. I just received a phone call from his secretary just wanting to know how I was doing?! No one told me what the chemical was but the assistant said the needle broke and flooded (what tasted like pure bleach) in my mouth and throat. I told her my throat was on fire but she only offered me a dry suction. When the Dr came in to look in my mouth I told him my throat was on fire. He basically ignored the statement. I left the office. Found something immediately to flush my mouth and throat. Ate something. Hours later I started feeling sick to stomach, got dizzy, weak, and passed out fell into my front door. My daughter thought I was dead. I am leaving for Hawaii vacation for my Birthday today. Wish me luck. Thank you all for your feedback. I have learned through my cancer journey to trust other survivors over what your medical professional is censored from telling you for their own protection.
Terrah KinardPatient - Ardmore Oklahoma
July 29, 2021
⇩ Related postings, oldest first ⇩
Q. I was undergoing root canalling at a local dental center when due to the dentist delaying my request to throw out the liquid in my mouth, I accidentally swallowed the liquid. I almost choked by its pungent smell and even after a period of almost 5 months I keep getting this choking feeling. my voice has become heavy and I keep clearing my throat specially in the mornings to get rid of a seemingly film of something I am not sure, always present in my throat. A visit to the same dentist on two occasions and even an EMT specialist has not helped,who keep assuring that things should be ok soon. Can somebody advise an antidote or tell me what is wrong?
Poonam KochharTeacher - Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India
2007
A. Are you sure you swallowed sodium hypochlorite? This is normally sold as bleach and is a powerful oxidising agent. It is often fatal if swallowed in any concentration. If you did ingest it, I suggest you look up the MSDS for this material and seek the correct medical treatment.
Trevor Crichton
R&D practical scientist
Chesham, Bucks, UK
A. Sodium hypochlorite is routinely used to disinfect the canal during root canal surgery. It's used at a low concentration (maybe about 1%), and the amount used is tiny, less than 1 cc. It's hard to see how that tiny amount could cause a lasting problem.
Jeffrey Holmes, CEF
Spartanburg, South Carolina
2007
A. Hi Poonam. Please see a doctor rather than asking for medical suggestions on the internet. 5 months is a long time, and it is possible that you have a serious medical problem that may or may not be related to that incident.
Regards,
Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
A. Sodium hypochlorite is the standard of care in root canal therapy. It is used to disinfect and dissolve infected tissue from the inside of the tooth once the pulp or nerve has been removed. The tooth being treated should be isolated from the rest of the mouth using a rubber/dental dam. This prevents liquids or instruments from going down the patients throat. Also, as the liquid is introduced into the tooth it should be suctioned up by the assistant before it can escape outside the tooth.
This chemical kills and dissolves tissue, so it is very possible you have tissue damage in your throat which may take time to regenerate. If the damage is too much it may not regenerate. I would consult another EMT and have them look with a scope to see what it going on.
DMD - Miami, Florida
!! Last July 25th, 2007 I was at the dentist getting a tooth filled with a temporary filling before I get a root canal done, and the dental assistant did not put in the dental dam properly. When the dentist was cleaning out my tooth with the Sodium Hypochlorite, it leaked down into my throat, and I ingested it into my throat, tongue, and lungs. The dental assistant and the dentist took me to the ER which was located in the same dental clinic building, and they reassured the ER personnel that it wasn't that bad for me because they said the dentist didn't use very much of the sodium hypochlorite. But in fact, I sat there in the ER bed puking, coughing, and uncontrollably spitting into a bed pan for 4 hours. No one would do anything, and everyone insisted that there would be no permanent damage, but the burning sensation in my throat, tongue, and lungs was severe and I think the dental assistant and dentist downplayed the incident to cover their you know what. It has been a week since this happened, and my lungs feel like they're still damaged. It still hurts to take a deep breath in. Anyway, I would appreciate your feedback. Also, I found out that the dentist typically fills a syringe with about 5 ml. but uses only around 2 ml. to clean the tooth out. I think I may have ingested a lot, but I have no way to prove it, and the dentist kept telling everyone she didn't use that much, but I think she used more than she would admit. Thanks,
Audrey Swartzentruberhomemaker - Anchorage, Alaska
2007
!! Did not realize there would be a follow-up on this. Great that this is public. So I tried to bring a lawsuit against the native health care problem, but no attorney here in Anchorage would agree to be my attorney. Should I bring more attention to this here in Anchorage, Alaska? What does it take to make Alaska lawmakers realize that our native people are overlooked? That the mistakes at Alaska natives' expense needs to be addressed?! My horrible experience was by a lovely older lady, my dental assistant. My point is there is not enough training for procedures that should be considered serious enough to be be surgery. And if you authorize your dental personnel on the dangers of the chemicals they have in their hands, you better be prepared because they hold your health and well being in their hands! Audrey Swartzentruber and I'm on myspace, equal rights.
To Jeffrey Holmes CEF Spartanburg, and all those that have experience with hazardous chemicals if you have any doubt that even a tiny bit of sodium chloride leaking thru the dental dam couldn't really be that bad, why don't you try it yourself? If anyone doubts me, or questions that it really couldn't have been that bad, they should try it out themselves. Of course be prepared to go to the ER. I had a horrible experience with the inexperience of a dental assistant, who carelessly let Sodium Chloride get past the dental dam YES SODIUM CHLORIDE, and then did nothing! Nothing! And I really want to hear back from anyone that works in the ER how such a situation should be handled? ABSOLUTELY no one would help me not even in the ER, they pulled the curtain around my bed and gave me a bedpan to puke into and clear my throat into. The Dental Assistant insisted to everyone in the ER that she didn't put that much in my tooth, but that's exactly my point. IT DOES NOT TAKE THAT MUCH TO INGEST AND HAVE PROBLEMS WITH! So what I really want to know is how the ER personnel could sit back and do nothing when they should have been flushing my mouth and throat out. I mean when this happens, does everyone just think it comes with dentistry or what? I mean I thought I was going to die from continuously hacking, coughing, and puking for 3 endless hours. If that's acceptable, I'm terrified of dental assistants, and the dentists. So, anyone who works the ER and has experience with this happening I would appreciate your input! Thanks.
Audrey Swartzentruber [returning]- Anchorage, Alaska
December 19, 2008
A. Hi, Audrey. Very sorry for your troubles. Please feel welcome to continue to challenge anything that you consider inaccurate -- but we all work very hard to keep this site a pleasant place to visit, and if you attack another poster again the response will not be posted.
I am from the industrial metal finishing field, rather than dentistry, but it seems like it was probably sodium hypochlorite that you swallowed. You appear adamant that it was sodium chloride -- i.e., table salt. Hope you feel better.
Regards,
Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
December 21, 2008
!! I just had a root canal at a new dentist. He also did not use a dental dam and I accidentally swallowed some sodium hyochlorite. I knew this was what it was because I asked the assistant after the dentist left the room because I was choking so badly. He also said "it couldn't have been that much", but seriously, it must not take much of this to cause problems. It tasted like I just drank gasoline, and it still burns down my throat. It was horrible. It looks like the use of this product is causing some major problems and needs to be looked into. There has to be an alternative.
P Woodrow- Dayton, Ohio
January 12, 2009
!! I feel your pain. I have been there, done that, and never want to go through that again. I know what everyone here has gone through because I, too, received a sodium hypochlorite burn after a root canal. During the procedure I felt a horrible/horrible pain followed by burning. I stopped the dentist, but he said the root canal had to progress and I asked what he did that gave me such pain. He said: "I don't know what you're talking about". The next 15 min. were pure hell until the procedure was over. Driving home, the pain was so intense that all I could do was cry. Words cannot describe the pain. My jaw hurt, my gums hurt, even my teeth in the quadrant where he worked were pounding.
By the time I got home my face on the side he worked on was swollen, red and warm, and the inside of my mouth was bleeding, and was very red and swollen. Talking about gums being red! I went to the Emergency Room and was admitted for one week with a sodium hypochlorite burn. I had three surgical procedures to the inside of my mouth to relieve abscesses which formed in the days following the burn. They did relieve some of the pressure, but the pockets of infection just keep filling up and they had to do a few of them until the pus started to clear up. I had CT scans, massive IV pain medications round the clock and then some, steroids, IV fluids, dental consults, etc., etc. Almost $10,000.00 later, I am left with facial numbness that I am told is here to stay from several neurologists. My face feels like it is still numb from dental anesthesia. I drool from the sides of my mouth and have to keep wiping my mouth. I bite the inside of my cheek constantly because it is numb. The same with the inside of my lower lip. The dentist never used a dental dam to prevent spillage of the needle contents when he irrigated the root canal out with sodium hypochlorite - regular HOUSE BLEACH! Yes, people, regular old bleach. If he would have told me he was going to put bleach in my mouth do you think I would have said yes to the root canal. Anybody having a root canal, go to an Endodontist. This is their job. They have the latest up to date treatment recommendations and doing endodontic procedures is their life. Keep the dentist to do the tooth fillings and cleanings. Most importantly, do not let them use SODIUM HYPOCHLORITE.
Hydrogen peroxide
⇦this on
eBay or
Amazon [affil links]
can also be used and isn't as caustic. Talk to anybody who says they are going to use this and tell them you know about sodium hypochlorite and you better not get burned. Always demand the use of a dental dam. Better yet, know your dentist and make sure of his qualifications, but have the root canals performed by an endodontist. Same amount of money, only you're getting the expert.
P.S. I would love to talk to the previous members who have had sodium hypochlorite "accidents" and have written here.
"Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much." -- Helen Keller
- Westminster, Maryland United States
January 17, 2009
A. It's like Chinese whispers...
I will clarify some of the issues here albeit too late.
1) sodium chloride aka salt is er ... salt.
2) sodium chlorite is a bleaching agent.
3) sodium hypochlorite more effective then chlorite and is used for disinfection and dissolving of root canals for dentistry although Chlorhexidine gluconate is more tolerable when swallowed.
From Dr. Spillers dentistry website (More recently, dentists have begun using a 2% solution of chlorhexidine instead of bleach as an irrigating solution. Chlorhexidine is a powerful disinfectant and is not as caustic or as objectionable if it happens to get under the rubber dam)
Going up the scale we then have sodium chlorate and then sodium perchlorate and you don't want to know what they can do...
I would say certainly that the bleach was definitely responsible for the damage reports listed and today I suffered from the same thing during my upper rear tooth root canal. I jumped off the chair....I was coughing, nearly vomiting, no blood though, but the burning at the back of my mouth .... choking, couldn't swallow, very strong swimming pool smell. I don't wish even THAT dose (probably about 0.3 milliliters) on anyone. I am going to make an official complaint ASAP, so that others may not have to suffer that.
- Southend, Essex, England
!! I just had the experience of having my throat burned by sodium hypochlorite during a root canal. I was choking, gagging and fighting to breathe. I was also extremely sick in my stomach. Six hours later my throat still feels like it's on fire. I understand the importance of disinfecting the tooth, but this is actually worse than the pain from the root canal. The Dr. only offered me water. She felt bad, but offered no solution to my terrible discomfort. I'm going to do some research on this chemical used for this procedure. This should be banned.
Joy S.- New Jersey
August 31, 2010
A. I wanted to thank others for sharing their stories on here because I had a similar experience during a root canal about a month ago and my endodontist hasn't fully explained what happened (I think she feels bad, and it was the dental hygienist who made the mistake) so this forum has been helpful. At the end of my root canal procedure about a month ago the hygienist applied too much disinfectant to the tooth and it seeped out into my gums and lungs--it felt like my throat was on fire. I put up my hands in pain and she thought the anesthesia was wearing off but the endodontist came in and told her my pain was coming from the disinfectant overflow and to keep rinsing it out until the pain subsided. They finished the procedure but on the way home my throat swelled up so much I couldn't swallow or breathe without crying. They put me on steroids and antibiotics. About a week later the swelling went down but deep bruising formed on the inside of my throat and started to show up on the OUTSIDE of my throat towards my chest (nowhere near the tooth). It is still there a month later and people keep asking me what happened. I agree that people need more training to use such dangerous material.
Asrida Warrington- Boston, Massachusetts
Q. My Concern is: I went to Dentist for Root Canal, on the very 1st day Dentist did the Cleaning of my teeth & I don't know what chemical she has used and then I was feeling Pain in the Mouth. I talked to the same dentist regarding the same issue, she told me she used the Chemicals which has not suited you; that's a reason you have got a mouth ulcer and she has given me a Dologel (Dr. Reddy Product) and told me use this 6 times a daily in the infected area.
1. I just wanted to know if the dentist told me a truth or not?
2. Is this Dologel correct or not for this type of Infection?
3. Or do I need to consult any other doctor?
Please help.
Thank you
- Mumbai, Maharastra, India
August 10, 2011
Ed. note: Hi, Manish. This is a metal finishing site. In the metal finishing industry we work with certain chemicals like sodium hypochlorite, so questions arise about it. But, sorry, we know nothing about dentistry.
We never censor people who wish to voice their opinions, but it is important to recognize that semi-anonymous internet postings are not authoritative. Please see another dentist. Good luck.
Gosh!! Thanks for this post. I know exactly what you are talking about, but I never knew what the stuff is called. It's a God awful taste and smell, for sure. Wow, I can't imagine swallowing any. I'm not sure they would allow this substance to be used if it posed that much of a danger in small amounts. But, even in a small amount, that phrase "a little bit goes a long way" surely rings true with this material.
- Frederick, Maryland
October 20, 2011
Q. My dad recently went for a root canal treatment when the doctor accidentally left a part of the needle in his gums. The doctor did not care to inform us about this. After a few days of the treatment, my dad felt persistent pain, and also had fever for about 2 weeks with increase count of WBC due to some undetected infection. SO he went for an Xray where this needle was found. We consulted some other doctors after this and they said the needle cannot be removed. But the pain is still there and every few days my dad is detected with some temperature. Can someone please help me out of this?
Radhika Bhalotia- Kolkata, WB, India
June 19, 2012
A. Hi Radhika.
I think you should seek a dentist you have more faith in, rather than asking people on the internet for advice.
You are calling it a needle, but since the dentist and other doctors say it can't be removed, are you sure it isn't the metal "post" the dentist puts in to hold the crown in? Again, I'm certainly no dentist, but I have had a number of root canals and all of them involved permanent metal posts in my teeth.
But sometimes the area does get infected and the post has to be removed and replaced, which I am aware of because my wife had that problem with an old crown just this month. Best of luck to your father!
Regards,
Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
Q. I went to my dentist today to routinely have my teeth cleaned. Everything was fine for 5 minutes and the dental nurse collected saliva by the tube like they normally do. Then the tube they collect saliva with, pumped liquid into my mouth which tasted disgusting and actually felt like it burnt my tongue and gums, after this she proceeded to polish them. I have had the worst headache ever since. Does anyone know what the liquid is or could be?
Pauline James- Hull, East Yorkshire, UK
June 26, 2012
A. About 17 years ago, I had a root canal done, and can still feel pain. The dentist was going to numb it some more and got the syringe with the bleach solution, used to rinse out the tooth during a root canal, and he injected it into my gums. It was so painful, and I continue to have problems from this!
Mary Grogan- Atlanta, Texas USA
September 9, 2012
Ed. note: We don't censor people's feelings or opinions; that doesn't imply that we totally accept their assessment of what went on in the dentist's office; we have no idea :-)
Q. I was wondering if someone can please help me with this. I went to an endodontist for a re-treat treatment (needed to remove the broken file a dentist had left inside my root canal after performing a root canal). The problem was that the dental assistant/hygienist assisting the endodontist touched the side of my face next to the lip with the ultrasonic (I think it is called) and burned a little portion of my skin. It doesn't look like it's healing after 3 months or more. How can I go about filing a lawsuit against the assistant? (Do I need to also file a lawsuit against the endodontist?) It looks like I will have a scar for the rest of my life. Please help me. I paid a lot for this procedure and I still have 300 dollars left to pay. Should I pay them? Your help would be much appreciated. Thank you.
Patty Norman- Sacramento, California, United States
September 26, 2012
A. Hi Patty. If you are seeking redress, go to your phone book and choose a "personal injury lawyer" (if the one on the back cover doesn't appeal to you). The law firm will be able to tell you whether you have a case or not.
It is a mistake to start this process on the internet! The first thing the lawyer may tell you is you shouldn't have mentioned the problem you had with the first dentist because it conveys the idea that you find all dentists incompetent rather than just the one you are suing; plus the 'broken file' might not be factually correct, which would weaken your case (the other side's lawyers will find your postings, Facebook notes, tweets, etc.)
Regards,
Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
September 26, 2012
A. I will attempt to cover some of the issues discussed in this thread. As stated previously, sodium hypochlorite (or NaOCl) is a common irrigant used in root canal therapy. The irrigant can be diluted by adding water to bleach or can be used in its concentrate form (currently 6%). NaOCl is used to disinfect the canal and dissolve pulpal tissue (tissue inside the tooth) 2% chlorhexidine can also be used as an irrigant but it lacks the tissue dissolving characteristics of NaOCl, which may result in bacteria remaining in the canal and decreasing the chance of successful root canal therapy.
Each state/country has laws and "standard of care" guidelines that often dictate what is acceptable treatment and what is negligence. Within the US, performing root canal therapy without a rubber dam is negligence and below the standard of care. For patients allergic to latex the use of nitrile dams are indicated. Under no circumstances should root canal therapy be performed without a rubber dam. Neglecting to use a rubber dam can result in oral tissue being exposed to caustic material or endodontic files being swallowed or aspirated.
Patients should alert the dentist immediately if they taste NaOCl during the procedure; this should be followed by the dentist rinsing the patient's mouth with copious water and reassessing the patient afterwards. If the patient can continue without complications the procedure can continue. If the patient is uncomfortable, is experiencing pain or does not wish to proceed, the tooth should be closed and treatment stopped. In extreme cases the patient should be monitored and or referred for emergency care if indicated. Follow up with the dentist may also be indicated to re-exam the patient for complications.
Prior to treatment patients should have a full understanding of the treatment, materials used and who will be performing each procedure. Any questions or concerns should be discussed prior to treatment.
I hope this helps clarify some issues.
Practicing Endodontist - Seattle, Washington, US
November 28, 2012
Q. It is great to know that other people have experienced what I went through today as my NEW dentist told me that it is not very common. The closer feeling I can put it down to was DEATH. I literally stopped breathing for 5 seconds while CHOKING, GAGGING and almost PASSING OUT after the dentist described as 'bleach accidentally going down my throat'. This is highly NOT normal and this substance should NOT be allowed in dentists. Thing is he wants me to go back there in a weeks time to put more BLEACH in the tooth to finish the procedure! Answer's PLEASE!!
Lauretta
- New Zealand
February 20, 2013
A. I had a root canal today and I've swallowed sodium hypochlorite, my throat is sore. I'm not making a scene over it because IT'S NOT the dentist's fault. It's important that they use it and you've been unfortunate like me and swallowed it. If you've got a problem with it don't go back? Trying to take legal action is a little over the top. It's not medical negligence; trust me I know what medical negligence is.
If you've got a problem you should have confronted it with your dentist instead of bad mouthing them on here, especially when all they was doing was their job.
I know this post is old but I looked it up to see if it was normal and I come across this thread.
- Manchester, Uk
July 23, 2013
Hi Rhee. You found no fault with your dentist and that's good. I too am very confident in my medical and dental caregivers. But that doesn't necessarily mean there are no dangerous and incompetent dentists out there, or that none of the posters have cause for complaint.
I once went to a shaky old dentist who poked my cheek with the novocaine needle. When I flinched he told me it was deliberate ... which I strongly doubted later when I left his office with two cotton blocks still in my cheeks that he had forgotten. Like you suggest, I simply didn't go back :-)
Folks, let's all do our best to focus on education, technical issues, and aloha rather than letting other posters' attitudes get under our skin. Render under Facebook that which is Facebook's :-)
Regards,
Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
opinion! Rhee Pops,
You comment that people should not make a big deal out of this ... Are you really saying it is okay for a dentist to almost kill you? This can be fatal as my throat did swell up so that I could not breathe. What happened to you obviously wasn't that extreme.
- Auckland New Zealand
January 31, 2014
Q. On Dec 3rd I had a root canal here in Port Hueneme. The medication went down my throat. I was tasting it as post nasal drip for about ten days. On Dec. 5th, I noticed I couldn't sing, and my voice has been compromised ever since. can't really talk well. coughing it up and tasting it for about two weeks. Only yesterday as the temporary filling allowed the medicine to ooze into my saliva as I bit down, did I realize that this medicine could have been the cause all along. I was trying to report all the incidents to the ENT doc I was able to see on the 7th and she told me to put my notebook away, so I didn't get to tell her pertinent details. She just told me I had thick vocal chords and reflux. Well, I am assuming I have had reflux for awhile, but why would it affect me this way now? The only missing factor, the bad suctioning and subsequent ingestion of this poison into my esophagus.
Mary Parnell- Fairmount, North Dakota
December 29, 2013
Q. Yesterday I went to a dental clinic and did root canal. During the process I smelled something strange like Bleach and I asked the doctor what it was. He said he was cleaning my root and after some minutes I felt very sharp pain in my mouth such that I sat and said doctor wait for a minute. I asked him did he do anything on lower part of my mouth because the affected tooth was on upper. He said No.. Afterwards my cheek swelled badly and the doctor said it's because of using sodium hypochlorite and it had an explosion from a hole at the end of the root to the other tissues. He explained that it will be improved by 100%. Today the swelling has became smaller, but my cheek and around of my lips are numb. I am so worried about that.
Sara Nouri Hekmat- Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
March 1, 2014
Q. Hi. I swallowed some sodium hypochlorite recently and since for 3 weeks now it hurts to swallow. Please explain? Is it severe?
Tiri McCorriston- Perth Australia
April 2, 2014
A. Hi Tiri. Sorry for your pain. You really need to see a doctor and let him/her advise you whether it's serious. Good luck.
Regards,
Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
Q. I went to the dentist last week to have a root canal and when the dentist went to rinse the root that bad tasting stuff they use ran down the back of my throat and I ended up swallowing it and my throat started to burn real bad and I couldn't breathe and I was coughing and gagging like I was going to die. I asked the dentist what that stuff was that I swallowed and she said it was sodium hypochlorite. She didn't use a rubber dam that day and when I went to have the root canal finished 4 days later she used it that day. I told her what happened and she thought I swallowed down the wrong pipe and didn't believe it was that big of a deal and that I over-reacted. I would know if something was burning my throat and I would tend to believe that I would know if I could breathe or not breathe. Having an experience like not being able to breathe is a scary thing to happen to anyone I would think. Is there anything else they can use to rinse out the tooth other than sodium hypochlorite is my question, besides the rubber dam?
David Staufer- Lakewood Ohio, United States
April 29, 2014
Q. I used hypo to wash. After 10 minutes of soaking, while rinsing the cloth I could no longer breath. My eyes hurts, nose was dripping and I was choking and coughing. I even throw up. Till now I still have serious discomfort in my throat follow with coughing. Please what is wrong and how can I stop this? Please help. Nigeria doctors are on strike.
ettah mathew- calabar, cross river, nigeria
August 10, 2014
A. Hi. As much water as you can comfortably drink, and as much fresh air as you can breathe is the only non-advice I can offer until you find a doctor, nurse, or someone with at least some training.
Regards,
Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
by Weston A. Price, DDS
on AbeBooks
or eBay or
Amazon
(affil links)
!! I recently went for root canal treatment and while irrigating the tooth some of the sodium hypochlorite got past the rubber dam and into my mouth. Fortunately I immediately managed to press my tongue against the roof of my mouth to prevent swallowing and sat straight up and spat it out, although it did burn the back of my throat. The next day my throat was OK. However in the meantime I happened to read Weston Price's research.
and that convinced me to have the tooth pulled instead of continuing with root canal treatment.
retired - ipstones, staffordshire moorlands. england
September 10, 2014
A. Yes I agree with them that you should go and have it checked up rather than gathering info. It's much safer to see a doctor to avoid infection and any harm to you.
James David-Jacksonville, Florida
April 27, 2015
Q. I am going through the root canal treatment. In first and second appointment they cleaned my canal and put some medicine inside the canal. After that they said to come after a month. So that they can check that the canal is healed up properly or not. After the second appointment the gum of tooth swelled up with white centered pus inside. When I smelled the pus, it smelled like chemical or medicine -- pungent smell that they used during the treatment. Is there any serious issue or any side effect of this? Please help me.
sangam kuamrstudent - dhanbad,jharkhand, India
July 6, 2015
! Last week my wife went for a root canal on one of her upper front teeth. To make a long story short, the Dentist drilled through the root into the gums. He did not realize or recognize what he had done. Next he proceeded to wash the root with sodium hypochlorite, still not realizing he had drilled through the root. The solution was injected though out her upper gums and jaw. The whole right side of her face immediately became extremely swollen. A week later her whole right jaw feels like it is on fire and hurts. She cannot drink out of a glass without using a straw.
She is being treated with antibiotics and is extremely scared of what will happen to her.
- Baytown, Texas USA
December 8, 2015
Q. I had an amalgam filling replaced with enamel almost 3 weeks ago. During the procedure I felt something stinging the inside of my gum & had a bad taste but it stopped stinging after a while. The next few days my tooth was fine but my gum was very sore. I returned a week later to be told I had an ulcer to the jaw bone. I was put on antibiotics which made me ill & mouthwash but it's now over a week & still not cleared up. The dentist said he hadn't seen anything like it before. Doesn't know whether it was an allergic reaction but said it was like having a dry socket. The pain is worse than childbirth & I'm sick of it. I do have an auto immune disease & are reluctant to have anymore dental work done.
Michelle Thompson- Sydney, NSW, Australia
November 26, 2016
So sorry for your suffering, Michelle. Dental pain can be miserable. But you seem to need referral to a dentist who has seen the condition you are experiencing. Readers of this site are probably unlikely to be able to help. Best of luck through this hardship.
Regards,
Ted Mooney, P.E. RET
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
! My dentist failed to establish that the tooth's nerve was single, not double and consequently drilled through the tooth whilst trying to find it! The dental dam didn't save me as the 5% sodium hypochlorite went through the tooth and ended up going down my throat.
It was the most frightening thing that has ever happened to me, as I couldn't breathe, made more frightening because it was so unexpected and shocking.
The dentist, who I've been with for decades, was completely unperturbed and showed little concern for my welfare. He said that it had never happened before and tried to play down the seriousness of the incident by showing me the syringe and saying that he had only used a little drop, as if this would allay my very real distress.
How can this procedure be allowed, without some warning beforehand that this could happen?
I have made an appointment with a doctor, as there is a white/yellow patch at the back of my throat, which the dentist said he couldn't see.
- London England
October 30, 2017
A. Hypochlorite is the standard procedure to disinfect the root canal before filling.
A dentist who lets it run down your throat is a boob.
Root canal treatment isn't exactly brain surgery.
Not likely you have any permanent damage, but find a better dentist next time.
Jeffrey Holmes, CEF
Spartanburg, South Carolina
Jeffrey Holmes
Thanks very much for your reply to my experience of sodium hypochlorite going down my throat.
I decided immediately as you suggested not to go back to the dentist, despite having been with him for 20 years.
I'm now getting pain from the adjacent tooth as well and still having some sensitivity and mucus at the back of my throat.
I have put off returning, but now intend to go back and see the dentist responsible, to find out which tooth he drilled into. Depending on his replies and attitude, I will then decide what course to take, as I do feel aggrieved and must sort this out.
Thanks again,
- London England
Q. Freaking out a bit after reading all of this. Literally just had a root canal and feel like my mouth is full of bandaids (smell and taste). I keep spitting my saliva out scared to death to swallow it. No dam used. Freaking out more bc I have gone through breast cancer last year and am worried I have just put toxins in my body.
Jen Keeler- Dallas Texas
June 28, 2018
A. Hi Jen. So sorry about your hardship last year.
This is certainly not a dentistry site … just a metal finishing site that went a little off the rails. But I'd be confident that while a drop of diluted household bleach in your tooth tastes a bit funny it isn't dangerous.
Regards,
Ted Mooney, P.E. RET
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
Q. I had a regular clean up of my tooth that had undergone a root canal treatment. Today the doctor irrigated the canal with a pungent smelling liquid which almost made me vomit. There has been a temporary loss of taste since then, and the most important thing is, I developed an abscess right under the tooth that has undergone the root canal treatment. Can anybody help me on this?
Kokil Barman- Guwahati, Assam, India
September 23, 2018
! Everyone that has had a root canal needs to understand that there is inherent risk to doing any dental procedure. Root canal unfortunately gets a bad rep due to the chemical we as dentists have to use in order to clean the inside of the tooth. Yes chlorhexidine or other chemical can be used but sodium hypochlorite 1% is the gold standard because it can dissolve necrotic tissue and that is why it is preferred.
Now there are many reasons how the irrigating solution can be extruded from inside the tooth to outside the tooth. It could be due to poor rubber dam placement or the very tip of the root of the tooth where the opening is very large or eaten away by active infection. Now my brother who was also a dentist did a root canal on me and some sodium hypochlorite escape from the opening in the roots of my tooth into my surrounding bone and it hurt like crazy. I was lucky and nothing happened afterwards.
I would say if you find a responsible dentist that knows how to properly read your situation these things will happen LESS. But do understand that if your dentist feels bad about what happened they probably made a mistake as we are human as well. So if you want to make sure that doesn't happen, maybe go see a root canal specialist every time you need root canal. Just know that you will be paying more for it.
And probably don't consider comments from people that are not actually dentists saying root canal is easy and getting sodium hypochlorite in your throat is noob because they really have no knowledge about the subject to be making that kind of statement.
Dentist - B.C. Canada
November 3, 2018
A. Thanks very much Dr. Harry. We deleted your last name because, despite our efforts to maintain the aloha spirit on our pages, people are people -- so somebody in pain may angrily misquote/misinterpret you. It's probably better that they read what "a dentist" offers rather than attributing the statement to a particular dentist :-) But if you prefer, we'll re-instate your name and remove my reply.
Regards,
Ted Mooney, P.E. RET
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
Q. I have had to have root canal twice on an upper molar. The 2nd time when the endo was done he sprayed something in the tooth it went thru and dripped out my nose and down my throat . It stung so bad.it felt like it was in that side of my face. I still have pain in that tooth and have argued with ent and endo that the tooth was crowned without root canal causing infection that actually broke thru sinus canal making me sick for months to the point I have an ekg in my heart. Each of them pointed at each other for many months. I thought my theory correct after that 2nd root canal due to that stuff coming out my nose. They disregarded that incident. Today reminded me of this issue once again because that tooth hurts. I am fearful to complain and have endured this issue years after. Can anyone give advice please? Thanks, Beth
Elizabeth Mk- Hilliard Ohio usa
January 17, 2019
!! So I was having a root canal 4 days ago and was almost done with the first half when suddenly I feel this liquid run down my throat and burn me like no tomorrow, I jumped up, I was freaking out, coughing and spitting into the sink I thought I was going to be sick (I was when I got home) my throat was on fire, they had to stop the procedure and the dentist freaked on the assistant who I really like.
When I got home I was sick, my throat burnt and I felt terrible I took some antacids and went to sleep.
The next day I woke up my throat was 80 percent better and I felt fine, around lunch I ate this small homemade apple tart the first food since the root canal then about 45 minutes later my stomach was on fire, if I drank water it burned it didn't matter.
At the time I didn't realize I had swallowed Sodium Hypochlorite, I thought it was fluoride and was surprised I could find nothing on the internet when I searched for a long time it was only today when I went back to the dentist that I learnt what it was.
So it's been 2 days since I ate the apple tart and I didn't try food again until today.
Even with the prescribed antacid (I went to my Dr because my stomach was a volcano) and Pepto pills, a toasted English muffin with one thin slice of cheese had my stomach burning -- thankfully not as bad, so it is slowly getting better, but it's been a MISERABLE EXPERIENCE
I get it was an accident BUT why is this Sodium Hypochlorite being used ? Clearly, I'm not the only person to have this accident happen to them, IT'S ACTUALLY A CHEMICAL BURN, WHY IS THIS STUFF EVEN ALLOWED?
I wanted to share my experience sadly I doubt this will be the last post on the topic I'm sure more will be posting with similar situations
- Toronto , Ontario, Canada
February 9, 2019
Comment: I experienced the same thing during my root canal yesterday. I started to gag and sat up. The aide asked if I wanted to rinse and proceeded to squirt water in my mouth. She later told me it was a cleaning agent and safe to swallow. I apologized to both the aide and the dentist for causing a fuss. Now after reading these comments, I believe they should have been apologizing to me.
steven valone- Chicago Illinois USA
February 26, 2019
Comment: I had a root canal yesterday. And the same thing happened. I was sent to specialist which I thought okay great this is all they do so I will be in wonderful hands. About the middle of the procedure this liquid came over the baffle and down my throat, I seriously thought I was going to die. I couldn't breathe without coughing, the dentist is saying, " this has never happened before, I can't figure out why some got in your throat. After I'm trying to get the rubber away from my face so I can breathe and the assistant, "oh don't remove that or we will have to start all over". I'm thinking, well kinda like to breathe ya know ... horrible experience.
Theresa Miller- wichita, kansas USA
April 24, 2019
Aloha all, how is this thread still alive in 2020! I love the Dentist! A clean mouth is a happy mouth :-)
Dreamer/Survivor - Medical Lake, Washington, USA
March 13, 2020
Q, A, or Comment on THIS thread -or- Start a NEW Thread