Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

Toothbrush Bristle Stuck In Throat Please Help

I have a toothbrush bristle stuck in my throat.  I've had two CT scans.  They saw something there that measured about the same length but they said it could have been plaque or something else.  I had a laryngoscopy and the doctor couldnt find it.  He said if they couldn't get it out through that proceedure that they'd have to cut my neck open to LOOK for it. A truly scary thought.  I got a second opinion from a doc who said see if it comes out on its own in two weeks.  Because they were uncertain about EXACTLY what they were seeing in the CT, some of these folks think its in my head or is just a scratch.  I know it's a bristle because one came out of the brush earlier that day and the fool that I was I used the same toothbrush again and felt one of those bristle going back there but couldn't stop it.  I felt it get stuck and it's been there ever since.  About a week.  I am terrified.  What's going to happen to me and what should I do.  Please someone help.
7 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
Avatar universal
I feel for you.  Have you tried gargling with very salty water, repeatedly?  Salt is natures antibiotic.  I do relate to your story, because I have an ear swab in my ear!  It was a freak of nature that it got there.  I was drying my ear after a soak in the bath, when all of a sudden the swab was not in my hand anymore!  I was in total disbelief it could have gone into my ear that easily and painlessly.  That was last October; it is now February, and it remains in there.  No medical person has actually seen the swab in my ear, because it has covered over with a thick skin; I know this because a piece of it came out the other day with a salt rinse.  Salt is the answer to your problem!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
i swallowed a bristle today. just eat bread.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I had the same thing happen.  I used a flashlight and my serger tweezers and managed to remove it looking in a mirror.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Same thing happened with me..a bristle got stuck in throat but after some hours by eating and drinking simultaneously got rid off the problem..so if u came across the same don't worry it will be resolved..take care..Thank you
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
the same thing has just happened to me, i was able to get the first one out of my mouth....forgot it happened then used the brush again...no i have one in my throat...glad it worked out for you...hope i have the same luck
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thank you for responding.  I am shocked to say that my symptoms have gone away.  I do not have pain in my throat nor do I feel the sensation of the bristle anymore.  I don't know if this means it was absorbed by the skin or mucus or what have you, or if it was just a scratch or something.  Either way, I am thrilled and feel as though my life has been given a second chance.  I will take your advice with me to the doc on this Wednesday.  Thank you for taking the time to help people in this way.  It really does mean a lot.  

Helpful - 0
1 Comments
Omg same happened to me today, I'm freaking out!!!! It feels like it's stuck up in the area behind that  thing that hangs down from the roof of your mouth in the back. I've tired everything to get it out, can't see it. How long before yours worked itself out?
Avatar universal
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hi, results from imaging studies are usually correlated with clinical symptoms. Do you have pain in the neck? or do you have pain with swallowing? If you do not have any symptoms now, your doctor may want to wait and watch to see how the CT detected lesion is progressing and if you will develop symptoms or not. Based on the changes detected your doctor will plan therapy. Good luck. Regards.
Helpful - 0
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the Ear, Nose & Throat Community

Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Popular Resources
Think a loved one may be experiencing hearing loss? Here are five warning signs to watch for.
Discover the common causes of and treatments for a sore throat.
Learn about what actually causes your temperature to spike.
Find out which foods you should watch out for.
Family medicine doctor Enoch Choi, MD helps differentiate between the common cold and more threatening (bacterial) infections
Dr. Steven Park reveals 5 reasons why breathing through your nose could change your life