As strong as your teeth are, they’re not immune to damage. Sometimes biting down on certain foods can end up chipping or cracking your enamel, forcing you to schedule an emergency visit to your dentist. If you want to keep your smile safe, you need to be mindful of what you’re eating. Below are 5 common examples of foods that could crack your teeth if you’re not careful.
1. Popcorn
Fully popped popcorn shouldn’t put your smile at risk, but the same does not hold true for unpopped kernels. Your teeth can stand up to all kinds of foods, but biting down on an unpopped kernel could fracture or otherwise damage them. To stay on the safe side, you should give the bowl a shake; this will cause unpopped kernels to fall to the bottom, making it less likely that you’ll grab them on accident.
2. Shelled Nuts
Using your teeth to crack open peanuts, pistachios, and other shelled nuts may save you some time in the short term, but it can also wear down your enamel. This can eventually leave your teeth more susceptible to becoming chipped or cracked. It’s generally better to take nuts out of their shells before you try chewing on them.
3. Bones
Do you often eat chicken legs and ribs? If so, you need to be careful; it can be all too easy to bite down on the bone by accident and damage your teeth in the process. It may be safer to cut the meat off so that you don’t have to worry about the bone while you’re enjoying your meal.
4. Hard Candy
Peppermints, jawbreakers, and other hard candies are meant to gradually melt in your mouth, but it can be tempting to try and crunch them. However, doing so can be bad news for your teeth. It’s best to be patient and savor the candy while it dissolves on its own.
5. Hard Breads
Bread is typically soft, but there are plenty of hard breads as well; common examples include toast, bagels, pretzels, and biscotti. As with other hard foods, these types of bread could end up damaging your teeth if you don’t exercise caution. Many hard breads are still somewhat soft immediately after being taken out of the oven, so it’s advisable to eat them right away.
There are other foods that could chip or crack your teeth under the right circumstances. It may be a good idea to ask your dentist about other foods to watch out for. The more aware you are of threats to your teeth, the easier it will be to keep your smile safe.
About the Author
Dr. Michael McCleaster went to the University of Medicine & Dentistry of New Jersey for his Doctor of Dental Medicine, and he has completed a General Practice Residency at Morristown Medical Center. He uses veneers and crowns to help patients suffering from chipped or cracked teeth. To schedule a consultation with Dr. McCleaster at McCleaster Family Dental in Ledgewood, visit his website or call (973) 598-0800.