It’s true, tooth enamel is the hardest substance in the human body. However, this doesn’t mean your teeth can withstand everything that they may touch. There are a number of foods that can crack a tooth and cause traumatic dental injuries, and while you don’t necessarily have to avoid them entirely, you should know what they are, exercising caution every time you eat them.
To create awareness of foods known for chipping teeth, we’ve compiled this handy list of the most common. Keep these in mind, so you don’t wind up turning your next meal into a trip to your endodontist’s office.
In the event that you do crack or chip your tooth, you should talk to your dentist or reach out to Access Endodontics by calling 410.304.7226.
Dr. Lina Jarboe, Dr. Burton Waxman and their team of dedicated dental professionals can help restore the form and function of your damaged teeth, allowing you to smile and eat comfortably once again.
The Most Common Foods That Can Crack a Tooth
If you want to keep your smile in pristine condition, make sure you’re careful when eating the following foods. You may even want to avoid them entirely if your teeth are particularly delicate.
1. Nuts and Seeds with Shells
Your average cashew or peanut typically won’t be hard enough to damage a tooth. Still, things like sunflower seeds and pistachios, which most often come shelled, have been known to send people to the endodontist. Avoid biting directly into the shells and you shouldn’t have any issues with these otherwise healthy snacks.
2. Popcorn
Don’t worry; your favorite cinema snack isn’t much of a threat to your dental health. It’s those little unpopped kernels at the bottom of the bucket that you need to worry about. Popcorn kernels are very hard, and they’re not something you want to be chewing on if you’re looking to protect your teeth. Keep an eye out for them, and you should be just fine.
3. Anything with a Pit
Olives and cherries are adored by many, but your teeth won’t like them very much if you wind up biting into a pit at the wrong angle. All you really need to do is eat these snacks with a bit of extra care or opt for pitless varieties, and you shouldn’t experience any dental damage.
4. Hard Candies
You should limit your candy intake overall, if you’re looking to care for your teeth. Specifically hard candies offer an extra challenge to your healthy smile. On top of the decay-causing sugar candies are made from, a bite down on a hard candy could crack your teeth if you’re not careful.
It’s okay to indulge here and there, but be sure to exercise caution when you do.
5. Ice
Ice isn’t necessarily a food, but it is a common culprit when it comes to cracking and chipping teeth. If you have an ice chewing habit, understand that your teeth can only take so much before you may require a visit to your endodontist.
Other Foods that Can Crack Your Teeth
Here are a few other foods that can chip a tooth if you’re not careful:
- Food with bones
- Hard bread
- Jerky
- Biscotti
- Corn on the cob
It’s also not recommended to chew on hard non-food items, such as pen caps, as they could easily damage your teeth if you’re not careful.
Traumatic Dental Injury Treatment from Access Endodontics
If you have a chipped or cracked tooth, don’t wait to see an endodontist. Speak with your dentist or contact Dr. Lina Jarboe, Dr. Burton Waxman at Access Endodontics today by calling 410.304.7226.