Foods That Can Easily Chip Your Teeth

It’s home movie night, but you’re not ready to hit the play button until you’ve got a big bowl of popcorn in your lap; however, did you know that those buttery, fluffy kernels pose a health hazard for your teeth? Popcorn, along with other certain foods, has the potential to chip and fracture your teeth if you aren’t careful! Here are some of the other foods you should avoid, to save yourself from an emergency dental visit.

What Foods Can Chip My Teeth?

There are many different foods that could potentially chip, crack, or damage your teeth, including:

• Popcorn (un-popped kernels)
• Corn on the cob
• Nuts with hard outer shells (peanuts, pistachios, sunflower seeds)
• Hard candies (lollipops, jawbreakers)
• Pits (from cherries, peaches, olives, etc.)
• Bones (from chicken wings, fish, etc.)
• Hard bread and tough nutrition bars
• Jerky
• Ice cubes

It’s a little unreasonable to avoid everything on this list entirely; in fact, it would be tragic to go through life without having tried some of these foods. However, a little caution and moderation will go a long way. Always look before you bite into something, and chew slowly and carefully to avoid any sudden injuries from occurring. Hopefully, you’ll catch anything problematic before it’s too late.

What Should I Do If I Chip My Tooth While Eating?

Let’s say you simply can’t resist, and after indulging in one (or many) of these items, you’ve unsurprisingly chipped one of your teeth—what’s the correct move? In most cases, a chipped or cracked tooth usually results in a trip to the dentist. Be sure that you stop eating and call your dentist immediately before additional damage is done. 

Your dentist will want to know how the tooth was fractured, so be honest. This is not an admission of guilt; they need to know what happened as part of evaluating the issue. If the injury extends below the gumline, they’ll want to handle it immediately. However, minor chips and cracks are usually not as urgent and the pain can be remedied at home with over-the-counter painkillers, rinsing with warm water, and applying a cold compress. You’ll still need to see your dentist, but there is less urgency.

Your teeth can become chipped and cracked quite unexpectedly. However, by simply evaluating your dietary habits and thinking before you eat, you’ll likely save yourself an emergency trip to the dentist because of a pesky kernel of popcorn.

About the Practice

DeMartino Dental Group has served families in the Phillipsburg community for several decades. They are led by Dr. Jeffrey R. DeMartino and Dr. Nelida Garcia-DeMartino and offer a wide range of services including cosmetic, preventive, restorative, and emergency dentistry. If you or a loved one is suffering from a chipped tooth and would like to schedule an appointment, you can contact the practice through their website or by telephone: (908) 859-5260.