Dental emergencies aren’t always avoidable, but there are many steps you can take to drastically lower your chances of one occurring. Brushing your teeth twice a day, flossing daily, and visiting your dentist regularly will help you avoid preventable dental problems. However, you may be surprised to learn that some of your favorite foods can increase your risk of an oral emergency. You might accidentally break or crack one of your teeth while snacking – and it could happen at the worst possible moment. Read on to learn which foods you should watch out for.
Popcorn
For some people, a movie night can feel incomplete without a bucket of popcorn. While munching away on the fluffy popped kernels, you should be careful to avoid accidentally biting down on the unpopped ones. These can be difficult to spot amidst the bigger pieces. Not only can the unpopped kernels crack your tooth, but they may bruise it, making it painful to bite down. If your tooth cracks or breaks, you’re at risk of the nerve becoming exposed. To avoid any complications, make sure you seek dental treatment right away if you accidentally damage your tooth.
Nuts
Nuts are a tasty and nutritious snack, but they can also pose a danger to your smile. If you use your teeth to crack open shelled nuts like peanuts or pistachios, you may accidentally cause tooth problems. Over time, the edges of your teeth will wear down and become thin. They’ll be more prone to chipping or breaking. You should also be aware of the nut casing, as it can easily become lodged and cause severe gum irritation and inflammation.
Hard Candy
Whether it’s a lollipop or a cough drop, hard candies can be detrimental to your oral health if you prematurely chew them before the candy dissolves in your mouth. Many people make the mistake of chewing them instead of savoring them. If you attempt to bite hard candy before it dissolves, you can cause potential harm to your teeth and jaw.
Corn on the Cob
You’ll find corn on the cob at almost every summertime cookout – it’s a staple! However, this buttery delight can put the edges of your front teeth at risk. Since the shape of your front teeth isn’t designed for biting and grinding into corn cobs, they can easily chip or fracture while you go to town on your corn. As a result, you may be left with a jagged tooth and smile. To lower your risk of a dental emergency, you can remove the kernels off the cob beforehand instead of eating them straight from the cob.
Do you see any of your favorite foods on this list? Rest assured – you don’t have to say goodbye to them! As long as you take the right precautions, you can eat anything you like and lower the potential impact these foods can have on your teeth.
About the Practice
At Clinton Township Family Dental, we strive to create a relaxing and comfortable environment for all patients. Our goal is to help families achieve and maintain their healthiest smiles. From routine checkups to complex restorative treatments, we’ve got everything your family needs for optimal oral health. If you want to learn more about foods that can contribute to chipped teeth, visit our website or call (586) 416-1444.