Our teeth were meant to chew a variety of different foods. That’s right! Foods. Not pen caps, not fingernails, not stubborn clamshell packaging when you can’t locate the scissors. But sometimes even food can cause damage if you aren’t careful. If you’re worried about breaking a tooth and would like to keep your choppers as healthy as possible, here are a few edible items that could put you at risk for chips and cracks, and some delicious alternatives that don’t carry the same risks.
Sweet Surrender
If you’ve got a sweet tooth, you probably already know how hard of a habit it can be to break. But cutting certain candies from your diet is still easier than breaking an actual tooth. Thus, to avoid risk to your pearly whites, stick to safer options like chocolate to satisfy your cravings and keep your teeth in one piece. Hard candies can easily chip teeth, and even gummies, caramels, or taffy can loosen dental work and cause damage.
Ice, Ice, Baby!
Crunching ice is a refreshing way to stay cool and hydrated without the calories, but ice cubes can be dangerous to teeth. Thus, if you must chew ice, stick to the “good ice” or nugget ice. This ice is made differently so it’s easier to crunch and doesn’t pose as much of a risk to your teeth.
Hard Breads
Hard breads are delicious, but can be dangerous to teeth, too. If you do indulge, try softening them up by dipping them in olive oil first. For hard cookies like biscotti, use them as they were intended and dunk them in coffee first. This will help soften them up, so your teeth don’t have to do all the legwork!
Nuts & Seeds
Nuts and seeds are an excellent way to get essential fats and protein, however in their natural form they are often dentally detrimental. Don’t skip these nutritious powerhouses, just stick to softer varieties like pecans and walnuts, or opt for a blended nut or seed butter. Also, should you choose to buy them still in their shells, don’t use your teeth to crack them open!
Broken Teeth Are the Pits
Pitted foods like olives, cherries, peaches, and avocados can be damaging if you aren’t expecting them. Even purchasing “pitted” varieties isn’t an exact science, because there’s occasionally one that’s missed. If you decide to eat one of these fantastic foods, just be extra careful that you remove all pits prior to indulging, or bite down very gently just in case!
Remember, your teeth were only designed to chew foods, but not all foods are inherently tooth safe. If you do decide to eat items from these categories, be sure to proceed with caution, or opt for less dangerous varieties.
About Dr. Shroff
Dr. Roshan Shroff is constantly learning about dentistry and all the benefits of having excellent oral health. He has earned certifications in dental implantology, Invisalign, and occlusion treatment, and he continues to complete between 50-100 hours of continuing education every year, which is a whopping 2-3 times the state requirement!
To schedule an emergency dental appointment with Shroff Dental Arts, please visit our website or call us today at 303-632-3622.
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