Foods That Can Chip Teeth

When eating, many people don’t take the time to consider the way they’re chewing their food. Afterall, eating is about enjoying a tasty meal. Unfortunately, this can sometimes result in damage to one’s pearly whites, especially where certain foods are concerned. So you can avoid dental damage, read on to learn about some foods that ship teeth, why having a chipped tooth is so dangerous, and what can be done to fix it.

Foods That Can Chip Teeth

Sweet treats like cookies and candy aren’t the only foods that can damage your smile. These foods are full of cavity-causing sugar, but there are other ways that your smile can become damaged. Some foods that can chip teeth include:

• Pretzels, baguettes, biscotti, and other hard breads
• Hard candies like peppermints
• Dried meats like beef jerky
• Popcorn kernels
• Corn on the cob
• Ice cubes
• Peaches
• Cherries
• Olives
• Seeds
• Nuts

The Dangers of Chipped Teeth

A chipped tooth can do more than just make your smile look lopsided. The sharp edges a chipped tooth creates can cut your lips, tongue, cheeks, or gums. Chipped teeth also have a higher chance of breaking, which may eventually lead to the need for an extraction. Additionally, sensitivity is a common cause of a chipped tooth. Chips also weaken one’s enamel, which makes you more likely to develop cavities.

If the chip is pretty big, this lets bacteria into the tooth. This can cause a serious infection, which can only be treated with a root canal. Though this procedure is nothing to be afraid of and is virtually painless through the use of modern techniques and technology, it’s best to avoid this issue by preventing chipped teeth.

How Your Dentist Can Repair a Chipped Tooth

If consuming foods that can chip teeth results in a damaged smile, there are several things that your dentist can do to repair it, including:

• Dental fillings – A tooth-colored dental filling is often used to repair a cavity and may be able to repair a chipped tooth if only a small piece of enamel has broken off.
• Porcelain veneers – These thin porcelain shells cover the front of a tooth and can mask cosmetic issues like chips and cracks.
• Dental bonding – A composite, tooth-colored material is used to cover up cosmetic flaws like chips.
• Dental crown – These tooth-shaped caps encircle the visible part of a person’s tooth and can improve both the look and function of a seriously damaged or decayed tooth.

As you can see, there are several foods that can chip teeth and cause a dental emergency. By avoiding these foods or being careful while you eat them, you can prevent this and keep your smile looking its best!

About the Practice

Do you have a chipped tooth that needs to be repaired? Dr. Cooper Owens and Dr. Shannon Duqum are here to help. They offer treatments like porcelain veneers, dental bonding, fillings, and crowns to cover up or fix a chipped tooth. Your smile will be back on track before you know it! To make an appointment with Dr. Duqum and Dr. Owens or for more information on their services, visit their website or call their office at (440) 466-4884.