Your teeth bite and chew constantly throughout the day without issue. Under high amounts of pressure, a durable tooth can chip, crack, or fracture. This dental injury needs urgent dental treatment to repair and restore your oral health.
An accidental blow to the face, or even a hard bite, can break a tooth. Ideally, you should preserve your natural teeth for as long as you can. At Gettysburg Smiles, Dr. Rita Tempel can treat your dental injury with cosmetic or restorative dentistry, but prevention is always better. Here are four foods that present a high risk of cracking or chipping a tooth.
4 Types of Foods that Can Damage Your Teeth
Be careful when or if you regularly eat these foods, because it could chip or crack a tooth.
Popcorn
One of the most common foods that can cause tooth breakage is popcorn. Even after cooking, some unpopped kernels might remain in your bowl.
If you bite down on popcorn kernels, you could easily chip or crack a tooth. If this occurs, you will need prompt evaluation and treatment from a dentist. Otherwise, the injury will deepen and harmful bacteria can enter your tooth.
Bagels
Chewy breads like bagels have a deceptively dense and hard texture. Biting into a bagel without caution puts you at risk of breaking a tooth.
The danger comes from how you bite. If you tear into a bagel with your front teeth, you apply force at an angle those teeth aren’t designed to handle. That’s when cracks happen.
Hard Candy
Many people feel tempted to bite on hard candy. If you do, you could crack or chip a tooth. If you don’t think you can resist biting this treat, avoid it. Too many sugary foods and candy can also increase your risk of tooth decay or cavities.
Corn on the Cob
Eating corn on the cob could put you at risk of cracking a tooth. Though it can be fun to eat corn straight from the cob, your teeth are not made to bite into a hard cob. Grating your teeth against this hard item poses a major risk of dental injury.
So when possible, eat corn off of its cob. But if you want to try corn on the cob, eat with caution. Don’t wait to tell your dentist if you injure one or more of your teeth.
What to Do If You Crack a Tooth in Gettysburg
You bite down on a popcorn kernel and feel something give. Now what? First, rinse your mouth with warm salt water. That cleans the area and reduces inflammation. If there’s bleeding, apply gentle pressure with gauze.
Second, avoid chewing on that side of your mouth. Don’t test the tooth to see if it still hurts. That makes the crack worse.
Third, call our Gettysburg office. We’re located at 2018 York Rd. Our new patient line is (717) 853-1552. Our current patient line is (717) 339-0033. We’ll get you in as quickly as possible.
Treatment Options for a Cracked Tooth
Not all tooth chips or cracks are the same. Treatment depends on the type and severity:
- Craze lines are tiny cracks in the enamel. They don’t hurt and usually don’t need treatment. Dr. Tempel will monitor them during routine exams.
- Fractured cusps happen when a piece of the chewing surface breaks off. Dental fillings or a dental crown can repair this.
- Cracked teeth extend into the tooth structure. The crack may be visible or below the gumline. A crown protects the tooth from further damage. If the crack reaches the pulp, you may need a root canal before we place a crown.
- Split teeth extend all the way to the root. The tooth can’t be saved, and an extraction is necessary. Dr. Tempel will discuss replacement options, including dental implants.
Dr. Tempel’s AACD accreditation means she’s trained in advanced aesthetic and functional evaluation. She restores teeth to look natural and function properly, not just patched up.
How to Prevent Future Cracks
Avoiding hard foods is one step, but prevention goes deeper. If you grind your teeth, ask about a custom night guard. Dr. Tempel fits patients with guards that protect their teeth during sleep. A guard absorbs the force of grinding so your teeth don’t take the pressure.
If your bite is uneven, ask about bite evaluation. Dr. Tempel can identify areas where teeth meet too soon or too hard. Adjusting the bite reduces stress on individual teeth.
If you have existing crowns or fillings, have them checked regularly. Old restorations can loosen or fail over time. A loose crown allows bacteria underneath, which weakens the tooth and makes it more prone to cracking.
If you play contact sports, wear a mouthguard. A custom sports guard from our office protects your teeth from impact. Store-bought guards don’t fit as well and often fall out during play.
Protect and Repair Your Teeth
Don’t wait if you just broke your tooth on a kernel or hard candy. If you need cosmetic or restorative dental care in Gettysburg, call Dr. Tempel today at (717) 853-1552. You can also request an appointment with her online.