Food That Will Cause You To Chip Your Teeth
Chipping your tooth is a painful experience that I had the misfortune of going through twice. Though in my case it was not due to chewing something; rather, it was one of the "benefits" of having older siblings. However, interestingly enough, there are an alarming number of foods that are hard enough to break a tooth or two if bitten in just the right (or wrong) spot.
How much force does it take to break a tooth?
In general, it takes around 200 to 400 newtons to successfully break a tooth. By comparison, it takes around 200 to 250 newtons to crush a soda can. Essentially, your tooth, unlike your bones, cannot handle much force being applied to it. And in case you were wondering, it takes around 3,000 to 6,000 newtons to break a bone.
Which foods can cause a chipped tooth?
Knowing how fragile your teeth are, you'd certainly benefit from knowing which foods you should be careful with. So, for your viewing pleasure, here is a list of foods that can cause chipping.
- Jawbreaker Candies
- Unpopped Popcorn Kernels
- Fruit Pits and Seeds
- Bone-In Meat
- Hard Candies
- Ice Cubes
- Hard Pretzels
- Almonds
- Crusty Bread
- Caramel Candies
- Pistachios
- Raw Carrots
- Hard Granola Bars
- Toffee
- BBQ Ribs
- Crab Legs (with shell)
- Bagels (when stale)
- Energy Bars
- Peach Pits
- Uncut Apples
- Hazelnuts
- Pizza Crust (when overcooked)
- Hard Tacos
- Rock Candy
- Frozen KIND Bars
- Frozen Chocolate Bars
- Pop Rocks (if bitten into)
- Skittles
- Peanut Brittle
- Butterscotch Hard Candy
- Frozen Snickers Bars
- Smarties
- Frozen M&M's
- Candy Canes
- Frozen Peanut Butter Cups
- Lollipops
- Nougat
- Milk Duds
- Frozen Cheesecake Bites
- Crunch Bars
- Peanuts in the Shell
- Biscotti
- Sunflower Seed Shells
- Sesame Seed Brittle
- Bit-O-Honey
- Toblerone (especially when cold)
- Frozen Twix Bars
- Chocolate-Covered Espresso Beans
- Frozen Gummy Bears
- Frozen Grapes
Chipped tooth repair cost
When I got my chipped tooth repaired, the cap itself was covered by my insurance fully, but if I were to pay cash, it would've been $350 per tooth. Of course, these were 2019 prices, so adjusting for inflation you can expect to pay around $584,203,938 per tooth... joking, of course. The current cost at the time of writing is between $500 and $1,000 per tooth.
How to avoid breaking your tooth
If you have sensitive teeth or have just been scarred by past trauma, there are a few things you can do to avoid cracking your smile and the subsequent dentist visit. All of these tactics are free and relatively simple to perform.
- Eat food on its wider side - Avoid biting down directly on sharp, narrow parts of hard food. Doing so is akin to using a chisel to break away at stone. Skittles and seeds are more likely to chip your tooth if bitten while vertical.
- Be Mindful of What You're Eating - It's easy to forget just how tough some foods can be until it's too late. Before you dive into that bowl of popcorn or crack open that bag of hard candies, take a moment to assess the situation. Are you about to bite into something that's more like a rock than a snack? If so, maybe let it dissolve a bit or opt for something gentler on your teeth.
- Use the Right Tools, Not Your Teeth - We've all been guilty of using our teeth as makeshift tools. Whether it's opening a stubborn bag of chips or trying to crack open a nutshell, it might seem convenient in the moment, but your teeth aren't built for that kind of work. Keep a small pair of scissors or a nutcracker handy, and save your teeth for what they do best—eating.
- Chew Slowly and Carefully - Sometimes, in our rush to finish a meal or snack, we forget to chew slowly. When you're in a hurry, you're more likely to bite down hard on something unexpected, like a hidden pit or an unpopped popcorn kernel. By slowing down, you give yourself a chance to notice anything that might be lurking in your food and avoid a painful mistake.
- Consider the Temperature - Frozen treats, like ice cream bars or frozen candies, can be especially dangerous for your teeth. When food is that cold, it's not just harder to bite—it can also make your teeth more brittle. If you can't resist the cold treat, give it a few minutes to soften up before digging in, or enjoy it in smaller, manageable bites.
- Stay Hydrated - This might seem unrelated, but hear me out. When you're dehydrated, your mouth produces less saliva, which is essential for keeping your teeth strong and your enamel intact. Without enough saliva, your teeth are more vulnerable to damage. So, drink plenty of water throughout the day to keep your mouth (and your teeth) in good working order.
- Be Cautious with Hard Candy - Hard candy is a classic tooth-breaker. If you've ever bitten down on one of these sweet treats, you know exactly what I'm talking about. The best way to enjoy hard candy is to let it melt in your mouth slowly. Biting down too soon is a surefire way to find yourself with a chipped tooth and an emergency trip to the dentist.
- Listen to Your Teeth - Yes, you read that right. Your teeth can give you signals when they're under stress. If you feel a sharp pain or even just a bit of discomfort while eating something hard, stop immediately. Don't push through the pain—it's your body's way of telling you that something isn't right. Take it as a sign to switch up your eating habits before it's too late.
In addition to these tactics, consuming foods that bolster your teeth's defenses can go a long way. Here are some really tasty enamel strengthening foods that you should incorporate into your diet.
- Cheese
- Leafy Greens
- Apples
- Almonds
- Yogurt
- Carrots
- Salmon
- Oranges
- Eggs
- Celery
Alongside these enamel-strengthening foods, it's essential to make sure you're getting the right vitamins for teeth enamel. Vitamins play a crucial role in maintaining and enhancing the strength of your enamel, ensuring that your teeth stay resilient against wear and tear. Below is a list of key vitamins that can help bolster your enamel's defenses.
- Vitamin D
- Calcium
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin K2
- Phosphorus
- Vitamin A
- Magnesium
- Zinc
- Fluoride
Each of these vitamins for teeth enamel contributes to your overall dental health in unique ways. For instance, Vitamin D is critical for calcium absorption, while Vitamin K2 helps to ensure that calcium is deposited where it's needed most—in your bones and teeth, rather than in your arteries. Pairing a balanced diet rich in these vitamins with enamel-strengthening foods like cheese and almonds can create a powerful defense against enamel erosion.
At the end of the day, keeping your teeth intact is all about being mindful of what you're doing. It's easy to get caught up in the moment, especially when you're enjoying your favorite foods, but a little bit of caution can go a long way in preventing painful and costly dental mishaps.
If you're looking for some safer, healthier alternatives to hard candies, head over to my random fruit generator for some healthy, sweet ideas.
Posted by: Matt Irving on 08/14/2024
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