According to the ADA Health Policy Institute, "23 percent of adults are embarrassed about their teeth or gums." From this report, about 1 out of 4 Americans are reluctant to smile for this very reason. In fact, not all dental irregularities are caused by dental issues or periodontal disease. There are also foods that can have an impact on your teeth. Learn more about how 8 common foods can cause your teeth to chip or crack below.
8 Foods to Avoid for Healthy Teeth
- Hard Candy
Consequently, what you eat does matter. While we all love our sweets here and there, both children and adults, hard candy can cause your teeth to crack or chip. Biting or chewing on an excessive amount of hard candy can have a detrimental impact on your smile.
- Ice Cubes
After a cold drink, you may be tempted to chew on a few ice cubes, but that's one of the worst things you can do for your teeth. Frequently eating ice can impact your tooth enamel. Researchers suggest that craving ice-chewing can be the result of other issues like Pagophagia or chronic anemia. However, all dental professionals agree that consuming ice cubes is extremely bad for your teeth.
- Citrus Foods
Citrus foods can eat away at the enamel and cause increased risk of tooth decay. A weakened enamel will make it easier for other foods to damage your teeth. You may be tempted to put a hint of lemon or lime in your drinking water to add flavor, but the acidic nature isn't always the best thing for your teeth.
- Coffee
You need it. We need it too, but consuming large quantities of coffee and tea can stain your teeth; especially if you’re sipping on it throughout the day. What's worse is adding sugar. Any add-ons also have a detrimental impact on your teeth. If you are going to consume large quantities of coffee or a sugary beverage, it's best to drink plenty of water afterwards. Coffee and tea can also cause your teeth to become sensitive, making it easier to crack or chip.
- Dried Fruits
Dried fruits may be on the top of your list for healthy foods, but they too can have a serious impact on your teeth. Dried fruit can be quite sticky and linger on your teeth longer than other foods. It's important to rinse your mouth after eating dried foods and trail mix.
- Protein Bars
Protein bars may seem healthy, but they're hard and can stay stuck to your teeth long after you've eaten one when eating on-the-go. More importantly, there is nothing worse than biting into a crunchy protein bar and chipping or cracking your tooth. Some types of protein bars can also get stuck in your teeth and lead to plaque build-up.
- Meat
It's not the meat that can chip or crack your teeth, but rather the bones. Meats like chicken, pork chops, and steak contain hard bones that can have a major impact on your teeth. To avoid chipping or cracking your teeth, consume boneless meat products. Bones can also cause you to lose a filling or fracture part of your whole tooth.
- Popcorn
The kernels in popcorn can crack or chip your teeth. Unfortunately, popcorn kernels can get stuck in your teeth, deep under your gum tissue, and be difficult to remove by yourself.
Fixing a Broken or Chipped Tooth
Chipping your tooth can be a traumatic experience that leaves you unwilling to smile in front of anyone. If you think you've chipped your tooth or are suffering from tooth pain, it's important to see a dentist as soon as possible. Ideal Dental's expert dentists can provide the following cosmetic dentistry options to treat the condition, relieve pain and regain your confident smile.
Veneers
If you're looking for a more permanent solution to fixing your teeth, veneers are a medium-cost, highly effective treatment that will last—all while making you feel like you’re worth a million bucks. Veneers are a way for dental patients to improve their smiles as a minimally invasive treatment option. Veneers are an extremely thin covering of porcelain that fits over your tooth to enhance the shade, shape, and overall appearance. They are ‘glued’ on using a special type of bonded resin cement. Not all patients are candidates for veneers, so feel free to ask your dentist what options are best for you.
Dental Crowns
Dental crowns are a great opportunity to restore your teeth with full covering. The tooth is restored to its natural shape and size with minimal pain. The crown is cemented into place to fully protect the tooth that lies at and above the gum line. Dental crowns can be used to protect a weakened or damaged tooth. They can be made of several different materials, either porcelain, metal or a combination thereof. Your dentist will decide if a crown is the treatment required and what the best materials are for your tooth.
Dental Implants
Dental implants are an option for patients with missing teeth, but they also work well for people with damaged teeth. The procedure is safe but requires a dental impression of your teeth and jawline for the best fit. Implants can replace a single tooth or a few missing teeth if you are a good candidate for the procedure. For those patients missing most of their natural teeth, a set of four to six implants are placed in your arch to support a full set of dental implants. However, there is some pain associated with healing following placement of dental implants, but the recovery will be different per person. You must follow the dentist's instructions to avoid further complications with dental implants.
Root Canal
A root canal is used to save or repair a badly decayed and/or cracked tooth. You will be numb for the procedure which may seem uncomfortable because the nerve and pulp are removed. The inside of the tooth is cleaned and sealed before being covered with a crown. Without a root canal, the tooth can become infected and abscessed or even need to be extracted. When the pulp inside your teeth becomes deeply infected or inflamed, a root canal procedure may be needed to restore your teeth. A root canal is a routine procedure where the nerve is removed after the whole tooth has been disinfected. The ‘canal’ or hollow space inside the tooth filled and sealed off with a unique thermoplastic material called gutta percha. It is heated and placed inside the tooth prior to being covered by a crown. Do you think you’ve chipped a tooth? Are you experiencing any tooth discomfort at all? We’d love to help you feel better. We know it’s not easy to find a dentist you can see last-minute. Find the location nearest to you to schedule an appointment as soon as possible!