No matter how well you take care of your teeth, a dental emergency can strike when you least expect it to. For some people, it can happen while snacking on their favorite food! The good news is you can avoid these unwanted incidents by eating carefully. In this blog post, we’ll explain which popular (and surprising) foods can easily chip your teeth and send you straight to your emergency dentist in Atlanta.
Popcorn
Although popcorn itself doesn’t pose a threat to your oral health, the unpopped kernels do. If you’re not careful, you may accidentally damage your teeth while eating some tasty movie-theatre popcorn. Biting down on an unpopped kernel can lead to a cracked, broken, or bruised tooth. As a result, you risk exposing the nerve of your tooth and increasing your risk of needing a root canal. You can prevent these accidents from happening by eating your popcorn slowly and only grabbing a few pieces at a time.
Nuts
Nuts are one of the healthiest snacks you can eat! However, they can cost you a trip to your emergency dentist in Atlanta if you’re not careful. You should avoid using your teeth to crack open shelled nuts like peanuts, sunflower seeds, and pistachios. Otherwise, it can lead to unwanted dental problems. It can wear down the edges of your teeth and make them vulnerable to chipping or breakage.
Hard Candy
Unsurprisingly enough, hard candy is the worst type of treat for your smile. Lollipops and jawbreakers can damage your teeth if you chew them before the candy has a chance to dissolve in your mouth. Since hard candy is meant to be savored instead of chewed, biting it can result in a chipped or cracked tooth.
Ice
Many people like to munch on leftover ice after finishing a cool drink. Although this habit may seem harmless, it can damage your teeth by causing cracks and leading to increased sensitivity. Instead, it’s best to let the ice cubes slowly melt in your mouth. Doing so will allow you to enjoy the cooling sensation for much longer without putting your teeth at risk.
Corn on the Cob
You can find buttery corn on the cob at almost every summer cookout! However, this tasty treat can harm the edges of your teeth if you bite directly into the cob to enjoy the kernels. Because our pearly whites aren’t designed to bite and grind into the cob, doing so can damage your smile and leave you with a jagged tooth. You can keep your teeth safe by removing the kernels off the cob beforehand to prevent any accidents.
Don’t worry – you don’t have to forego these snacks completely! As long as you’re more careful while eating them, you can avoid a visit to your emergency dentist in Atlanta.
About the Author
Dr. Peter Pate is a proud graduate of the University of Tennessee School of Dentistry. Since then, he’s practiced general dentistry and has helped countless patients achieve their very best smiles. If you accidentally chipped a tooth while eating your favorite food, don’t hesitate to reach out for assistance. Dr. Pate will work quickly to get you the prompt relief you deserve. You can schedule an emergency appointment via his website or call (404) 266-9424.