A jawbreaker is a large, dense, layered hard candy made primarily of compressed sugar, corn syrup, and flavorings. The candy’s name suggests it can cause serious injury to the mouth or jaw. This concern is valid because jawbreakers are designed to be extremely hard and require a long time to dissolve. Understanding the mechanical forces involved helps evaluate the true risk profile of consuming this candy.
Primary Dental Damage: The Immediate Threat to Teeth
The most common danger posed by a jawbreaker is significant dental injury. The candy’s intense hardness can easily damage the brittle structure of tooth enamel. When a person attempts to bite or crunch the candy, the resulting force can exceed the fracture resistance of a tooth.
This impact can lead to chips, cracks, or complete tooth fractures. Teeth with pre-existing conditions, such as large fillings or root canal treatments, are particularly susceptible to this trauma.
Existing dental restorations like crowns, veneers, or fillings are also at high risk of damage or dislodgement. Repetitive stress from biting a hard object can create microscopic fissures in the enamel. These micro-fractures may increase tooth sensitivity and create pathways for future decay.
Skeletal Risks: Understanding Jaw Stress and TMJ
An actual fracture of the jawbone, or mandible, from biting a jawbreaker is exceedingly rare. The force required to break a healthy adult mandible is much higher than the maximum bite force a human can generate. The average human bite force at the molars ranges between 120 and 200 pounds of force per square inch (PSI).
The primary skeletal risk involves the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), which connects the jawbone to the skull. Hard candy consumption requires prolonged and intense engagement of powerful jaw muscles. This sustained effort can lead to muscle fatigue and inflammation within the joint capsule.
The repetitive strain of attempting to crush the candy can aggravate or trigger temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD) symptoms. These symptoms include jaw pain, difficulty chewing, or a clicking or popping sensation in the joint. While the candy is unlikely to snap the jawbone, it can cause significant discomfort and dysfunction in the joint and surrounding musculature.
Safe Consumption Practices
The safest way to consume a jawbreaker is by allowing it to dissolve in the mouth rather than attempting to chew or bite it. This method bypasses the mechanical stress that causes dental and joint injuries. Sucking on the candy minimizes the risk of sharp forces being applied to teeth and dental work.
If you must crunch the candy, wait until the jawbreaker has dissolved significantly, making it smaller and softer. This ensures the pressure required to break the remaining piece is less likely to cause harm. Consumers should also be mindful of any existing jaw pain or clicking and discontinue consumption immediately if discomfort begins.
Practicing time limits for consumption helps mitigate the risk of jaw muscle fatigue. For those who frequently crave the texture of hard candy, switching to softer alternatives, like chocolate or soft lozenges, can satisfy a sweet tooth without the associated fracture risk.