A cracked tooth is a dental fracture that can range in severity from a minor craze line to a complete split tooth. These fractures occur when stress placed on the tooth exceeds the structural capacity of the enamel and dentin. While a craze line is a superficial crack in the outer enamel layer, a fractured cusp or a vertical crack can extend deeper, exposing the inner pulp tissue and nerves. Understanding which foods pose the greatest risk of causing this sudden, acute damage is the first step in prevention.
High-Impact Hard Foods
Foods that require extreme or sudden bite force are frequent culprits in dental fractures, as they create immense pressure that the tooth cannot withstand. Chewing ice cubes, for example, combines the physical hardness of the frozen water with a thermal shock, a combination that can easily lead to a chipped or fractured tooth. This is particularly true for teeth that already have large fillings or existing micro-fractures.
Hard candies, such as lollipops or jawbreakers, are designed to be dissolved slowly, but biting down on them applies a concentrated force that can instantly break the tooth’s surface. Similarly, nuts still in their shell, like walnuts or pistachios, are dangerous because the shell’s crystalline structure is significantly harder than the nutmeat. Using teeth as a tool to crack these shells often results in dental injury.
Foods can become a hazard when their density is high or they have gone stale. Bagels, hard rolls, and dense bread crusts require an abnormally high and sustained biting pressure to break them down. This mechanical stress can cause fractures, especially in the molars, which are subjected to the highest forces during chewing. Tearing these foods into smaller pieces instead of biting directly reduces the risk of structural damage.
Risks from Unexpected Foreign Objects
A distinct risk comes from foods that contain unexpected foreign objects that cause a surprise impact. The sudden contact with an unyielding material is a common mechanism for acute dental trauma. One frequently cited example is the unpopped kernel hidden within popcorn, which presents a sudden, dense obstacle.
Accidentally biting down on bone fragments in meat or small, hard pits in fruit, such as olives or cherries, can instantly generate enough force to fracture a cusp. These items are often camouflaged within softer food textures, meaning the jaw applies maximum force with no sensory warning. Foreign objects measuring between 7 mm and 25 mm are considered capable of causing serious dental injury, highlighting how even a small, hard inclusion can be an outsized threat.
Immediate Steps After Dental Damage
If a crack or fracture is suspected, perhaps due to sudden, sharp pain or increased sensitivity to temperature, immediate action is necessary to prevent further damage. The first step is to gently rinse the mouth with warm water to clean the area and remove any food debris. If there is any bleeding, a clean piece of gauze can be applied with light pressure for about ten minutes to help stop it.
Applying a cold compress to the outside of the cheek near the injured area can help reduce swelling and alleviate pain. Over-the-counter pain relievers, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, can be taken as directed, but never place aspirin directly on the gum tissue as it can cause a chemical burn. If a piece of the tooth has broken off, collect it and bring it to the dentist, ideally stored in milk or saliva to keep it moist.
It is paramount to contact a dentist immediately, even if the pain seems minor, because a crack can deepen and worsen over time. A sharp edge on the tooth can be temporarily covered with dental wax or a piece of sugar-free gum to protect the tongue and inner cheek from lacerations. Avoiding chewing on the damaged side of the mouth is also important until the tooth can be professionally assessed and treated.