‘I’m a dentist – these are the 5 foods most likely to crack a tooth’

A dentist has revealed five everyday foods that could leave people with a chipped or cracked tooth and warned that some damage may not be immediately visible.

While healthy teeth are strong enough to withstand normal chewing, biting down unexpectedly on something very hard can cause damage. Teeth with large fillings, decay or existing cracks may be particularly vulnerable.

Dr Deepa Chopra, dentist at Whites Dental, said: “A cracked tooth does not always happen because someone has poor dental health. Sometimes, it is simply the result of biting down at the wrong angle on something much harder than expected.

“The damage can range from a small chip to a deeper fracture affecting the inside of the tooth. Even if there is no immediate pain, it is important to have the tooth checked before the crack becomes worse.”

Here are five foods that could place teeth at greater risk.

Chewing leftover ice may seem harmless, but its hardness can place considerable pressure on the teeth. Dr Chopra said: “Ice is one of the most common things people chew without thinking about the potential damage.

“Both the ice and the tooth are extremely hard, so something has to give when enough pressure is applied. People with fillings, crowns or already weakened teeth may be particularly at risk.

The unpopped kernels left at the bottom of a popcorn bag can be easy to bite accidentally. “The problem with popcorn kernels is that people are expecting something light and soft,” Dr Chopra explained. “When they suddenly bite down on a hard kernel with the same force, it can crack a tooth or damage an existing filling.”

Hard sweets are often kept in the mouth until they dissolve, but biting or crunching them can put excessive force through a tooth. Dr Chopra said: “The temptation is often to bite down once the sweet becomes smaller. However, hard sweets can still be strong enough to chip enamel, fracture a weakened tooth or loosen dental work.”

Olive stones, cherry stones and fruit pits can cause damage when someone bites into them unexpectedly. “Hidden stones are particularly risky because you do not have time to adjust how hard you are biting,” Dr Chopra said. “Even foods advertised as pitted can occasionally contain fragments, so it is worth chewing carefully.”

Small pieces of bone can sometimes remain in chicken, ribs, fish or other meat dishes, creating another unexpected hard surface. Dr Chopra said: “A tiny piece of bone can easily be missed, especially when it is covered by sauce or mixed into a dish. Biting down forcefully could chip a tooth, crack a filling or damage a crown.”

Signs of a cracked tooth can include pain when biting, sensitivity to hot or cold foods, a rough or sharp edge, or discomfort that comes and goes. Dr Chopra said: “Stop chewing on the affected side and rinse your mouth gently. If a piece of the tooth has broken away, place it in milk or saliva and take it with you, as a dentist may sometimes be able to reattach it.

“Do not try to repair the tooth using household glue or continue testing it by biting down. Contact a dentist, even if the pain settles, because cracks cannot heal themselves and may worsen without treatment.”