Can hard candy crack a tooth? Cracking a tooth can be both shocking and painful. During the holidays, unfortunately, it’s more common than you think. Here’s everything you need to know about why your teeth are more prone to breaking during the holiday season.
Can Hard Candy Crack a Tooth?
Like any bone in your body, teeth can break and it can be an uncomfortable experience to say the least. Hard candies are known for breaking teeth if you bite down on them incorrectly.
Why Is It More Common to Crack a Tooth During the Holidays?
Hard Candy and Candy Canes
During the holidays, hard candies like candy canes are a staple. Unfortunately, all it takes is biting into one the wrong way and you can crack your tooth. We recommend avoiding crunching on hard candies—try letting them dissolve in your mouth instead. Just make sure to rinse your mouth and brush your teeth afterwards!
Stress
When you’re stressed, you’re more likely to grind or clench your teeth. This can sadly lead to broken teeth. One thing than can help is asking your dental for a mouthguard—this will help prevent any grinding or clenching.
Less Focus on Oral Health
When you’re eating more sugar, traveling, and maybe not brushing your teeth as often, this can lead to weakening of your teeth. Tooth decay will make your teeth more prone to breaking. To combat this, make sure to brush and floss your teeth regularly, as well as stay hydrated.
What to Do if You Break a Tooth
If you break a tooth, don’t panic! Contact your dental office as soon as possible as delaying treatment for a broken tooth can make the problem worse. Before going in, you’ll want to mentally assess the damage: is it a small chip or a big crack? Are you having a lot of pain?
Some dental offices offer emergency dental care that can help even on the weekends, but if you can’t get in soon, make sure to rinse your mouth with warm saltwater as this will help wash away harmful bacteria. If you’re experiencing swelling, you can apply a cold compress. We also recommend using the opposite side of your mouth to chew food for now.
Finding a Dentist in Bloomington, MN and St. Louis Park, MN
At Krengel Dental, we’re not your average dentist. We do everything we can to help your smile shine. If you’re looking for a dentist in Bloomington, MN or St. Louis Park, MN, we would love to help you at one of our metro locations. Visit our contact page to book an appointment with us.
