Chewing: Why Forcing It Isn’t The Answer

Oh, what to do when you see that particular piece of food sitting on a plate before you as you salivate and think to yourself, “There’s no way I should force my teeth to try to bite into that” … but you really want to? The answer, of course, is to turn it down (or to find a way to eat it safely). We know that you may have a lot of faith in your smile and assume that forcing it just this one time is worth it. However, we strongly advise against it in order to protect your oral health! Learn more.

You May Break A Tooth

When you make yourself eat something that your teeth cannot easily tear apart or break down, you are positioning your tooth tissue for a crack or a serious break. Teeth are very durable and resilient but cannot withstand any and all pressure you place against them. Avoid such foods if you want to keep your oral health safe.

You May Harm Your Jaw Joints (And Encourage Bruxism)

When you force yourself to bite extremely hard or tough foods, you may end up harming your TMJs. These are your jaw joints, technically called temporomandibular joints. When they become injured and impaired, we refer to this as TMJ disorder. Unfortunately, the problem may further cause concerns, contributing to bruxism (a disorder during which you grind or you clench your teeth). Skip all sorts of functional complications by chewing food your smile is readily capable of breaking down without resistance.

That’s What Utensils Are For!

If you find the food you’re thinking about consuming irresistible then don’t forget: There’s a serious collection of utensils out there for just about anything you can imagine. Whether you need a fork and knife, a nutcracker, or otherwise, let some other tool make the food easier to eat before you indulge, so your oral health doesn’t suffer.

Protect Teeth From Harm With Our Care

In addition to making wise choices for your smile at home, we invite you to see us for twice-a-year visits that will ensure your smile remains healthy and you know how to protect it. Get the information and treatment you need in Celina, TX by contacting Celina Family Dentistry to schedule a visit today at (214) 851-0130.