Calcium is an important mineral essential for the development and maintenance of strong teeth and bones. The FDA recommends getting between 1,000-1,200 mg of calcium every day depending on your age and activity level. In the past, cow’s milk was touted as the be-all and end-all way to get the calcium your body needed. But what do those with lactose intolerance, vegans, and people watching their weight do when dairy is no longer a possibility? Fortunately, there are many other (and sometimes healthier) choices out there.

Here are 6 non-dairy choices so you can keep your bones strong and healthy:

Beans- A favorite substitute for meat, beans are high in protein, fiber, and also pack an incredible calcium-rich punch.

Bone Broth- While this option is off the table for vegans, bone broth is an amazing and flavorful way to get calcium. Boiling and simmering chicken, lamb, beef, or fish bones over long periods of time allows the calcium and other minerals to dissolve into the water. Bone broth is also high in the amino acids proline and glycine which are important for skin health, the nervous system, digestion, and cellular turnover.

Calcium-Fortified Foods- Nowadays cereal, orange juice, soy milk, and energy bars come with added calcium. Be sure to check the label though, because these foods can also be highly processed and may contain added sugars and fats.

Seeds- Many seeds not only provide protein, fiber, and healthy fats, but seeds like chia, sesame, and poppy also pack a lot of calcium. Sprinkled on salads or blended in your morning smoothie, seeds are a great way to add calcium to your diet.

Canned Fish- Canned sardines and other fish are a great way to up your calcium intake, but be sure your canned fish includes the bones because that’s where most of the calcium lies. Anchovies’ salty, briny, nutty flavor can be a great-tasting addition to many recipes instead of adding more salt.

Kale- Kale and other dark leafy greens are not only high in calcium but so versatile you may never get bored with eating them. Kale, collards, and spinach, to name a few are also high in fiber to fill you up, without adding extra calories to your diet.

This short list just scratches the surface of amazing calcium-rich alternatives to dairy products. Even if you do eat cheese and enjoy the occasional glass of milk, the above choices are a great way to add variety and flavor to your diet while making sure your teeth and bones stay strong and healthy for life.

That magical day is here! The straight smile and functional bite you’ve bled for, packed ortho wax on, and foregone caramels and popcorn for is ready to shine on its own. All your dedication to wearing those clear aligners 22 hours a day is about to pay off. Your orthodontic treatment is complete! But wait, is it?

In a nutshell, no. No, it isn’t. While the active part of your treatment might be complete, there is maintenance needed to make sure those pearly whites stay put.

Why Do I Need to Wear a Retainer?

Your jaw, head, neck, and facial muscles are always moving, and your teeth shift slightly throughout your lifetime. A tooth is like a post in the ground. It’s firm, but if you rock it back and forth, it will eventually loosen and shift. Even though your teeth are solid in your bone, the ligaments around your tooth allow a small (very small) amount of movement. Daily chewing, biting your nails, using your teeth as tools (tsk, tsk), grinding your teeth at night, and even the natural aging process can stretch those ligaments, causing slight shifting of the teeth.

Even after orthodontic treatment, the ligaments around your teeth “remember” where they were before. Wearing your retainer religiously erases this memory over time, and the risk of shifting lessens – but never goes away.

If you don’t wear your retainer, shifting over time can become an issue. It can affect your bite or cause headaches. A little shifting after your braces are removed or your clear aligner treatment is complete is normal, but to avoid significant shifting, it is recommend that you wear your retainers at least occasionally for the rest of your life.

Different Styles of Retainers

There are a few different types of retainers. Some are removable, and some are cemented to your teeth and cannot be removed (for a while anyway). Depending on your treatment, you may need to wear your retainer all day, every day for several months and wear it at night indefinitely.

Some retainers fit over your teeth like clear aligners. In fact, if you used a series of clear aligners, you may be able to use the last set as your retainers.

Some are made on a plaster model and fit on the roof of your mouth or behind your lower front teeth using little clips to snap into place. These also need to be removed when you eat and be cleaned regularly. These retainers are often made in a lab and can be made in different colors, with logos of your favorite sports teams, glitter-infused plastic, and other designs that vary from lab to lab.

Permanent, or fixed, retainers are a thin piece of custom-fitted wire that is bonded to the tongue-side of your teeth. As the name suggests, these aren’t removable. They can be brushed and flossed around, although flossers and proxabrushes can help make cleaning around them easier.

Caring for Your Retainer

Keeping your retainer clean is just as important as keeping your mouth clean. Bacteria, food particles, and plaque can get stuck in your retainer, not only making your breath smell bad, but creating a breeding ground for germs.

Brush your retainer to keep it fresh and clean but remember that hot water warps the plastic. Never, ever put your retainer in the dishwasher or boil it in water.

Keep it in its case when you’re not wearing it, so it doesn’t get lost or thrown out.

You might feel disappointed because you have to wear a retainer just when you thought your orthodontic treatment was finished. By committing a little bit of time to keep your teeth straight and functional, you can prevent the need for retreatment in the future and enjoy a beautiful smile for years to come.

For most patients, dental benefits renew each January, while others renew on an enrollment date or fiscal year. Studies have shown under 3% of PPO dental plan members use all of their allotted benefits each year. This could mean thousands of wasted hard-earned dollars per family.

Most traditional dental benefit plans have yearly maximums and specified coverage limits on procedures (100% coverage on cleanings, 80% on restorative treatment, etc.). Some plans have a deductible on larger treatments too.

Some employers offer a flexible spending account, or FSA, instead of or in addition to dental coverage to help offset deductibles and coverage limits. Each year, the employee specifies an amount of money to be put in the FSA account, which is usually accessible through a debit card. For example, if your dental insurance covers a root canal at 80%, the FSA account could be used to pay for the remaining 20% that would otherwise be an out of pocket expense.

But don’t wait until mid-December to schedule an appointment, because many dentists will be booked solid with patients trying to use up their plan benefits. If you haven’t been in recently, make an appointment or call the office and see if there’s any outstanding treatment in your record that could be done. Are you overdue for a cleaning? Do you have a filling that needs to be replaced? Now is a great time to start getting those appointments on the books.

Whether you have traditional dental coverage or an FSA account, here are some tips to maximize your dental benefits and reasons why you should use them before the new year.

Unused Benefits- Each year your yearly maximum renews and you forfeit any unspent money. Many plans range from $1,000 to $1,500 per year or more. If you have been delaying treatment or only going for cleanings, that’s money flying right out the window.

You’re Throwing Money Away- If you are paying for dental coverage but only going in for cleanings, you’re not recouping much of the money you spend on your annual premium. It makes much more sense to use every last dollar of available dental coverage to offset the cost of the benefits. For example, if your $400 annual premium buys $1,000 worth of coverage and you're not using it, you’re effectively throwing away $600 of “free” money.

Plan Deductibles Reset- Some dental plans have a deductible on more extensive procedures like root canals or crowns. When the plan restarts, so does the deductible. If you’ve already paid the deductible and need another procedure, it might be worth getting it done in the same year and saving a little money.

You Might Be Able to Overlap Needed Treatment- Most dentists don’t recommend postponing treatment, especially if it’s a two-step procedure like a root canal followed by a crown. If you have a tooth that needs a lot of work you may be able to overlap the treatment between this year and next. This reduces your out of pocket cost and repairs your tooth in a timely fashion before there is any further damage.

Schedule Treatment Before Any Fee Increases- Occasionally your dentist raises his or her fees to offset the high overhead of running a dental practice. Dental offices have some of the highest overhead expenses in any industry and most of them happen behind the scenes. Liability insurance, the cost of state-of-the-art equipment to enhance the patient experience, training for that equipment, and single-use items like gloves and sterilization pouches continue to increase. Getting scheduled for any outstanding treatment now could save you a little money down the road.

Maybe you’ve been considering redoing an old crown that’s a shade too dark or want to replace those amalgam (silver) fillings with tooth-colored composite. Or perhaps you’ve been delaying a large treatment plan. Whatever the reason, you work hard for your money. Even if your dental coverage is paid by your employer, it’s still considered part of your salary. You wouldn’t throw part of your paycheck away, so why waste money by leaving needed treatment undone until it becomes a larger (and more expensive) problem? Use your benefits before the end of the year and make your mouth and pocketbook smile!

Little has changed design-wise in the 2,000-plus years since toothbrushes have been around. Even the Ancient Babylonians knew the importance and attractiveness of clean teeth. From their thin, frayed-end twigs to the hog-hair bristled bamboo brushes used by the Chinese in the 15th century, they all have the same general shape and function. Since the 1960s, when the first electric toothbrushes became available in the U.S., technology has continued to advance, and now they are a staple on grocery store shelves and in dentist’s offices.

Different Brands, Similar Functions

Each electric toothbrush brand has its unique twist, but they all have standard features that make brushing easier.

Some oscillate or rotate while others use ultrasonic technology. Some have simple on/off switches that run for two minutes and beep at 30-second intervals alerting you to change to a different side of your mouth. Others have multiple settings like an extended brush timer button, massage settings to stimulate gum tissue, and sensitive teeth settings which reduce the motor speed and force.

However, it’s just as easy to brush too hard with an electric toothbrush, so a gentle hand is always best. Brushing too hard can cause tooth abrasion and gum problems. Some brushes feature special sensors which stop the brush from rotating or vibrating if too much pressure if sensed so you can train yourself to use a gentler hand. With an electric brush, gently holding it to and moving it along the teeth is all the pressure you need.

A Little Independence Can Make All The Difference

Electric toothbrushes are an excellent idea for everyone, but for people with arthritis, cognitive impairments or those who have suffered a stroke, an electric toothbrush can be a little breath of independence that gives a boost of self-confidence. Just a little control over your health can mean the world in a patient’s recovery process or overall longevity. For a patient with arthritis or patients with muscle-control issues, this allows you to hold the brush gently and let it do all the work. Most electric brushes have a timer, too, so you don’t have to worry about not brushing for the right amount of time.

Giving Small Hands Some Help

Electric toothbrushes are also great for children. Studies have shown that children don’t have the dexterity to brush their teeth unaided until they can tie their shoes. While a parent should still help small children with brushing and flossing, an electric toothbrush gives an older child the ability to brush their teeth while giving the parent the comfort knowing the brush is doing the bulk of the work. The timer makes sure they are brushing for the full two minutes.

Not an Easy Way Out

An electric toothbrush can help compensate for coordination problems due to age and medical issues, but using one is not an excuse to skip regular cleanings and exams. You should consider asking for help if brushing and holding a toothbrush is difficult. Combined with regular cleanings and exams, an electric toothbrush is merely one cog in the wheel of your oral health care regimen.

Parents don’t forget “first” moments in their children’s lives: A first word, the first day of school, that first drive alone. Someone once said, “Days go slow, years go fast.” A parent looking at life in the rearview mirror probably uttered those words.

Dental practices share many milestones with their patients. Whether introducing a child to their first visit or creating a brilliant new smile for mom, dental visits offer special moments for all ages. Family-friendly care sets a foundation for lifetime dental health free of anxiety and avoidance. Nothing delights a dental team like helping youngsters grow into adults that value their teeth!

As practices interact with young patients, they observe changes in growth and development that vary significantly from child to child. Recall intervals between 6-12 months allow a dental team to monitor jaw changes, keep an eye out for cavity problems, and guide good homecare habits. Some kids develop cavities soon after the first teeth appear, but early preventive and educational strategies can stop this disease in its tracks. Other youngsters suck a finger a little too long and negatively influence the early growth of their upper jaw. Kids are unique in every way!

Bracing For A Perfect Smile

Most parents anticipate another first with their kids: Braces. Traditionally, brackets and wires form a rite of passage in the teen years. In many cases, the early to mid-teens often present an ideal window for teeth straightening. With the right timing, their senior yearbook photo sports an All-American smile that’s captured forever.

One size rarely fits all, and the same is true with orthodontics. It’s important to remember that orthodontics combines straight teeth with proportional upper and lower jaws. The two jawbones grow at different rates, and boys and girls may follow different timing patterns. As a result, orthodontic care may provide the most significant benefit at a younger age than parents anticipate. The opportunity to guide bone growth fades quickly, especially in early developers. In other cases, a child may just need a short course of straightening at an older age to enjoy an optimal smile.

Parents know how different their kids can be from one another. The variations make it difficult to generalize the course of dental development, too. Siblings sometimes surprise each other with their first loose tooth at different ages or with unique genetic characteristics. If you’ve ever noticed a trait, such as a space between the front teeth that a grandparent had, DNA is expressing itself. One child may show up with it, but their brothers and sisters may not.

Putting It Together

Straight teeth look terrific and are easier to keep clean, but that doesn’t mean orthodontics is necessary for every child. It’s also not surprising to find there may be more than one way to reach the desired goal. In addition, parents mull over real concerns about time, cost, and the effect of braces on other activities. But if treatment appears likely, determining an age that’s unique to each child helps create a perfect smile, normal function, and a comfortable jaw. In some cases, coordinating care with trusted specialists forms another part of a good outcome.

Regular visits during childhood make it much easier to identify the best orthodontic steps at the right time. Whether it’s a short-term appliance, regular braces, or a clear aligner system, modern dentistry offers many ways to guide a growing smile to perfection!

Your smile sends messages to everyone you meet. Studies show that your teeth are the main physical characteristic that people notice first, and a friendly smile sets the tone for every relationship in your personal and business life. If you’re unhappy with the appearance of your teeth, dental veneers may offer a significant change you automatically share with everyone around you.

What are veneers?

Veneers provide the ultimate lift to a smile and offer a quick solution to many challenges that frustrate people of all ages. After we collaborate to plan your smile, ultra-thin pieces of porcelain are crafted by experienced technicians. Within a few days, your new smile is ready to share with the world… 24/7.

Today’s porcelain mimics a perfect layer of enamel, enhancing the color, shape, length, and texture of your teeth. Cracks and chips disappear, and years of wear and discoloration melt away. The ability to enjoy a stunning smile with durable, natural material has never been easier.

Dental Veneers are:

• Ultra-thin: Blend into your smile
• Strong: Replicate natural enamel
• Beautiful: Ideal color and shape
• Conservative: Preserve the healthy parts of your teeth
• Life-changing: The smile you deserve brought to life

Are Veneers Right For Me?

Everyone benefits from a healthy, radiant smile. Studies show that people who smile are considered more trustworthy, friendly, and kind. If you’re pleased with your smile, you feel more confident and content.

If you look in the mirror and see any of the following problems, dental veneers may be right for you:

• Chipped, broken bite edges
• Yellowing, staining, or discolored spots
• Crooked, rotated, or overlapping teeth
• Narrow or short teeth
• A smile you just find embarrassing

Dental veneers offer one of the most effective ways to transform a list of problems into a brilliant asset you’ll enjoy every day for the rest of your life. Sometimes referred to as “instant orthodontics,” veneers leave our patients amazed at how quickly they’ve improved their lives.

If veneers aren’t the best way to create your new smile, we can explore other innovative solutions to deliver the result you want with cosmetic dentistry. Our patients have found ways to uncover the smile of their dreams they never knew were possible.

How Can Veneers Help Me?

Your smile matters. In fact, it’s one of the most significant characteristics you possess. Studies consistently show positive effects on the following:

Self-esteem: When you’re happy with the appearance of your teeth, you smile more. When you smile more, your brain produces serotonin, endorphins, and dopamine. These neurotransmitters are responsible for reduced stress and feelings of happiness.

Success: No matter how you measure it, many studies have connected a nice smile with richer rewards. Smiling salespeople produce more sales and enjoy more career success, and those who smile also appreciate better relationships and are considered more trustworthy.

Influence: Your smile directly influences the feelings of others, adding to their wellness. People shown pictures of smiles and told to frown while looking at them struggle to suppress their own smile! You can change the mood of a room with a grin.

Your Smile Solution

Dental veneers provide benefits far beyond your teeth. By transforming the appearance of your smile with today’s natural porcelains, we can help you elevate the quality of your life inside and out. Veneers have given many people an advantage in their careers and social lives while boosting their sense of wellbeing.

Don’t you deserve to explore what cosmetic dentistry can do for you? Feel free to come in, bring your questions, and we’ll help you find your smile solution!

Have you ever stood beside a rushing river and watched the current carry wood and leaves quickly past? Your blood pulses through your body at a similar pace. Every twenty seconds, blood completes a round trip from head to toe. This closed system averages 100,000 miles of veins, arteries, and capillaries and delivers many vital components to sustain life.

Sometimes the system breaks open and dangerous invaders enter the bloodstream. While we often think of a cut or scrape on the skin as the entry point, the lining of the mouth offers an ideal backdoor. Over thirty square inches of tissue cover the mouth and provide a home to billions of bacteria. A unique collar of gum tissue surrounds each of the teeth, and a few potent strains of bacteria can take up residence in this hidden enclave. These microorganisms produce toxins, and the immune system reacts to them with a rush of inflammation. The delicate vessels of the gums deteriorate from the reaction, and bleeding begins.

It doesn’t take long for potent bacteria to enter the river of life. Within seconds, they’re reaching the fine vessels of the brain and slipping through the coronary arteries. They’re meandering into joints, organs, and fetuses of expectant mothers. In 2010, scientists at Case Western Reserve University were asked to investigate a stillborn case in a 35-year old mother who suffered from gum disease. Plaque samples from the woman’s teeth tested positive for the precise strain of oral bacteria discovered in the stomach and lungs of the fetus.

“Once the bacteria are in the blood, they can go almost anywhere,” Yiping Han, a Case Western Reserve professor of periodontics and pathology said. “The placenta is an immuno-suppressed organ, compared to other organs like the liver and the spleen. And that makes it easy for the bacteria to colonize the placenta.”

While this single case shouldn’t create anxiety for expectant mothers, it highlights the importance of dental health. Oral bacteria may aggravate the body in different ways, and damage may come in various forms. From a 30,000 foot view, chronic inflammation anywhere in the body can exacerbate other conditions. Diabetes is known to worsen gum disease, but the opposite is also true: Gum disease negatively influences control of blood sugar. On a microscopic level, oral bacteria have been identified in the lining of damaged coronary arteries.

Cancer, Too?

As the search for a cancer cure intensifies, a preventive focus still promises the best defense against the disease. While many people don’t correlate unhealthy gums with cancer, recent research does draw a link. In a study of 48,000 men, those with a history of gum disease carried a 36 percent increased risk of lung cancer, a 49 percent increased risk of kidney cancer, and a 54 percent higher risk of pancreatic cancer. We still don’t know all the reasons why, but saving your teeth could mean saving your life.

If bleeding gums could be patched together, they’d be equivalent to a 2x2 inch open wound on the skin. Saturated with bacteria, a gash of this size anywhere on the body needs attention. When gum disease remains uncontrolled in the mouth, the door stays open indefinitely as a large wound. As a result, a steady supply of bacteria ends up in areas of the body they don’t belong.

Here’s To Your Health

Every effort you make to keep your mouth healthy helps ensure you’ll keep your teeth for the rest of your life. The evidence continues to build that a preventive focus may add years to your life, too. Dental care that combines your efforts with our periodic oversight will keep you smiling and active for years to come!

With winter upon us, the common cold shows us why it’s aptly named. Rhinoviruses, responsible for many episodes of congestion, coughs, and sore throats, transmit through the population during every season. But research suggests that this virus replicates better at a temperature a few degrees below the body’s core temperature. Plus, people tend to share closer spaces inside during colder weather. Cozy areas make virus transmission easier.

Many people are surprised to learn that tooth decay is the next most common disease afflicting the population. The bacteria that cause cavities thrive in the mouth, but babies aren't born with them. They're an infection that’s often passed from mothers or caregivers once teeth start to appear. Since 92% of adults report at least one cavity, dental fillings are familiar to just about everyone.

What If...

Exciting new research suggests that the way we repair teeth damaged from cavities could change in the years ahead. Consider this:

• A British team discovered that aspirin enhances the function of stem cells found inside teeth. They found that low-dose aspirin significantly increased the expression of genes that help form dentin, the primary tooth structure usually damaged by decay. This influence helps the tooth create new structure to repair damaged portions.
• Another research team found that a particular chemical could cause cells to heal small holes in mice teeth. Researchers placed a biodegradable sponge soaked in the drug inside the cavity. This step led to complete, natural repair of the damaged area!
• Another study demonstrated that a small electrical current could be used to draw new minerals into teeth, producing a stronger outer layer that’s more resistant to bacterial acid.

A vaccine to prevent cavities has been explored for over 40 years. In 1972, a British team reported they were testing one on mice, but fundamental challenges remain today. In the meantime, a host of new materials that mimic natural tooth structure allow us to restore damaged teeth and create healthy smiles. Scientists continue to produce advanced porcelains and resins that can be securely bonded into place. Sometimes the most trained eye can’t discern where the tooth ends, and the filling begins!

Solutions For Every Scenario

When enough damage leads to tooth loss, dental implants offer the ultimate solution for optimal function and confident smiling. Precise 3D imaging and advanced implant components set the foundation for predictable results. Whether replacing single teeth or securing loose dentures, implants can be life-changing!

In our evolving world, dental research continues to enhance the lives of our patients. We follow and evaluate advancements in dentistry, then choose those that serve you best. We’re here to be a resource for you and your family, so feel free to contact your team at Dental World Kapolei with any questions we can help you explore!

Every time you step into a mini-mart, you’re faced with a host of options to squelch your thirst. A rainbow of colors in plastic bottles compete for your attention, and creative marketing often transforms sugared water into a fountain of youth. When it comes to your teeth, does it matter what you choose? How does a bottle of cola or a sports drink affect your teeth and general health?

Everybody knows most of these drinks include a lot of sugar, but it’s easy to overlook how much they carry. A little quick math can help you visualize the carbohydrate burst that occurs with the first sip. The nutritional label reports the number of grams of sugar in a serving, and there are 4 grams of sugar in a teaspoon. If a bottle shows 20 grams in a single serving, picture it as 5 teaspoons.

While a 12-ounce soda used to be the norm, 20-ounce bottles are now considered standard. But many of the labels show the grams of sugar for an 8-ounce serving, and they frequently report 2.5 servings in a bottle! Calculating the numbers on a typical label indicates you’ll consume over 19 teaspoons of sugar in this soft drink. Take a look at this one:

The bacteria that cause cavities use sugar for energy and produce acidic waste that erodes tooth enamel. Syrupy drinks provide an ideal power source to keep this population thriving while instigating an insulin spike in the bloodstream. The colossal sugar load also drives the liver to convert sugar into fat. Chronically elevated insulin creates insulin resistance, a condition that contributes to a range of diseases. From cavities to cancer, sugared drinks help fuel many of the health problems afflicting people today.

An Acid Problem

Sugar forms a vital part of the formula that produces tooth decay, but it’s the acid that ultimately causes enamel to dissolve. The normal pH of your mouth rests around 7, but tooth structure begins to erode when the acidity drops to 5.5. Soda can send the pH of the mouth into a nosedive, making the mouth 1000 times more acidic than needed to start damaging teeth. A review of many ingredient labels shows citric, phosphoric, and carbonic acids in the mix. It may take 15 minutes for the mouth’s pH to return to normal after the last sip, and that means a steady diet of sugary drinks can alter the mouth for hours each day.

Diet sodas often hover around a pH of 3.2, far into the range that damages teeth. It’s a good thing that sugar is missing, but a steady exposure to high acidity can still lead to a weakening of tooth enamel. Artificial sweeteners may have long-term general health effects that we’re yet to understand fully.

Limit The Damage

The best strategy for the sake of your teeth and overall health is to enjoy fresh water on a regular basis. If you’re going to drink soda, consider the following tips:

• Drink soda or sports drinks through a straw to minimize your teeth’s exposure.
• Rinse with water right after drinking one of these beverages.
• Avoid brushing your teeth for 30 minutes after drinking the beverage. This practice allows your mouth to return to normal pH before the teeth undergo the light abrasion of brushing.
• Avoid drinks that list acids on the ingredient label. 

If you consume a sports drink during strenuous exercise or enjoy an occasional soda with a meal, there’s not a lot of reason to worry. Commit to keep sugar exposure to a minimum and drink more fresh water: Your teeth and your body will thank you!

Enjoying a cold drink usually involves a little ice. Sometimes larger pieces are hard to resist as teeth crunch them into smaller fragments. The sound of ice crystals shattering reverberates across a room unlike any other chewing activity; up to 250 pounds of force may be needed to break ice cubes with your teeth! Some people who chew ice may suffer from an iron deficiency and inflammation of the tongue. But ice-chewing often becomes a habit that simply needs to be broken.

This unique chewing habit carries a higher risk of damage to your teeth than chewing many other types of hard foods. Your teeth are made of mineralized layers that protect the soft inner nerve and blood supply found at the center of each one. Enamel, the hardest substance in your body, provides a unique armor as the outer layer. Intricate crystal rods comprise this remarkable covering, although it’s relatively brittle without the support of the layer underneath it.  

If you compress firmly on an ice cube, an extreme temperature change occurs in the crystallized enamel. As the temperature suddenly drops, the crystal expands slightly. The temporary tension releases as the temperature rises again, a process amplified by the jaw force crushing the ice. Microfractures often form in teeth after thousands of normal chewing cycles. Ice accelerates the process.

Heed The Warning

Sometimes a cracked tooth gives you warning signs. But in other cases, the first clue is when a large chunk of tooth breaks off. Many of these teeth have large silver fillings in them and may appear dark from the amalgam staining that occurs over time. A broken tooth may be sensitive to cold and hot or have sharp edges that annoy the tongue, although they rarely ache. Don’t be fooled: a broken tooth needs attention to prevent further problems from developing down the road.

In other cases, a tooth sends you warning signals that it’s cracked and in danger of getting worse. If your tooth twinges with a cold drink but feels fine to chew on, it’s probably not damaged. If you’ve tried a sensitivity toothpaste for a couple of weeks without any change, you still might want to find out the cause. But if you bite down on certain foods and experience a sharp, sudden pain in the same area, you’d better schedule to see us. Usually, this means the crack is expanding slightly under pressure and will likely worsen over time.

What Do I Do?

A cracked tooth can usually be saved even when a piece breaks off. But if you’re experiencing bite pain and wait too long, the tooth may split and need to be removed. Teeth that ache for an extended period of time after chewing or hurt out-of-the-blue may have deeper cracks. Many of them can still be salvaged. 

Your teeth handle a lot of use and abuse. But chewing ice leads to extra stress and possible problems that you just don’t need. Crunching on ice or hard candies may also damage porcelain restorations or other types of fillings. Many of these materials mimic tooth structure and can break if they’re misused. 

If you’re experiencing any of the alarm bells mentioned above, we’ll help you sort out the reasons and the most conservative options for care. A couple of simple tests by Dr. Chaekal helps confirm a crack and the best ways to limit the damage. So next time you’re tempted to break an ice cube in half with your teeth, let it melt...your teeth will thank you for it!