{"id":314,"date":"2026-02-28T08:26:59","date_gmt":"2026-02-28T08:26:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.donlandsfamilydentistry.ca\/blog\/?p=314"},"modified":"2026-02-28T08:27:01","modified_gmt":"2026-02-28T08:27:01","slug":"to-chew-or-not-to-chew-everyday-items-dentists-avoid-to-protect-their-smiles","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.donlandsfamilydentistry.ca\/blog\/2026\/02\/28\/to-chew-or-not-to-chew-everyday-items-dentists-avoid-to-protect-their-smiles\/","title":{"rendered":"To Chew or Not to Chew: Everyday Items Dentists Avoid to Protect Their Smiles"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

When it comes to protecting your teeth, brushing and flossing are only part of the story. Many dental emergencies<\/a> happen not because of cavities, but because of everyday habits that put unnecessary stress on teeth. From chewing ice to using your teeth as tools, small choices can lead to chips, cracks, and costly repairs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you want to keep your smile strong and avoid unexpected trips to the dentist, here are some common things dentists never put in their mouths\u2014and why you shouldn\u2019t either.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Ice: A Hidden Threat in Your Drink<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Chewing ice might seem harmless, especially when it\u2019s already in your glass. However, ice is extremely hard and can create tiny fractures in tooth enamel. Over time, these micro-cracks can lead to sensitivity, chips, or even broken teeth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you enjoy cold drinks, try letting the ice melt slightly or switching to chilled water to protect your enamel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hard Candy: Long-Lasting Sugar Exposure<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Hard candies may last longer than other sweets, but that\u2019s part of the problem. As they dissolve slowly, they bathe your teeth in sugar, feeding harmful bacteria that contribute to cavities. Biting down on hard candy can also crack or chip a tooth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Opt for sugar-free alternatives or enjoy sweets in moderation, followed by rinsing your mouth with water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Popcorn Kernels: Small but Mighty<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Unpopped popcorn kernels are a common culprit behind cracked teeth and damaged dental work. Biting down unexpectedly on a hard kernel can fracture enamel or loosen fillings and crowns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When enjoying popcorn, chew carefully and discard any hard pieces to avoid surprises.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Using Teeth as Tools<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Opening packages, tearing tags, or holding objects with your teeth may seem convenient, but this habit puts excessive pressure on your enamel. Teeth are designed for chewing food\u2014not for gripping plastic or metal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Keep scissors or proper tools nearby to avoid turning a simple task into a dental emergency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sticky and Chewy Foods<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Sticky treats like caramels, taffy, and gummy candies cling to tooth surfaces and are difficult to remove with saliva alone. They can pull at fillings or crowns and increase the risk of decay by trapping sugar against the enamel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you indulge, brush and floss afterward to remove lingering residue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Grinding on Non-Food Items<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Chewing on pens, fingernails, or bottle caps may happen without thinking, especially during moments of stress or concentration. These habits can wear down enamel, strain jaw muscles, and even lead to cracked teeth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Replacing the habit with sugar-free gum or a stress-relief technique can help protect your smile.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why These Habits Matter<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Your teeth are strong, but they aren\u2019t indestructible. Avoiding hard, sticky, and non-food items can significantly reduce your risk of chips, fractures, and tooth decay. Small daily choices\u2014like skipping ice chewing or using scissors instead of your teeth\u2014can make a lasting difference in your oral health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Protecting your smile starts with small, mindful habits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

About the Practice<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Dr. Nabeel Ahmed of Donlands Family Dentistry provides comprehensive dental care focused on prevention, patient education, and long-term oral health. Our practice offers services ranging from routine cleanings to emergency dentistry, helping patients address urgent dental concerns quickly and comfortably. We are committed to creating a welcoming environment where patients feel informed, supported, and confident in their care.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Call us at +1 416-551-5224<\/a> or schedule your appointment online<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

When it comes to protecting your teeth, brushing and flossing are only part of the story. Many dental emergencies happen not because of cavities, but because of everyday habits that put unnecessary stress on teeth. From chewing ice to using your teeth as tools, small choices can lead to chips, cracks, and costly repairs. If […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\nTo Chew or Not to Chew: Everyday Items Dentists Avoid to Protect Their Smiles<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Discover everyday items dentists avoid to protect their teeth and prevent dental emergencies. Learn simple habits to keep your smile safe and healthy.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.donlandsfamilydentistry.ca\/blog\/2026\/02\/28\/to-chew-or-not-to-chew-everyday-items-dentists-avoid-to-protect-their-smiles\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"To Chew or Not to Chew: Everyday Items Dentists Avoid to Protect Their Smiles\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Discover everyday items dentists avoid to protect their teeth and prevent dental emergencies. Learn simple habits to keep your smile safe and healthy.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.donlandsfamilydentistry.ca\/blog\/2026\/02\/28\/to-chew-or-not-to-chew-everyday-items-dentists-avoid-to-protect-their-smiles\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Donlands Family Dentistry Blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2026-02-28T08:26:59+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-02-28T08:27:01+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.donlandsfamilydentistry.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/image-1.png\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"donlandsfamily\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"donlandsfamily\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"3 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.donlandsfamilydentistry.ca\/blog\/2026\/02\/28\/to-chew-or-not-to-chew-everyday-items-dentists-avoid-to-protect-their-smiles\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.donlandsfamilydentistry.ca\/blog\/2026\/02\/28\/to-chew-or-not-to-chew-everyday-items-dentists-avoid-to-protect-their-smiles\/\",\"name\":\"To Chew or Not to Chew: Everyday Items Dentists Avoid to Protect Their Smiles\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.donlandsfamilydentistry.ca\/blog\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.donlandsfamilydentistry.ca\/blog\/2026\/02\/28\/to-chew-or-not-to-chew-everyday-items-dentists-avoid-to-protect-their-smiles\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.donlandsfamilydentistry.ca\/blog\/2026\/02\/28\/to-chew-or-not-to-chew-everyday-items-dentists-avoid-to-protect-their-smiles\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.donlandsfamilydentistry.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/image-1.png\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-02-28T08:26:59+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-02-28T08:27:01+00:00\",\"author\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.donlandsfamilydentistry.ca\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/4357c44804f0b84a62cd3b5b2750dbe1\"},\"description\":\"Discover everyday items dentists avoid to protect their teeth and prevent dental emergencies. Learn simple habits to keep your smile safe and healthy.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.donlandsfamilydentistry.ca\/blog\/2026\/02\/28\/to-chew-or-not-to-chew-everyday-items-dentists-avoid-to-protect-their-smiles\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/www.donlandsfamilydentistry.ca\/blog\/2026\/02\/28\/to-chew-or-not-to-chew-everyday-items-dentists-avoid-to-protect-their-smiles\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.donlandsfamilydentistry.ca\/blog\/2026\/02\/28\/to-chew-or-not-to-chew-everyday-items-dentists-avoid-to-protect-their-smiles\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.donlandsfamilydentistry.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/image-1.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.donlandsfamilydentistry.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/image-1.png\",\"width\":889,\"height\":627},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.donlandsfamilydentistry.ca\/blog\/2026\/02\/28\/to-chew-or-not-to-chew-everyday-items-dentists-avoid-to-protect-their-smiles\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/www.donlandsfamilydentistry.ca\/blog\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"To Chew or Not to Chew: Everyday Items Dentists Avoid to Protect Their Smiles\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.donlandsfamilydentistry.ca\/blog\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.donlandsfamilydentistry.ca\/blog\/\",\"name\":\"Donlands Family Dentistry Blog\",\"description\":\"\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/www.donlandsfamilydentistry.ca\/blog\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":\"required name=search_term_string\"}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.donlandsfamilydentistry.ca\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/4357c44804f0b84a62cd3b5b2750dbe1\",\"name\":\"donlandsfamily\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.donlandsfamilydentistry.ca\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/36632de41097a3ab24eca27bb6a91016?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/36632de41097a3ab24eca27bb6a91016?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"donlandsfamily\"},\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.donlandsfamilydentistry.ca\/blog\/author\/donlandsfamily\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"To Chew or Not to Chew: Everyday Items Dentists Avoid to Protect Their Smiles","description":"Discover everyday items dentists avoid to protect their teeth and prevent dental emergencies. Learn simple habits to keep your smile safe and healthy.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/www.donlandsfamilydentistry.ca\/blog\/2026\/02\/28\/to-chew-or-not-to-chew-everyday-items-dentists-avoid-to-protect-their-smiles\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"To Chew or Not to Chew: Everyday Items Dentists Avoid to Protect Their Smiles","og_description":"Discover everyday items dentists avoid to protect their teeth and prevent dental emergencies. Learn simple habits to keep your smile safe and healthy.","og_url":"https:\/\/www.donlandsfamilydentistry.ca\/blog\/2026\/02\/28\/to-chew-or-not-to-chew-everyday-items-dentists-avoid-to-protect-their-smiles\/","og_site_name":"Donlands Family Dentistry Blog","article_published_time":"2026-02-28T08:26:59+00:00","article_modified_time":"2026-02-28T08:27:01+00:00","og_image":[{"url":"https:\/\/www.donlandsfamilydentistry.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/image-1.png"}],"author":"donlandsfamily","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"donlandsfamily","Est. reading time":"3 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.donlandsfamilydentistry.ca\/blog\/2026\/02\/28\/to-chew-or-not-to-chew-everyday-items-dentists-avoid-to-protect-their-smiles\/","url":"https:\/\/www.donlandsfamilydentistry.ca\/blog\/2026\/02\/28\/to-chew-or-not-to-chew-everyday-items-dentists-avoid-to-protect-their-smiles\/","name":"To Chew or Not to Chew: Everyday Items Dentists Avoid to Protect Their Smiles","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.donlandsfamilydentistry.ca\/blog\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.donlandsfamilydentistry.ca\/blog\/2026\/02\/28\/to-chew-or-not-to-chew-everyday-items-dentists-avoid-to-protect-their-smiles\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.donlandsfamilydentistry.ca\/blog\/2026\/02\/28\/to-chew-or-not-to-chew-everyday-items-dentists-avoid-to-protect-their-smiles\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.donlandsfamilydentistry.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/image-1.png","datePublished":"2026-02-28T08:26:59+00:00","dateModified":"2026-02-28T08:27:01+00:00","author":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.donlandsfamilydentistry.ca\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/4357c44804f0b84a62cd3b5b2750dbe1"},"description":"Discover everyday items dentists avoid to protect their teeth and prevent dental emergencies. Learn simple habits to keep your smile safe and healthy.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.donlandsfamilydentistry.ca\/blog\/2026\/02\/28\/to-chew-or-not-to-chew-everyday-items-dentists-avoid-to-protect-their-smiles\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/www.donlandsfamilydentistry.ca\/blog\/2026\/02\/28\/to-chew-or-not-to-chew-everyday-items-dentists-avoid-to-protect-their-smiles\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.donlandsfamilydentistry.ca\/blog\/2026\/02\/28\/to-chew-or-not-to-chew-everyday-items-dentists-avoid-to-protect-their-smiles\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/www.donlandsfamilydentistry.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/image-1.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.donlandsfamilydentistry.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/image-1.png","width":889,"height":627},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/www.donlandsfamilydentistry.ca\/blog\/2026\/02\/28\/to-chew-or-not-to-chew-everyday-items-dentists-avoid-to-protect-their-smiles\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/www.donlandsfamilydentistry.ca\/blog\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"To Chew or Not to Chew: Everyday Items Dentists Avoid to Protect Their Smiles"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/www.donlandsfamilydentistry.ca\/blog\/#website","url":"https:\/\/www.donlandsfamilydentistry.ca\/blog\/","name":"Donlands Family Dentistry Blog","description":"","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/www.donlandsfamilydentistry.ca\/blog\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":"required name=search_term_string"}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.donlandsfamilydentistry.ca\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/4357c44804f0b84a62cd3b5b2750dbe1","name":"donlandsfamily","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.donlandsfamilydentistry.ca\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/36632de41097a3ab24eca27bb6a91016?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/36632de41097a3ab24eca27bb6a91016?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"donlandsfamily"},"url":"https:\/\/www.donlandsfamilydentistry.ca\/blog\/author\/donlandsfamily\/"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.donlandsfamilydentistry.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/314"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.donlandsfamilydentistry.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.donlandsfamilydentistry.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.donlandsfamilydentistry.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.donlandsfamilydentistry.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=314"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.donlandsfamilydentistry.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/314\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":317,"href":"https:\/\/www.donlandsfamilydentistry.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/314\/revisions\/317"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.donlandsfamilydentistry.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=314"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.donlandsfamilydentistry.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=314"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.donlandsfamilydentistry.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=314"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}