Bigger isn’t Always Better: How Huge Bites Damage Oral Health

Bigger isn’t Always Better: How Huge Bites Damage Oral Health

13th October 2015

There are many ways people are putting their oral health at risk without knowing it. Some examples of seemingly simple yet actually damaging habits include drinking excessive amounts of fizzy drinks or grinding teeth. Another seemingly harmless practice is taking huge bites of food.

What many people do not immediately realise is that this habit can put stress on the mouth, particularly on the jaws and teeth, which may put oral health at risk.

Huge Bites: The Jaw Breaker

It has been a common habit to take huge bites of food; with too many things to attend to and on-the-go attitude of most people today, conscious eating has become less of a priority. People have become oblivious to proper eating habits that eating big chunks of food has somewhat become the new norm.

Of course, that is on top of the fact that fast food restaurant advertisements are constantly urging people to try super-sized food that are almost impossible to fit into the mouth without having to open wide.

Not only is it embarrassing, but taking big bites of food can compromise oral health, as it forces the mouth to open too wide, damaging the joints of the jaw. Those that have temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ) are at even greater risk of jaw injury.

The temporomandibular joint is the hinge that connects the jaw to the bones in the skull, allowing free movement of the mouth when chewing. People who have TMJ may worsen their condition if they take huge bites of food, resulting in pain sensations in or around the ear when chewing, clicking sounds when opening the jaw, difficulty when eating, and swelling on the side of the face.

It’s advisable for TMJ patients to avoid taking huge bites to keep the problem from worsening.

A Lot on Your Plate

Not only should you pay attention to how you chew, though, but also to what you chew. Hard foods, such as popcorn, ice, and candies put more stress on teeth, which may result in dental problems. It may cause cracks and chips in the surface of the tooth.

In these cases, you may need dental crowns to hold a cracked tooth together. Or, if the problem is worse, tooth extraction may be necessary.

Avoid taking huge bites and pay attention to what you eat to avoid dental problems. Schedule an appointment with us today for more information about how you can maintain good oral health.