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Dentist reveals 5 foods most likely to crack children’s teeth, and you won’t believe what’s number one

Dentist reveals 5 foods most likely to crack children’s teeth, and you won’t believe what’s number one

A dentist reveals the everyday foods that could chip or crack teeth, plus what parents should do if it happens.

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Ruairidh Pritchard

Published: August 24, 2026 at 10:49 AM

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From popcorn on family movie night to the ice left rattling around in a drink, some surprisingly ordinary foods can pose a risk to teeth if children bite down on something harder than expected.

Dentist Dr Deepa Chopra, from Whites Dental, has highlighted five foods that may cause a chipped or cracked tooth. And number one is something plenty of children might be tempted to crunch without giving it a second thought: an ice cube.

While healthy teeth are designed to cope with normal chewing, biting unexpectedly onto something extremely hard can cause damage. Teeth that are already weakened by decay, fillings or existing cracks can be particularly vulnerable.

Why can a tooth crack?

Dr Chopra explains that a cracked tooth isn't necessarily a sign of poor dental health.

“A cracked tooth does not always happen because someone has poor dental health. Sometimes, it is simply the result of biting down at the wrong angle on something much harder than expected.

“The damage can range from a small chip to a deeper fracture affecting the inside of the tooth. Even if there is no immediate pain, it is important to have the tooth checked before the crack becomes worse.”

The damage can range from a small chip to a deeper fracture affecting the inside of the tooth. Even if there is no immediate pain, it is important to have the tooth checked before the crack becomes worse.

Dr Deepa Chopra, dentist at Whites Dental

The 5 foods most likely to crack a tooth

5. Ice cubes

A little girl sits outside and drinks water through a reusable pink straw. The tall glass is filled with ice cubes, making the water cold and fresh on a hot day.

A little girl sits outside and drinks water through a reusable pink straw. The tall glass is filled with ice cubes, making the water cold and fresh on a hot day. Getty

That leftover ice might be satisfying to crunch, but Dr Chopra says it is one of the most common things people chew without considering the potential consequences.

“Ice is one of the most common things people chew without thinking about the potential damage. Both the ice and the tooth are extremely hard, so something has to give when enough pressure is applied.

“People with fillings, crowns or already weakened teeth may be particularly at risk.”

4. Unpopped popcorn kernels

Front view of boy watching tv at home and eating popcorns with his mother sitting in the sofa in the background.

Front view of boy watching tv at home and eating popcorns with his mother sitting in the sofa in the background. Getty

Popcorn itself might be soft, but those stubborn kernels hiding at the bottom of the bowl are a different story.

“The problem with popcorn kernels is that people are expecting something light and soft,” Dr Chopra explained. “When they suddenly bite down on a hard kernel with the same force, it can crack a tooth or damage an existing filling.”

For parents, it's a good reminder to watch out for unpopped kernels when serving popcorn to children.

3. Hard-boiled sweets

Round stick candy with fruit pictures at the centre.

Round stick candy with fruit pictures at the centre. Getty

Hard sweets are designed to dissolve gradually, but the temptation to crunch one can put considerable force through a tooth.

Dr Chopra said: “The temptation is often to bite down once the sweet becomes smaller. However, hard sweets can still be strong enough to chip enamel, fracture a weakened tooth or loosen dental work.”

2. Foods containing stones or pips

Woman rinsing cherries under running water, close-up

Getty

Olive stones, cherry stones and other fruit pits can catch children, and adults, by surprise.

“Hidden stones are particularly risky because you do not have time to adjust how hard you are biting,” Dr Chopra said. “Even foods advertised as pitted can occasionally contain fragments, so it is worth chewing carefully.”

1. Meat containing small bones

Fried Chicken with the crispiest, most flavorful crunchy outside with moist and juicy meat on the inside.

Fried Chicken with the crispiest, most flavorful crunchy outside with moist and juicy meat on the inside. Getty

Small pieces of bone can sometimes remain hidden in chicken, ribs, fish and other dishes, particularly when they're covered in sauce or mixed with other ingredients.

Dr Chopra said: “A tiny piece of bone can easily be missed, especially when it is covered by sauce or mixed into a dish. Biting down forcefully could chip a tooth, crack a filling or damage a crown.”

How can you tell if your child has cracked a tooth?

A crack isn't necessarily obvious straight away. Signs to look out for can include:

Pain when biting or chewing
Sensitivity to hot or cold food and drinks
A rough or sharp edge on a tooth
Discomfort that seems to come and go

What should you do if your child cracks a tooth?

If you suspect a cracked tooth, Dr Chopra recommends avoiding chewing on the affected side and gently rinsing the mouth.

“Stop chewing on the affected side and rinse your mouth gently. If a piece of the tooth has broken away, place it in milk or saliva and take it with you, as a dentist may sometimes be able to reattach it.

“Do not try to repair the tooth using household glue or continue testing it by biting down. Contact a dentist, even if the pain settles, because cracks cannot heal themselves and may worsen without treatment.”

Authors

Ruairidh PritchardDigital Growth Lead

Ruairidh is the Digital Lead on MadeForMums. He works with a team of fantastically talented content creators and subject-matter experts on MadeForMums.