If you’ve had dental bonding done to restore chipped, fractured, or discolored front teeth, you’ll likely need to adapt your eating habits for a period of time after the procedure.
Dental bonding provides an excellent quick and affordable fix for minor to moderate damage to front teeth using a resin material. However, bonded restorations do require extra care when chewing and biting to avoid putting too much pressure on the bonded areas, especially immediately after placement before the material fully hardens. Even once fully cured, dental bonding on front teeth remains more susceptible to chipping, cracking or debonding if used forcefully for tearing and biting hard foods.
While bonding expands the versatility of your front teeth compared to fully lost structure, you’ll need to relearn how to use your front teeth for eating. This involves being very cautious and controlled when biting into foods, avoiding very hard or crunchy items that put excessive stress on bonding, and cutting foods into smaller pieces prior to chewing.
With some mindfulness and simple dietary adjustments, you can comfortably eat all your favorite foods in moderation. Understanding the proper techniques and being careful during the initial bonding adjustment period ensures your restorations blend naturally, last a long time, and expand dental function.
Tips for eating with bonded front teeth
1. Go Easy When Biting Into Foods
One of the biggest adjustments with front tooth bonding is training yourself not to aggressively bite into foods. Bonded restorations can chip or break if you sink your front teeth forcefully into very hard or crunchy foods.
Here are some tips to avoid damaging your newly restored teeth when biting into foods:
- Avoid biting directly into foods like apples, carrots, nuts, seeds, dried fruit, bagels, ice cubes, or hard candies. Either cut these foods into smaller pieces first or chew them cautiously in the back of your mouth.
- Use your lips, tongue and molars to break up and soften hard foods before grinding or chewing with your front bonded teeth.
- Be extra careful with potentially cracking foods like unpopped popcorn kernels, beef jerky, and hard taco shells.
2. Choosing Soft, Easy-to-Chew Foods
While you don’t have to only eat mushy foods with bonded front teeth, softer choices put less pressure on your dental work.
Here are nourishing yet gentle options:
- Cooked vegetables like steamed broccoli, spinach, squash, peas, potatoes.
- Fruits like bananas, peaches, cantaloupe, strawberries, watermelon
- Scrambled eggs, oatmeal, yogurt, cottage cheese.
- Nuts ground into nut butter, soft bread, fish, beans.
- Protein shakes, smoothies, soups, stews, casseroles.
- Cooked pasta, rice dishes and risottos.
3. Cut Foods into Smaller Pieces
Rather than sinking your front teeth directly into something hard, cut foods into manageable bite-sized pieces. Slice larger portions of meat, chicken, veggies fruits and breads to minimize stress on bonded teeth.
4. Avoid Hard, Crunchy and Sticky Foods
Steer clear of ice, hard candies, and other solid objects that can exert excessive pressure on your bonded teeth. Sticky candies and foods, on the other hand, can pull at the bonding material.
Be vigilant in minimizing foods that could put bonded teeth at risk like:
- Granola, nuts, hard chips that could crack teeth.
- Sticky candy that could pull off bondings.
- Hard crunchy vegetables and fruits not first softened.
- Chewy, crusty bread that requires tearing.
- Tough, chewy meats requiring forceful chewing.
Opt for healthier snack alternatives that won’t cling to your teeth or require a lot of biting force.
Additional Tips for Safeguarding Bonded Teeth
Here are some additional tips for safeguarding bonded teeth:
Mindful Chewing
Be conscious of how you chew. Distribute the pressure evenly across your mouth instead of relying heavily on your front teeth.
Avoid Using Teeth as Tools
Refrain from using your teeth to open packages or bottles. These actions can stress the bonded area and lead to damage.
Proper Oral Hygiene
Maintain excellent oral hygiene practices. Regular brushing, flossing, and dental check-ups are crucial to prevent decay around the bonded area.
Wear a Mouthguard
If you grind your teeth at night or participate in sports, wearing a custom mouthguard can shield your bonded teeth from potential damage.
Limit Staining Substances
Reduce your intake of coffee, tea, red wine, and other substances that can stain your bonded teeth, as the bonding material can absorb color.
Regular Dental Check-ups
Schedule routine dental appointments. Your dentist can monitor the condition of your bonded teeth and address any concerns promptly.
Healthy Diet
Consume a balanced diet rich in calcium and vitamins. A nutritious diet supports overall dental health, making your bonded teeth more resilient.
Stay Hydrated
Drink plenty of water throughout the day. Adequate hydration promotes saliva production, which helps cleanse your mouth and protect your teeth.
By incorporating these practices into your daily routine, you’ll be actively preserving the longevity and functionality of your bonded teeth.
Final Note
Making small adjustments to your diet protects bonded front teeth for the long run. Allow time for the bonding material to fully cure before putting them under pressure. Then practice cutting up hard foods and chewing cautiously without clamping directly down. With some adaptations, eating can still be enjoyable as your teeth adjust to dental bonding.
