Nuts are a low sugar snack, but biting very hard ones is also a common reason why teeth crack or chip.
- Nuts have little sugar and provide calcium and magnesium.
- Very hard nuts can crack or chip teeth.
- Choose plain nuts, remove the shell by hand and chew slowly.
- Use floss to remove stuck fragments.
Walnuts, almonds, cashews and peanuts are usually seen as healthy snacks. They contain little sugar and can replace sweets. Even so, it helps to know how to eat them without harming your teeth, especially if you snack on them every day.
How nuts benefit teeth and gums
Because nuts contain little sugar, they do not feed the bacteria that cause cavities the way cakes and sweets do. Many nuts provide calcium, magnesium and phosphorus, which help teeth stay strong. Chewing nuts also stimulates saliva, which neutralises acid and rinses away food. You can read more in our article on nutrition for strong teeth.
Risks you should know about
- Very hard items such as peach stones, crunchy roasted pumpkin seeds and hard roasted peanuts can crack or chip teeth.
- Honey coated, salted or sugar coated nuts leave sugar stuck on the teeth.
- Tiny fragments easily lodge between teeth and under the gums.
- Weak teeth, large fillings or crowns need extra care when biting hard nuts.
None of this is a reason to give up nuts. Choosing the right kind and eating them the right way lets you keep the benefits and avoid most of the problems.
How to eat nuts safely
Choose plain nuts without sugar or salt coating. Crack the shell by hand or with a tool rather than with your teeth. Chew slowly with the back teeth and do not bite hard when you feel resistance. After eating, rinse with water and use floss to remove the little fragments. Older adults and denture wearers can crush or finely grind nuts so they are easier to eat and do not loosen the denture.
If you accidentally bit a hard nut and feel a sharp pain or see a crack, it is worth getting checked early. You can walk in during working hours or call the hotline 028.3868.1097. Read more in our article on how to snack with less harm to your teeth.
Frequently asked questions
Do nuts cause cavities?
Plain nuts rarely do. Honey coated or sugar coated nuts can.
Which nuts are most likely to chip a tooth?
Very hard items such as peach stones, crunchy roasted seeds, hard roasted peanuts and hard candy.
How should denture wearers eat nuts?
Crush or grind them finely so they do not loosen the denture.