Dentists Explain Why Opening Packages with Your Teeth Can Crack or Chip Teeth
- 7 days ago
- 3 min read
Teeth are designed for chewing food, not for gripping, tearing or opening objects. Yet many people use their teeth as improvised tools without considering the structural risk involved.
From a clinical perspective, this habit exposes teeth to sudden, uncontrolled forces that significantly increase the risk of fracture, displacement or restoration damage. Unlike gradual wear, trauma caused by using teeth as tools often happens in a single moment.
During appointments at our dental office, our dentists and dental team regularly treat patients whose dental injuries began with what seemed like a minor shortcut.
The Problem: Sudden Force and Structural Fracture
According to National Health Service from the UK (NHS) guidance on dental trauma, teeth can fracture or become displaced when exposed to sudden force or impact. When teeth are used to open packaging, grip hard objects or twist bottle caps, the force applied is not evenly distributed as it is during chewing.
NHS information on broken teeth explains that fractures may range from small enamel chips to deeper structural cracks that involve dentine or pulp. In some cases, this may lead to pain, sensitivity or the need for urgent treatment.
The College of General Dentistry (CGDent) clinical standards on managing traumatic dental injuries describes how acute mechanical overload can compromise tooth structure, potentially resulting in crown fractures or more extensive injury depending on the intensity of force.
Sudden pressure is unpredictable. Even healthy teeth may fracture if the force exceeds structural tolerance.
Real Life Scenarios That Increase Risk
Using teeth as tools often occurs in everyday situations, including:
Opening plastic packaging
Tearing adhesive tape
Holding nails, pins or hair grips
Twisting bottle caps
Biting fishing line or thread
The Oral Health Foundation highlights that common habits like opening bottles or tearing tags place concentrated force on one area of the tooth. Unlike chewing food, which distributes pressure across multiple surfaces, tool-like use creates localised stress points.
Canadian Dental Association (CDA) guidance on prevention of traumatic injuries emphasises avoiding behaviours that expose teeth to preventable injury. Structural damage from these habits is rarely accidental in nature. It is behavioural and avoidable.
Damage to Fillings and Existing Restorations
Teeth with large fillings, bonding or crowns are particularly vulnerable. Even if the natural tooth is intact, restorations may fracture under excessive force.
Compromised tooth structure may be more susceptible to fracture when exposed to sudden loading. When a filling or crown fractures, the underlying tooth may become exposed, increasing sensitivity and infection risk.
When Is It an Emergency?
The Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario (RCDSO) standards on preventing dental injury reinforce the importance of early assessment when trauma occurs.
You should seek prompt evaluation at your dental clinic if you experience:
A visible chip or crack
Pain when biting
Tooth mobility
Bleeding around the gum
Sensitivity that was not previously present
The NHS also provides guidance on caring for your mouth after a dental injury, noting that prompt assessment may prevent more extensive intervention later.
Prevention Is Simple and Highly Effective
The most effective solution is behavioural awareness. Our dentists and dental team recommend:
Use scissors or proper tools instead of your teeth.
Avoid holding objects between your teeth.
Teach children early that teeth are not tools.
Be especially cautious if you have restorations.
Our children’s dentist and kids’ dental team often guide families on preventing avoidable trauma. Early education significantly reduces risk.
Dental trauma caused by using teeth as tools is preventable. Sudden mechanical overload can compromise enamel, fracture restorations and lead to emergency treatment. Changing this habit protects both natural tooth structure and existing dental work.
If you have experienced dental trauma or want a preventive assessment, contact By The Lake Dental, your favourite dental office in Ajax and Scarborough, and book your appointment today.
Why choose By The Lake Dental:
✅ +15 years caring for our community’s oral health needs
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✅ Direct billing to benefit provider
✅ Cutting-edge technology
✅ Full service family care
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Call us today: Ajax 905-428-2111, Highland Creek 416-284-8282.
