How does using your teeth as tools damage them?

You're rushing to open a stubborn package. Scissors aren't nearby, so you use your teeth. It works, and you move on. But opening packages, biting through thread or prying off a cap can put your teeth at risk of damage. 

What you will learn in this article: 

• Using your teeth to open or hold objects can lead to dental injuries. 

• A chip and a deeper crack can require different kinds of care. 

• New pain or a change in a tooth deserves attention, even if symptoms come and go. 

• Keeping scissors and openers within reach makes it easier to break the habit. 

Concerned about a tooth you've been using as a tool? Schedule an appointment with an Aspen Dental provider to have it checked and discuss any changes you've noticed. 

Why is using your teeth as tools harmful? 

Teeth are built for biting and chewing food. Pulling at packaging or a tag, or gripping something while your hands are full, asks them to do a job they weren’t made for. That can lead to cracked teeth or a hurt jaw, and an object held in the mouth can end up swallowed.¹ 

It's easy to focus on hard objects like bottle caps and overlook smaller habits. Biting thread or tearing a plastic wrapper may feel harmless because you've done it before. That doesn't make teeth a good substitute for scissors. 

What damage can opening packages with your teeth cause? 

A chip happens when a small piece of enamel, the hard outer layer, breaks off. A crack goes deeper, passing through the tooth instead of just its outer surface. How serious either one is varies, and teeth that already have decay, worn enamel or a large filling may be more vulnerable.² 

The result isn’t always dramatic. Sometimes the only sign is a rough spot you notice with your tongue or a small change in how a front tooth looks. That is different from a large piece breaking off, but both are worth having assessed.² 

Existing dental work deserves attention too. If a crown or filling looks damaged or feels different after an incident, tell your dental provider what happened. 

Can a cracked tooth cause symptoms that come and go? 

Yes. A cracked tooth can cause uneven pain when you chew, sometimes right as you let go of a bite, or a sharp reaction to hot or cold. The pain can come and go, which makes the troublesome tooth hard to pin down. Some fractures cause few symptoms at first.³ 

Cracks can also spread over time. Each bite can shift the cracked pieces slightly, which can irritate the soft tissue inside the tooth, called the pulp. A larger crack can let infection develop. If you suspect a crack, arrange an assessment as soon as possible.³ 

A quick look in the mirror can't tell you how deep damage goes. Describe the incident and your symptoms to your provider rather than trying to decide for yourself whether a line or rough edge is serious. 

When should you contact a dental provider? 

Call your dental provider if you've chipped a tooth or think it may be cracked. When you call, mention: 

• What you were opening, cutting or holding with your teeth 

• Whether you noticed a piece break off or a new rough edge 

• Any pain during biting or sensitivity to temperature 

• Whether a crown or filling seems to have changed 

If the pain is severe, say so when you call and ask about an urgent appointment. Not every chip needs a major repair. The purpose of the visit is to find out what happened and what care, if any, is appropriate. For more guidance, see when to see a dental provider for a chipped or broken tooth. 

How are chipped or cracked teeth treated? 

A small chip may need no treatment, smoothing or bonding. More extensive damage may require a crown. If a crack reaches the pulp, treatment may include a root canal and crown. Some deep fractures cannot be repaired.²^,³

There's no single path. Your provider considers the damage's location and extent before recommending treatment. Ask what the proposed repair will address and how to protect the tooth afterward. 

How can you stop using your teeth as tools? 

Make the alternative convenient. Think about where the habit happens, then keep the right tool there: 

• Opening packages: Store scissors or a package opener near where you unpack deliveries. 

• Cutting thread or tags: Keep small scissors with your sewing supplies or in a desk drawer. 

• Opening bottles: Use an opener designed for the cap. 

• Holding objects: Set them on a surface or ask someone to help instead of gripping them with your teeth. 

If you usually do it while rushing, pause before starting the task. A tool within reach makes that pause easier to turn into a new routine. 

Noticed a change in a tooth? Contact your local dental provider to describe the problem and arrange an exam. 

How does using your teeth as tools damage them? FAQs 

Can I file down a sharp chipped edge myself? 

Leave reshaping to a dental provider. Repairing a chip takes a provider’s tools and training. Dental wax can temporarily cover a sharp edge while you wait for your appointment.² Ask the office how to protect the area until you're seen. 

What should I do with a broken tooth fragment? 

If a large piece breaks off and you can find it, store it in milk and bring it to your appointment. Your provider may be able to reattach it.² Call to explain what happened, and don’t let the search for the piece delay arranging care. 

Will a tooth crack heal if I stop using my teeth as tools? 

No. A crack in a tooth does not knit back together the way a broken bone can. Treatment is meant to protect the tooth and make it less likely that the crack spreads.³ Changing the habit is still worthwhile, but it doesn’t replace assessment of existing damage. 

Sources 

¹ American Dental Association, MouthHealthy: “6 Habits That Harm Your Teeth (And How to Break Them).” https://www.mouthhealthy.org/bad-habits-for-dental-health 

² Cleveland Clinic: “Chipped Tooth.” https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/chipped-tooth 

³ American Association of Endodontists: “Cracked Teeth.” https://www.aae.org/patients/dental-symptoms/cracked-teeth/