Chew, Bite, Suck, Swallow: How Your Eating Actions Affect Your Teeth
We often focus on what foods we eat. But have you ever thought about how you use your mouth while eating or drinking?
Believe it or not, actions like biting, sucking, slurping, licking, and even gnawing can influence your tooth alignment, jaw health, and risk for decay or damage.
So if you’ve ever sucked on hard candy for three hours, chewed ice like a gremlin, or attacked your food like it owes you money… this one’s for you.
1. Biting
What It Is:
Using your front teeth (incisors or canines) to tear or break off food — apples, sandwiches, tough baguettes, etc.
The Problem:
• Habitually biting into very hard things (e.g., nuts, pens, fingernails) can chip or fracture your teeth.
• Biting unevenly or mostly on one side can shift your bite over time.
• Large or forceful bites may put pressure on the jaw joint (TMJ), especially if alignment is already off.
Better Habit:
• Cut tough foods into smaller pieces.
• Avoid using your teeth as tools (no more opening bags or bottles with your mouth, please).
• Be mindful of jaw tension while biting.
2. Sucking
What It Is:
Drawing something into the mouth using suction — drinks through a straw, hard candy, lozenges, or thumb-sucking (for the littles).
The Problem:
• Constant sucking (especially sugary things like lollipops) bathes your teeth in sugar for extended periods = cavity city.
• In kids, frequent sucking (thumbs, pacifiers, bottles) can affect jaw development and tooth alignment, leading to open bites or protruding front teeth.
• Sipping sugary drinks slowly through a straw for hours? Not much better.
Better Habit:
• If you’re going to suck on candy or mints, choose sugar-free and drink water after.
• For children, wean off sucking habits by age 2–3 to support proper oral development.
3. Chewing
What It Is:
Grinding food with the back teeth (molars) to break it down before swallowing. It also stimulates saliva — nature’s toothpaste.
The Problem:
• One-sided chewing can cause jaw imbalance and even make your face look uneven over time.
• Constant chewing (e.g., gum) can strain the jaw joint and lead to TMJ pain or clicking.
• Chewing ice or non-food objects wears down enamel and can even crack teeth.
Better Habit:
• Chew on both sides.
• Use sugar-free gum, and limit it to 20 minutes at a time.
• Replace hard-to-chew habits with crunchy foods like carrots, cucumbers, or celery.
4. Licking
What It Is:
Using the tongue to move food around, taste, or clean the lips (think ice cream cones, lip-licking, or holding candy on the tongue).
The Problem:
• Repeated licking or pushing the tongue against the teeth (often a subconscious habit) can lead to tongue thrust, especially in children, which pushes teeth outward.
• Excessive lip licking dries out the lips and surrounding skin, leading to irritation or infection (cheilitis).
• Holding candy on one side of the mouth and licking it = sugar bomb for those teeth.
Better Habit:
• Don’t let candy or lozenges sit in one spot — move them around, or better yet, skip them.
• Be mindful of tongue posture — it should rest on the roof of your mouth, not push forward.
5. Gnawing
What It Is:
Biting or chewing repetitively on hard or non-food items — ice, pens, fingernails, even clothing (some kids gnaw on collars or sleeves).
The Problem:
• Gnawing puts repeated pressure on certain teeth and can cause chipping or enamel erosion.
• It’s often a stress or sensory habit that leads to jaw fatigue and misalignment over time.
• Long-term gnawing can subtly move teeth, especially in kids and teens with still-developing jaws.
Better Habit:
• Swap the gnawing with chewelry (chewable jewelry) or sensory-friendly items if needed.
• Practice stress relief techniques to help reduce the urge to gnaw.
• Talk to a dentist if you’re noticing wear or changes in your bite.
6. Slurping / Sipping
What It Is:
The sound (and action) of pulling liquid or soft foods into the mouth, often with straws or spoons.
The Problem:
• Constant sipping on sugary or acidic drinks (e.g., soda, iced coffee, lemon water) leads to constant acid exposure on your teeth.
• The slower the sipping, the longer your enamel is under attack.
• Kids who drink sugary drinks from bottles or sippy cups throughout the day are at high risk for “baby bottle tooth decay.”
Better Habit:
• Finish drinks in one sitting rather than sipping for hours.
• Drink water after acidic or sweet drinks.
• Try sipping through a straw placed toward the back of your mouth to reduce tooth exposure.
7. Tearing / Tugging
What It Is:
Pulling at food with your teeth — like jerky, tough meat, or hard bread — that requires a tug-of-war between your jaw and dinner.
The Problem:
• This can strain your front teeth and cause tiny fractures over time.
• It places uneven stress on your bite and jaw joint.
• It may be a sign that you need to slow down or cut food smaller (and maybe stop eating steak like it’s a lion feast).
Better Habit:
• Cut or shred tough foods before eating.
• Use your back teeth for heavy-duty chewing — they’re built for it.
Final Bite: Action Matters
Your mouth is more than a food tunnel — it’s a precision tool. The way you use it can either protect or wear down your smile.
To protect your oral health and alignment:
• Chew evenly, gently, and with awareness.
• Avoid “boredom biting” and non-food habits.
• Don’t bathe your teeth in sugar or acid all day.
• Help kids build healthy mouth habits early — it sets their future smile in motion.
So next time you reach for that jawbreaker, straw, or pen cap, ask yourself: Is this a snack… or a dental mistake in disguise?
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