Don't Risk Dental Injuries From Eating While Driving

27 January 2017 by Brent Woods

Whether you're on a big road trip or simply commuting to or from work, it's often tempting to enjoy a meal or some snacks while you're behind the wheel. On a road trip, eating while driving can save you some time, while snacking during your commute can make the time pass more pleasantly. However, despite the number of people who munch on food while driving, there are risks to doing so. A simple mistake could lead to significant dental damage, including chipped or broken teeth, that could have you steering toward the nearest dental clinic instead of your intended destination. Here are some particular risks that you may encounter.

Biting Something Hard While Distracted

Eating while driving involves a fair degree of multitasking, making it easy to bite down on something hard by mistake and end up with damage to one of your teeth. For example, you might feel as though eating a juicy peach seems innocent enough, but given that you're likely keeping your eyes on the road while you drive, you may bite too deeply into the fruit and crack a tooth against the hard pit. Similarly, if you're eating your morning oatmeal with a spoon from home because you were late getting up, you may mistakenly bite down onto the spoon and cause dental damage.

Being Hit Because Of Bumps In The Road

When you're driving, you often can't predict when your vehicle will hit small bumps that will cause you to get jostled. This can be a concern if you're sipping on a drink in a glass bottle, for example. If you have the lip of the bottle close to your mouth when your car hits a bump in the road, the bottle may quickly bang into your teeth and cause a crack or a chip. If you choose to enjoy a beverage while driving, opt for plastic bottles instead of glass bottles, but keep in mind that even a plastic bottle could lead to this injury. When possible, sip from your bottle when you're stopped.

Burning Yourself By Mistake

When you consume hot foods or drinks at home, you're likely more apt to carefully check the temperature of what you're about to consume. Because you're focused on the road while driving, you may bite into something hot or sip a hot drink without realizing just how hot it is, leading to an oral injury. You could burn your lips or gums, and while these issues won't likely require a visit to the dentist, you could experience severe pain if you have sensitive teeth.

For more information, contact local professionals like David Jackson, DDS.

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