Are chicken feet good for teeth?: The surprising truth about collagen and dental health

October 4, 2025 •

4 min read

In many traditional cuisines, chicken feet are valued for their rich collagen content, but are chicken feet good for teeth? The benefits for human dental health are primarily derived from the nutrient-rich compounds they contain, which are most safely consumed when extracted into bone broth, not by chewing the feet directly.

Quick Summary

Chicken feet are a nutrient-dense source of collagen, calcium, and phosphorus, which support healthy gums and bones. For humans, consuming these nutrients is safest via bone broth, as chewing the hard bones can cause dental damage. The practice is more beneficial and safer for dogs, who have different dental structures.

Key Points

Nutrient-Rich Source: Chicken feet are packed with collagen, calcium, phosphorus, and gelatin, which are beneficial for bones, gums, and connective tissues.
Chewing is Dangerous for Humans: Chewing on chicken feet and their bones can cause chipped or cracked teeth and poses a serious risk of injury from splintering bones, unlike chewing treats that benefit a dog's teeth.
Broth is the Safe Alternative: For human consumption, the best way to extract the dental-supporting nutrients is by simmering chicken feet for a long time to create a rich, gelatinous bone broth.
Collagen Supports Gums: Gelatin from cooked collagen provides amino acids that help synthesize new collagen, strengthening the gum tissue that supports teeth.
Overall Oral Hygiene is Key: Consuming nutrient-rich broth is a supplement, not a replacement, for a comprehensive dental care routine involving regular brushing, flossing, and professional check-ups.

The Nutritional Powerhouse of Chicken Feet

Chicken feet are comprised mostly of connective tissue—skin, cartilage, tendons, and bones—rather than meat. This unique composition makes them an exceptional source of several nutrients vital for overall health, including oral health. The primary benefits for teeth and gums come from:

Collagen: This structural protein makes up a significant portion of our bones, tendons, ligaments, and skin. Approximately 70% of the total protein in chicken feet is collagen, which is crucial for the integrity of gum tissue and the stability of teeth.
Gelatin: When chicken feet are cooked, their collagen breaks down into gelatin. This gelatin provides amino acids like glycine and proline, which are essential for new collagen synthesis in the gums, helping to keep periodontal tissue firm and strong.
Minerals: Chicken feet contain a notable amount of calcium and phosphorus, two minerals that are fundamental for building and maintaining strong teeth and bones.

The Dental Distinction: Why Chewing is for Canines, Not Humans

While some might be tempted to chew on chicken feet to reap their dental benefits, this is a dangerous practice for humans. The crunchy texture and abrasive action that can help clean a dog's teeth are not suited for human dental anatomy. Here’s a breakdown of the risks:

Risk of Chipping and Cracking: Human teeth are not designed to crush bones. Chewing on cooked or raw chicken feet can lead to chipped or cracked teeth, a painful and often expensive dental injury.
Bone Splinters: Cooked chicken bones, in particular, can splinter into sharp shards. This poses a significant risk of causing internal damage, which is why it is consistently warned against for pets and is even more critical to avoid for humans.
No Replacement for Hygiene: The scraping action of chewing does not replace or outperform proper oral hygiene practices like brushing and flossing, which are necessary for removing plaque and preventing gum disease.

Comparison: Chewing vs. Broth for Dental Health


Feature	Direct Chewing of Chicken Feet (Humans)	Consuming Chicken Feet Broth (Humans)
Nutrient Absorption	Inefficient, relies on digestion of small pieces of bone and connective tissue.	Efficient, nutrients like collagen, gelatin, calcium, and phosphorus are extracted into the liquid, making them readily available for the body.
Dental Impact	High risk of chipped or cracked teeth, and internal injury from bone splinters.	No risk of dental damage, as the broth is liquid and doesn't contain hard bone fragments.
Oral Health Benefits	Minimal to none due to the significant risks involved. The physical action is counterproductive.	Provides foundational building blocks for healthy gum tissue, strong jawbones, and teeth.
Preparation	No preparation needed beyond cooking, but unsafe for dental health.	Requires cooking low and slow for several hours to extract nutrients safely.
Experience	Potentially painful, risky, and unpleasant due to the texture and danger.	Enjoyable, warm, and nutritious, serving as a base for soups or a healthy drink.

The Safe and Nutritious Approach: Bone Broth

For those seeking the dental and nutritional benefits of chicken feet, the safest and most effective method is creating a long-simmering bone broth. This process extracts the valuable collagen, gelatin, and minerals into a readily digestible liquid.

To prepare a nutrient-rich chicken feet broth:

Thoroughly wash the chicken feet and, for cleanliness, blanch them by boiling for about 5 minutes, then drain and rinse.
Trim and discard the claws for easier handling.
In a pot, cover the feet with cold water and add aromatic vegetables like carrots, onions, and celery, along with herbs.
Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a low simmer. Continue to cook for several hours (at least 2-3 hours is often recommended).
Strain the broth through a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth to remove all bone fragments and solids.
The resulting liquid, rich in gelatin and minerals, can be enjoyed as a warm, nourishing drink or used as a base for various soups and sauces.

Broader Strategies for Optimal Oral Health

While chicken feet broth can be a beneficial addition, a comprehensive approach to dental care is paramount. A healthy mouth depends on a combination of diet, hygiene, and professional care.

Balanced Diet: Ensure a diet rich in calcium, phosphorus, and vitamins A and C, found in dairy products, leafy greens, and fruits. These nutrients are essential for strong enamel and healthy gums.
Consistent Hygiene: Brush twice daily with a fluoride toothpaste and floss at least once daily to remove plaque and food particles, the primary causes of tooth decay and gum disease.
Regular Dental Visits: Professional cleanings and check-ups with a dentist or dental hygienist are necessary to remove hardened plaque (tartar) and address any emerging issues.
Avoid Damaging Foods: In addition to bones, hard candies, ice, and popcorn kernels can all lead to chipped or broken teeth.
Hydration: Drinking fluoridated water helps protect teeth throughout the day.

Conclusion

While the nutritional profile of chicken feet, particularly their high collagen content, offers significant potential benefits for dental health, the method of consumption is critical. The idea that chewing chicken feet is good for your teeth is largely based on practices observed in dogs, and it is a dangerous habit for humans that can lead to severe dental damage. For humans, the safe and effective way to harness these nutrients is by preparing a gelatin-rich bone broth. This liquid gold provides the essential building blocks for strong teeth and healthy gums without any of the risks. Ultimately, while chicken feet broth can supplement your dental nutrition, it is no substitute for a balanced diet and consistent, proper oral hygiene practices.

Visit the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research for more oral hygiene tips.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, chewing on chicken feet is not recommended for plaque removal in humans. The mechanical action could easily chip or crack your teeth. This method is used for dogs, whose dental structure is different and more resilient to chewing on bones.

The main benefit comes from the high concentration of collagen, which breaks down into gelatin when cooked. This provides amino acids and minerals that support healthy gums, strong bones, and connective tissues.

Neither cooked nor raw chicken feet are safe for humans to chew due to the risk of dental damage. Cooked bones are particularly dangerous as they can become brittle and splinter, causing injury.

The safest and most effective way is to make bone broth. Simmering the chicken feet for an extended period extracts the beneficial nutrients like collagen, gelatin, and minerals into the liquid, which can be consumed easily and safely.

Yes, simmering chicken feet for broth extracts minerals like calcium and phosphorus into the liquid. These minerals are essential for maintaining strong teeth and bones.

Gelatin, derived from the collagen in chicken feet, contains amino acids that support the synthesis of new collagen in the gums. This can help strengthen periodontal tissue, which is beneficial for overall gum health, though it is not a cure for gum disease.

No. While they offer nutritional support, chicken feet or their broth are not a substitute for proper oral hygiene. Brushing with fluoride toothpaste, flossing, and regular dental check-ups are the most critical components of maintaining dental health.