Chewing ice is an incredibly
common habit. Some people chew on ice after finishing a drink, while others do
it to cool off in the summer heat. Chewing ice may also help relieve stress or
aid in relaxation. No matter what the reason people chew ice, just like many
other hard foods, chewing ice can cause a myriad of oral health issues, and
even cost you an expensive trip to your dentist or orthodontist.
If you already have fillings,
crowns, or veneers, or if you wear braces, use a retainer, or have expanders,
chewing ice makes you particularly vulnerable to tooth damage.
How Chewing Ice Can Damage Your
Teeth
Broken or Fractured Teeth -
Teeth may seem tough and sturdy, but they aren’t designed to crunch extremely
hard objects like ice. Chewing ice can easily lead to a cracked or chipped
tooth, which will require an emergency dental visit to repair the broken tooth.
Cracked Tooth Enamel -
Breaking or chipping a tooth is not the only outcome of chewing ice. Often
times, people will crack their tooth enamel without knowing it. Tooth enamel is
the first line of defense against cavities. If tooth enamel is damaged by
chewing ice, it can leave a tooth more vulnerable to acid attacks and tooth
decay. That’s because acids produced by bacteria can penetrate the softer layer
of the tooth, the dentin, much more easily and cause tooth decay. Cracked tooth
enamel can also lead to hot and cold sensitivities and tooth pain.
Damage Dental Fillings -
Chewing ice can damage existing dental work like fillings, crowns, and veneers.
Damaging your dental work will require an immediate trip to your dentist for a
repair. Something as simple as filling a cavity may be the solution, but other
times root canals and crown replacements are necessary to repair the damage
done from chewing ice.
Destroyed Oral Appliances -
Oral appliances like braces and retainers play a vital role in developing
healthy smiles. Despite their sturdy construction, chewing ice can cause severe
damage to brackets, wires, and aligner trays resulting in extra visits to our
office.
Although there are much worse
habits to have, as your local orthodontist we recommend breaking this habit as
soon as you can.
If you love chewing on ice and
need some ideas to shake the habit, try these tricks:
Let Ice Cubes Melt in your
Mouth - Instead of chewing on the ice cubes, try holding them in your mouth and
letting them melt. The satisfying cool sensation will last longer, and you
won’t damage your teeth or gums.
Say No to Ice - Skip ice
altogether. If it’s not in your glass, the temptation to chew it is gone.
Choose a Crunchy Alternative -
When you feel like you need a satisfying crunch, reach for carrot sticks, cucumber, or apple slices instead of ice…you will get the same crunch without
any tooth damage. Also, chewing on healthy fibrous foods will stimulate saliva
production, which acts as a natural mouthwash.
As with any habit, the first
thing you should do is make yourself aware. If you are concerned about your
oral health or if you chew on ice frequently, make sure you schedule an
appointment with your general dentist to have your teeth and gums evaluated. If
your teeth are already damaged, your dentist will know exactly what to do to
help.
Did you know? The intense craving to chew on
ice is sometimes categorized as pagophagia. Pagophagia, or compulsive ice
chewing, is a particular form of pica that is characterized by ingestion of
ice, freezer frost, or iced drinks. It is usually associated with iron
deficiency anemia. Not everyone who loves chewing ice has pagophagia, but
studies show that some people who have the desire to chew ice also have an
underlying health issue that has not yet been resolved.
