Chewing on ice can be an easy way to cool down on a hot day. However, it can also be a sign of iron deficiency. No matter the reason behind your ice chewing, you can cause serious damage to your smile. Here’s how chomping on ice can harm your teeth and what you can do to break the habit.
Risks of Chewing on Ice
Your teeth are protected by the hardest substance in your body, but your enamel isn’t indestructible. Not to mention, it doesn’t grow back if it’s lost.
Chewing on ice can damage your enamel, but that’s not the only concern. Here are just a few risks of regularly giving in to your ice cravings:
- Tooth Sensitivity: Crunching on ice can weaken your enamel over time, which can lead to tooth sensitivity. You may experience temporary pain when exposing your teeth to hot or cold foods and drinks.
- Cracked or Chipped Teeth: The repeated pressure of chewing ice can weaken your teeth. Eventually, a tooth might crack or chip, which will require urgent care from a dentist.
- Damage Existing Dental Work: Crowns, fillings, and bridges are strong, but they aren’t any match for chewing hard foods, including ice. You can break existing dental work or even cause it to fall out.
- Jaw Pain: The pressure of chewing ice can inflame your temporomandibular joints, which are located on either side of your face, connecting your jaw to your skull. You might experience recurring jaw pain or other complications, like clicking, popping, or grating sensations when opening and closing your mouth.
Alternatives to Chewing on Ice
Chewing on ice can be a hard habit to break, but here are a few tips to help you safeguard your smile from the crunching:
- Make It Melt: Give ice a little time to melt, which will make it slightly softer and less damaging to your teeth.
- Chew Gum Instead: Chewing sugarless gum is a great substitute for ice. It will also improve your oral health by increasing saliva production to keep your teeth and gums clean.
- Switch to Slush: Crushed ice is much easier to chew than whole ice cubes.
- Grab an Apple: If you need something crunchy, grab an apple, carrot, or piece of celery to satisfy your craving.
- Treat Iron Deficiency: If low iron is driving your need for ice, take a supplement or adjust your diet to treat the deficiency.
If you love crunching ice, you’re not alone. However, don’t let your smile become a victim of the habit. If you need help to break the urge to crunch, ask your dentist for additional tips to protect your pearly whites.
About Dr. Mario DeNicola
Dr. DeNicola earned his dental degree at the State University of New York at the Buffalo School of Dental Medicine. He regularly continues his education in advanced services, like Invisalign, general dentistry, and oral surgery. He is also a proud member of many professional organizations, including the American Dental Association. Request an appointment through our website or call (540) 908-3774.