Chewing On Ice: A Habit You Should Stop
Posted on: 9 April 2015
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Although you may find this activity truly enjoyable, you're correct in assuming that it's not good for your teeth.
Ice Chewing as a Medical Disorder
Medical practitioners view ice eating as a form of the disorder pica, which involves a craving for non-food substances. A craving for ice is known as pagophagia.
Why People Chew Ice
The compulsion to chomp on ice often is a sign of iron-deficiency anemia. It's not entirely clear why people with this form of anemia crave ice. A study appearing in 2014 found that chewing ice provides a mental boost to these individuals, perhaps by increasing blood flow to the brain. People without iron-deficiency anemia don't respond the same way to ice.
Although the link is established, it's not definitive. Not everyone with iron-deficiency anemia craves ice, and not everyone who chews on ice has anemia. Some pregnant women crave ice on a short-term basis, which may be connected with low iron levels as well. Chewing ice also may help people relieve stress and is a symptom of obsessive-compulsive disorder in some individuals.
The Effects of Ice on Teeth
Crunching on hard food items can cause tiny fractures in teeth that eventually heal. Chomping on ice is likely to have worse effects. Repeated exposure to freezing temperatures and subsequent warming up makes tooth enamel expand and contract over and over, leading to more tiny fractures. If larger fractures occur, you'll develop sensitivity and discomfort, and your teeth become more vulnerable to infection.
Chewing something as hard as ice wears down enamel. It also can cause fillings to come loose and can break dental crowns.
What You Can Do Now
Schedule a blood test with a primary care doctor so you can find out if you have iron-deficiency anemia. If you do, the doctor will help you treat the condition. Don't simply start taking iron supplements, because that can be harmful if you're not deficient in iron.
Replace ice chewing with other habits. You might chew sugar-free gum, for example. If you think you eat ice as a stress-relief method, try other strategies such as practicing meditation, taking walks or listening to soothing music.
Schedule an appointment with your dentist, one like Treasure Valley Periodontics, to learn whether you've caused any damage to your teeth. You may be able to remineralize your enamel to some extent by brushing regularly with a fluoride toothpaste and by getting fluoride treatments from your dentist.