Posted on 10/19/2021 7:03:02 AM PDT by Red Badger
As a pediatric dentist, I sometimes get questions from parents and patients about chewing ice. They generally want to know why some people enjoy doing it and whether it can harm teeth.
Ice chewing or crunching may bother those seated around the table, but it's a soothing activity, especially for someone experiencing dry mouth.
It may also help relieve stress or aid with relaxation. In some cases, people may chew ice to satisfy hunger cravings because it can mimic the sensation of eating without ingesting calories.
For others, chomping on ice cubes may simply be a habit.
Why it's dangerous
No matter the cause, it's a habit worth breaking. Chewing ice is bad for your oral health, and if you're unlucky, it may eventually cost you or your parents an expensive trip to the dentist or orthodontist.
Chewing ice could lead to cracks in enamel, which can lead to increased sensitivity to hot and cold foods and drinks.
If you break or fracture a tooth by chewing ice, you might get a cavity – a hole – in that tooth. That's because acids produced by bacteria can penetrate the softer layer of the tooth, the dentin, much more easily and cause tooth decay.
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.
Depending on the severity of the problem, the repair may require anything from a simple filling to a root canal – a more serious procedure requiring anesthesia.
How to stop
There are several ways to kick this habit.
1. Melt cubes in your mouth: Instead of crunching ice cubes, try holding them in your mouth and letting them melt. The satisfying cool sensation and refreshment will last longer. And it won't damage your teeth or gums.
2. Stop consuming ice: You can also skip the ice altogether. If it's not in your glass, there's no temptation. In addition to preventing damage to your teeth, you may also avoid the bacteria that can linger in icemakers.
3. Consider softer alternatives: Replacing regular cubes with softer types of ice, such as shaved ice, may help. Try to limit or avoid flavored soft ices, however, because they have lots of sugar, which is bad for your teeth.
4. Chomp on something healthier: Eating raw carrots, sliced apples or other crisp fruits and vegetables could help. Those foods can satisfy the craving to crunch, while stimulating the flow of saliva, which protects your mouth. The fibrous material may also help keep your teeth clean.
In some cases, chewing or crunching ice may result from an iron deficiency – a condition called pagophagia – although the reason for this isn't clear.
When none of the above helps someone stop chewing on ice, dietary changes or an iron supplement could be required. A doctor's appointment might be in order.
Watch out for your mouth
Taking good care of your teeth is important, especially by the time you're about 12 years old. Most people have lost all their baby teeth by then.
Your permanent pearly whites can last for the rest of your life, especially if you brush twice daily with a fluoride toothpaste.
And, if you're an ice chewer, try out the alternatives I've suggested to see if they do the trick.
Matthew Cooke, Associate Professor of Pediatric Dentistry & Anesthesiology, University of Pittsburgh Health Sciences.
Been chewing ice for 35 years or so. Never had a cavity. Never chipped a tooth due to ice (playground equipment, yes).
Oh, and I’m from Arkansas. Breaking the hillbilly stereotype. Dentists hate me because they don’t make money on me.
It will catch up with you, it did me. Took more than 50 years but it did catch up.
Chewing ice and chewing tobacco take their toll.
My husband loved to chew ice and never had a cavity in his life. Perfect teeth! On the other hand I have weak teeth and am positive if I chewed ice even once I’d likely need at least 2 more crowns :(
“Been chewing ice for 35 years or so. Never had a cavity. Never chipped a tooth”
Same with me except I did chip a little piece out of a front tooth which isn’t worth fixing.
My “secret” is to not chomp down too hard on a piece of ice. If it doesn’t easily break, leave it alone.
Also, if you leave ice cubes in a warm area for awhile such as in a drink glass after you’ve drunk the liquid, the cubes get softer.
my teeth are chipped, it may be the ice... but hey, there could be worse things...
Both At the same time?.................
Ice at the freezing point is about 2 on the Mohs hardness scale, the same as gypsum. I wouldn’t try chewing that. At lower temperatures it can reach a hardness of 6, the same as feldspar. But then it would be impossible to chew, and would freeze your mouth.
I remember chewing ice sitting next to my grandfather when i was 8 years old. I am now 62 years old and still chew ice everyday . I still have my teeth and they are in excellent shape. Maybe my family just have good strong enamel or maybe the author is full of shit.
Chewing tobacco and chewing ice are not the same thing . Wow ,you are way off.
Horse pistols give you chopped ice all the time.
It’s soft ice..................
I've heard that a fish doesn't know it is in water.
Teeth can repair themselves.
If they get damaged, it doesn’t matter if they repair themselves.
Everybody’s teeth get damaged. If a person has good teeth, it’s because his body repairs them.
I stopped after I split a molar in half in my mid twenties. Still have the crown 35 years later. Dentist did a good job.
The author must be a Democrat.
First he goes into overkill explaining the many reasons WHY people chew ice. Then he goes into detail about WHY YOU SHOULDN’T chew ice. Then he suggests going to the doctor because YOU’RE broken and need help. Then he says legislation should be put in place to outlaw chewing ice.
(I made up that last part...but YOU KNOW it’s coming eventually, right!)
He’s a dentist.
Dentists are always gung-ho about teeth...................
Here at Snooter’s house there is another good reason to NOT crunch on ice ( chips, some cereals, hard candy ). Not only is it rude and classless, Mr. Snooter has a case of misophonia that will remedy such behavior or habits. You get one polite (1) warning to not do that. On average, most never receive a second. Your teeth will be removed and you can then “gum” on some ice all you want !!
One should never ever chew ice with false teeth. They are expensive!...................
Yeah... I chew a lot of Sonic ice, as well as my home ice. I’ve never - in 50+ years, had a problem with ice.
Dog collars, fists, sure, yeah. But never ice.
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