Q:
I have a habit of chewing ice, it feels good and relaxes me after a long day. Will this have any long term impact on my teeth? via email Saturday August 21, 2010 from Marsha.
A:
Thanks for the question! Chewing ice can be detrimental to your teeth as it is a repetitive force that is applied to your teeth. Ice a hard substance which when chewed between teeth over time can have the potential to cause small fractures on the tooth surface. These small fractures on the surface of the tooth can over time become larger until a piece of tooth actually fractures off.
As well, ice is cold thus the temperature change in the mouth may cause existing fillings in the teeth such as composite (white) or amalgam (silver) fillings to contract and when the ice is taken away to once again expand. When this happens repeatedly, the area between the filling and the tooth can become weaker and allow leakage between the tooth which has the potential to irritate the pulp and nerve of the tooth.
I would recommend trying to stop this as it can be harmful to the dentition. As well, I would suggest you seen your physician as repetitive ice chewing can be related to anemia (low iron levels), this is called Pica.
Have a great day!
Nathan Haas
Sunday, August 22, 2010
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I have a tendency of chewing ice as well. Whenever I order a drink in a restaurant, I'd eat some of the ice, just because it feels good and it gives that quenched feeling after you're done with it. I know I have to stop because it's not going to do any good for my teeth at all. I know that I have an option to have dental implants. St. Petersburg has a lot of dental surgeons who can do that for me. But of course, even if you can pay for the implants, that doesn't stop you from taking care of your teeth. Any dentist in St. Petersburg can give awesome tips like yours anytime during their consultation. It's best that one should follow his or her dentist's instructions for a better dental health.
ReplyDeleteThis is a common doubt which everyone would have. And this is a serious doubt for parents who have their children chewing ice. :) Thanks for sharing the answer here.
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