If you chew ice after finishing a beverage, you might want to reconsider the habit. For various reasons, many dentists advise their patients not to chomp on ice cubes. Here's how the habit puts your teeth at risk and tips for stopping.   

Why Do People Chew Ice?

The scientific term for eating ice, pagophagia, is a symptom of an eating disorder called pica. Individuals with pica eat non-food items compulsively, including ice, clay, dirt, and hair. Their behavior may result from lack of an essential vitamin or mineral, such as an iron deficiency. 

While ice does not contain iron, eating it increases blood flow to the brain, acting as a substitute for the red blood cells missing due to the lack of iron. The ice delivers a temporary boost that enhances clear thought. 

Why Is It Harmful?

Teeth are strong, but they're not meant to break big chunks or cubes of ice. Crunching on frozen cubes can chip or break a tooth. Although tooth enamel is the body's hardest substance, ice chewing can damage it. When enamel is chipped or worn away, it leaves the underlying dentin vulnerable to tooth decay. The habit of eating ice puts dental work at risk. Fillings, crowns, or braces a dentist installs can suffer damage and injure your mouth.    

What Are Some Tips to Stop?

Knowing why you chew ice makes it easier to stop. If you have an iron deficiency with symptoms including pagophagia, consult a medical professional about taking iron supplements. Once the deficiency ends, the urge to crunch ice may cease. If pica is the cause, you might benefit from zinc supplements, medication, and therapy. 

If you find joy in crunching, dentists recommend healthy substitutes, such as baby carrots or apple chunks, to satisfy that urge. However, if you crave ice, try it without the crunch. Use small pieces of ice you place in your mouth and let them melt. 

When you need dental care, or advice from a dentist to help end ice chewing, consult John D. Mainwaring, DDS. This community-based local practice features a caring team of dentists serving the Orange, CT, area. Their wide range of general dentistry services include preventative exams, teeth cleaning, dentures, and crowns. Patients receive compassionate care in a safe and comfortable environment. Visit them online for more about their services. Call (203) 799-6625 to schedule an appointment.