It’s incredibly common for people to mindlessly chew ice. Unfortunately, chewing ice can cause a myriad of oral health issues, and even cost you an expensive trip to the dentist or orthodontist. Here’s some of the real damage caused by chewing ice.
Chewing Ice can:
Damage Tooth Enamel
Tooth enamel is the hardest substance in the human body, yet chewing ice can still damage it. Tooth enamel is the first line of defense against cavities, and helps protect teeth from sugar and acid attacks. If tooth enamel is damaged by chewing ice, it can leave a tooth more vulnerable to acid attacks and tooth decay.
Destroy Oral Appliances
Oral appliances like braces and retainers play a vital role in developing healthy smiles that have proper tooth and bite alignment. Despite their sturdy construction, chewing ice can damage oral appliances. Those with braces risk dislodging wires or even damaging brackets, which can result in an expensive trip to the orthodontist. If your child has an oral appliance, it is important that you communicate to them the dangers of chewing ice.
Crack or Chip Teeth
Teeth may seem tough and sturdy, but they aren’t designed to crunch very hard objects like ice. Chewing ice can easily lead to a cracked or chipped tooth, which requires an emergency dental visit to repair the broken tooth. If your child has a cracked tooth, then try to save the remnants of the tooth in a small bag of milk, and immediately schedule an appointment with our office. If you act in time, we might be able to repair a fractured tooth.
Damage Dental Fillings
Dental fillings are one of the most common oral appliances used today. Fillings can be cracked or dislodged by chewing hard substances such as ice. Losing a filling requires an immediate trip to the dentist for a repair.
Does Your Child Have a Damaged Tooth?
Chewing ice is often a reflexive, subconscious act that many kids don’t even notice. However, you should remind your children about the dangers of chewing ice and try to prevent the habit all together. Chewing ice can damage teeth and oral appliances, and lead to an emergency dental appointment. If your child has cracked or chipped a tooth, then immediately call our office to inquire about an emergency dental visit.
