Whether it feels like a casual act or a compulsion, your habit may feel completely harmless. The truth is that crunching on the leftover ice in your drink could pose a risk to your oral health. Learn how something as simple as chewing on ice could impact your smile and what you should do if the unexpected happens.
Is Chewing Ice Bad for Your Teeth?
Whether it’s ice, a jaw breaker, or other hard items, it’s important to keep in mind that the force it takes to crunch on these can impact the health of your teeth and your jaw joints and muscles. When done routinely, chewing ice can lead to the following dangers:
- Tooth Damage: The force required to crunch on thick cubes of ice can chip or even crack a tooth, which would require repair.
- Damage to Restorations: If you have existing dental restorations, such as a bonded tooth, dental crown, or a filling, you’re putting them at-risk of becoming damaged when you chew ice.
- Jaw Issues: Chewing on ice can put added stress on your jaw joints and the muscles surrounding them. Over time, that could lead to symptoms of TMJ disorder, like clicking sounds when you open and close your mouth and jaw pain.
- Enamel Erosion: Tooth enamel is what protects your teeth against decay, and when that protective layer has eroded or been weakened by habits like ice chewing, it could put you at a higher risk of dental concerns.
While chewing ice isn’t the end-all be-all for your oral health, it’s important to understand the risks that the habit poses, especially when it’s done routinely.
Tooth-Healthy Alternatives to Chewing Ice
If chewing ice is a habit that you’re not going to be able to break anytime soon, there are still some changes you could make to protect your teeth! Below are some alternatives that are safer for your dental health:
- Frozen Fruit: Frozen fruit can easily be purchased by the bag in the freezer section of your grocery store and is a refreshing and tooth-healthy alternative, as fruit is softer and offers key nutrients.
- Crunchy Chilled Vegetables: Crunchy fresh vegetables like carrots, celery, and cucumbers are not only a better alternative to ice, but they also help naturally brush your teeth due to their crunch and texture.
- Opt for Crushed Ice Instead: If ice is simply something you’re not willing to part with, try investing in a crushed ice machine instead of chewing on large cubes. Crushed ice is softer and less likely to damage your teeth or restorations.
- Try Chewing Gum: Many sugar-free chewing gum brands out there contain xylitol, helping keep your mouth busy as well as protect your teeth against decay!
Chewing ice can lead to a variety of dental issues that could require an emergency visit to your dentist’s office. Make the better choice for your smile by substituting some of these simple and easy alternatives into your life. Your smile will thank you!
About the Author
Dr. Rafiq Hirji has over 10 years of experience practicing dentistry and is happy to provide his patients in pain with fast, same-day emergency dental care. He never wants his patients to wait in pain for any longer than necessary, and because he offers most treatments in-house, his patients are able to have their concerns treated more quickly. For questions or to schedule an appointment, visit Daily Smiles MacArthur Dental & Orthodontics’ website or call 972-546-4114.