Are you that person that walks to the freezer, grabs an ice cube and starts chewing? Satisfying right? Chewing on ice can actually cause a whirlwind of problems to your dental health starting at your enamel. While your enamel is tough, the temperature causes contractions and expansions in the enamel which will in turn cause tiny cracks within it making it more prone to decay and a lot more sensitive.
The dental effects of chewing on ice include but are not limited to :
- Causing cracked or chipped teeth
- Damaging restorative work like fillings or veneers
- Increased sensitivity to hot or cold foods/drinks
- Dental Trauma
If you are chewing on ice frequently or know of someone doing it frequently, it may be worth looking into with your doctor. Compulsive ice eating is also known as "Pagophagia" which has been linked to underlying health conditions like iron deficiency anaemia. The best way to stop the habit is to find out what's causing it and for the sake of your overall health it is worth looking into!
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