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Posted on 10/25/2019 by Dr. Frank K. Sioda |
 To many people, chewing ice is a seemingly harmless habit. In reality, crunching on ice cubes can cause a lot of dental problems. By learning what they are, you can try to protect your teeth by avoiding ice chewing in the future. Chewing Ice Causes May Cause MicrofracturesWhen you chew on ice, the teeth quickly cool off and heat up repeatedly. This causes the enamel to expand and contract, and in almost all cases, it leads to microfractures that form on the teeth surfaces. These fractures expand each time that you chew ice, and the more often that you chew, the faster they will spread. Eventually, those fractures can turn into cracks and breaks in the teeth, leading to pain, sensitivity, and infection. Chewing Ice May Cut Your GumsIce is a hard substance, and as you chew it, you may create jagged edges that can cut your gums. This soft tissue damage could lead to infection or other problems with time, and it can be quite painful while it heals. Chewing Ice May Destroy the EnamelThe pressure of chewing on ice will cause enamel to wear down with time. This will explore the inner layers of your teeth to plaque and bacteria. Your teeth may feel sensitive or painful as the enamel becomes thinner. Unfortunately, once the enamel is gone, it is gone for good. There is no way to regenerate it. Chewing Ice Might Damage Dental RestorationsIf you have fillings or crowns, you should definitely be wary of chewing on ice. Chewing ice puts unnatural amounts of pressure on your teeth, and it could cause these restorations to break away. This could require more expensive restorations in the future to correct the problem. Have your teeth been damaged due to your ice chewing habit? If so, call us today to set up an appointment. |
 Talk to one of our caring patient coordinators today to schedule an appointment. Dr. Frank Sioda 18676 Willamette Dr. Suite 202 West Linn, OR 97068-1718 |
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