We always head to our freezers or nearby soda shops to escape the maddening torridity of the peak summer season. Isn’t it a relief to gulp down a glass of cold beverage filled with ice? One moment the glass is full, and the next moment it’s empty; all that is left behind is ice. And before you know it, you are chewing down the ice. It’s an act that satiates your innate craving. However, it’s also an act that is precarious to your teeth as well.
Effects Of Chewing Ice With Our Teeth
Teeth are for eating and brightening up your smile. You shouldn’t treat it like another can opener in your toolbox. In fact, it’s best for your oral health that you refrain from crunching on hard objects like ice or nuts. Sometimes, it is just a force of habit; other times, we feel too lazy to grab a nutcracker. Nevertheless, whatever the reason, your teeth might pay a hefty price. Here is what you sign up for when you keep on chewing ice:
Weaker Enamel:
When you try crunching down on hard ice, your enamel faces the collateral. The hardness of ice can wear down the enamel of your teeth. Do you know what might follow a weaker enamel? Increased vulnerability to cavities and higher teeth sensitivity.
Risk Of Tooth Chipping:
When two hard surfaces crash against each other, one succumbs to the force. Most of the time, it’s the ice that breaks. However, sometimes your tooth also takes the brunt of the damage. Tooth chipping can result from chewing on ice, and it’s not a pleasant experience. At first, you need to tackle excruciating pain and then rush to your dentist for fillings. At the end of this frantic episode, you will be at the dentist’s chair, having paid thousands of bucks for your fillings.
Ice is not only tough on your tooth but also on any dental work it has gone through. Ice chewing can scratch fillings damaging them in the process.
Cause Gum Recession:
The force from biting down on ice radiates to the gums. As a result, gums start to recede from the impact revealing the tooth’s root. These small periodontal pockets left behind by receding gums are a suitable place for plaque bacteria to proliferate. However, that’s not all, when the tooth’s root is exposed, your tooth becomes more sensitive to hot or cold.
Conclusion:
We know that chewing on ice can be relieving, but it does have a toll on your teeth. Hence, finding an alternative is better to avoid unnecessary damage to your teeth and gums. For example, you can try on crushed ice or soft ice or just let the ice melt in your mouth. In this way, you can safeguard your tooth from ice chewing damage. However, if you cannot curb your ice chewing craving, discuss this issue with a dentist. Looking for a dentist to discuss your oral health with? Bayside Dental Is all ears to your dental problem. Together we can work out a solution. Call us at 979-330-4113 to learn more about how we can help.