Dentists have revealed the dangers involved in chewing ice, warning that it can lead to broken teeth and increased sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures.
“Tooth enamel is composed of rod-like structures made up of thousands of microscopic crystals,” Dr. Rupali Kulkarni, a dentist and spokeswoman for the American Dental Association, explained to USA Today. “Ice is also a crystal, so when you force two crystals together, one of them will break apart.”
People may chew ice out of boredom, hunger, stress, to stop smoking, or simply because they like the sound of chewing. They may not realize they are doing this, especially in the summer.
Compulsive eating of ice is called bagovagia, which has long been linked to iron deficiency anemia.
It is not clear how many people suffer from this condition, as although it is common, it is rarely reported as Pica is a psychological disorder characterized by cravings for substances that are not usually nutritious.
Whatever the reason behind this practice, dentists recommend that you stop chewing ice, and some even took to the TikTok platform to show in detail what could happen if you continue this habit.
Dr. Gretchen Yarborough warned that chewing on hard materials can lead to microfractures in teeth.
"These microfractures will spread with clenching, grinding and time," explained Yarborough, a dentist in South Carolina. "A broken tooth is very painful, and the treatment is extraction, bone grafting, and implant placement."
And that's just the tip of the iceberg. Ice cold can cause problems for dental fillings and crowns because they "may have different rates of expansion and contraction due to changes in temperature," Dr. Natalie Peterson, a dental surgeon at the University of Minnesota College of Dental Medicine, explains to USA Today. temperature compared to your natural teeth.
For those who want to quit smoking, experts recommend letting the ice melt on your tongue instead of chewing it or skipping ice completely in drinks to avoid the temptation to chew it.
Those who still want a crunchy meal can switch to carrots or apple slices.
It helps to quit smoking too.
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