Ask the Dentist!
Chewing Ice Can Cause Serious Tooth Problems
Ice chewing is one of the most damaging habits to teeth that I see on a daily basis. Along with clenching and grinding, ice chewing causes cracks to form in teeth which can eventually lead to teeth breaking. In addition to tooth cracks, chipped or broken crowns and fillings also occur. As cracks get deeper, pain when chewing can occur with could lead to a root canal and crown.
Ice chewing can not only be a habit but also an indication of anemia, especially in women. One of the main questions I ask of patients that chew ice is - do they crave ice. Craving ice is more of an indication of anemia than a habit. This of course should be checked and verified by a primary care physician and treated accordingly.
So, if you chew ice, it’s best to stop ASAP. Although the damage done from ice chewing is done, it will keep problems from occurring quicker than they should.