Oh, hey no!
Dentists share the risks of chewing ice, warning that it can lead to chipped or fractured teeth and increased sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures.
“Tooth enamel is made up of rod-shaped structures made up of thousands of microscopic crystals,” Dr. Roopali Kulkarni, a doctor of dentistry and consumer spokesperson for the American Dental Association, explained this week. “Ice is also considered a crystal, so when you push two crystals together with force, one of them gives way.”
People may chew ice out of boredom, hunger, or stress, to quit smoking, to satisfy pregnancy cravings, or simply because they like the sound of the crunch. They may not even realize they are doing it, especially in the summer.
Compulsive ice consumption is called pagophagia, which has long been linked to iron deficiency anemia. It’s unclear how many people suffer from the condition — one newspaper article called it “a common but rarely reported form of pica,” a psychological disorder in which people frequently swallow non-food items.
Some people have revealed their ice-chewing habit on social media. A Reddit community called Ice Chewers Anonymous has 8,400 members who share how they get the “perfect ice cream.”
Whatever the reason, dentists want you to stop chewing ice. Some have even taken to TikTok to show in gruesome detail what can happen if you continue the habit.
Chewing hard substances can lead to dental microfractures, Dr. Gretchen Yarborough warned in a public service announcement last year.
“These microfractures will propagate with clenching, grinding and time,” the South Carolina dentist explained. “Fractured a tooth is extremely painful and treatment consists of extraction, bone grafting and implant placement. »
This is just the tip of the iceberg.
Dr. Natalie Peterson, a doctor of dental surgery at the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry, told USA Today that the cold from the ice could cause problems for fillings and crowns because they “can have different rates of expansion and contraction due to temperature changes.” compared to your natural tooth.
For those hesitant to quit smoking, experts recommend letting ice melt on your tongue instead of snacking on it or forgoing ice in drinks altogether to avoid temptation.
Slushes or snow cones are much gentler on the teeth. Those who still crave crunch can consider switching to baby carrots or apple slices.
News Source : nypost.com
Gn Health
