Is Chewing Ice Bad for Your Teeth?

Chewing ice is a habit many people can not break. That crunchy texture and cool feeling makes chewing ice addictive. Many of us chew ice mindlessly without even realizing we are doing it. Unfortunately, chewing ice can damage our teeth, and can lead to further more complicated issues.

Why is Chewing Ice Bad for You?

Why is Chewing Ice Bad for You?

Cracks

Chewing ice can damage your tooth enamel. Our enamel is the hardest substance in the entire body, but ice can still cause damage. Our enamel protects our teeth from cavities and wards off acid and sugar. If you damage your teeth from chewing ice, your teeth can be more prone to tooth decay. Chewing or eating ice can also cause teeth microfractures which are tiny cracks in your teeth. Over time the cracks can become worse if you do not seek treatment, and more serious issues can develop. Patients should seek emergency treatment, and call our office right away if you think you may have a cracked tooth.

Oral Appliances

Ice chewing can also cause damage to oral appliances such as braces or retainers. The ice is so hard that patients risk cracking a bracket or damaging wires. This can result in an expensive trip to the orthodontist. Knowing what habits can cause harm is important, so you can avoid another visit to the dentist.

Fillings

If you chew ice and have fillings, your filling could become loose or cracked. If this happens you must visit our office for immediate repair. Cracked or loose fillings can cause damage and further decay if not treated promptly.

Our team at Smile Dental Lakeside provides our patients with information on what habits to avoid in order to keep your teeth and mouth healthy. We discuss good oral hygiene, and what patients should be doing at home to take care of their teeth. To avoid unnecessary trips to the dentist, patients should avoid chewing ice. 

Need to Schedule an Appointment?

If you are interested in scheduling an appointment, we encourage you to contact Smile Dental Lakeside. Our doctors provide the highest level of service in a comfortable and calm environment. Your oral health is our priority, and we treat all of our patients like family. Both of our locations have state-of-the-art technology and equipment, allowing our team to bring the very best procedures and services to our patients.

We have a new location in National City. Our Smile Dental National City office is conveniently located near the 805 freeway and is accepting new patients. 

To schedule your appointment contact Smile Dental Lakeside, and our friendly staff will be happy to assist you.

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CORONAVIRUS
HEALTH UPDATE

Due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, and based on guidance and recommendation from the CDC, Smile Dental Lakeside has decided to close the practice until further notice. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us directly. Thank you for your patience and understanding.