Chewing on Ice Cubes Could Leave Your Teeth Broken or Gums Lacerated

Posted on 6/21/2021 by Amy

Chewing on ice cubes might seem like a habit with no downsides, but it can actually cause a good amount of damage to your teeth and your gums. Some people start chewing on ice to deal with other cravings or bad habits, but that is just replacing one problem with another. Here are a few of the ways chewing on ice is bad for your oral health.

You Can Break Your Teeth

Any time you bite down on something hard, you run the risk of chipping or cracking your teeth. If your teeth are strong and healthy, this risk is greatly reduced. However, if you have cavities or poor oral hygiene, it is more likely that you will break a tooth by chewing on ice. All it takes is biting down with the ice in the wrong position or with too much force.

You may not even realize you have chipped or cracked a tooth at first, either. However, even if the break is minor and almost unnoticeable, the damage can become worse over time because your tooth is now weakened. On the other hand, it is possible to crack a tooth in half by biting down on an ice cube. You will feel this type of damage right away and might be in a large amount of pain. If this occurs, call us immediately to schedule an emergency appointment.

Ice Can Cut Your Gums

Another concern is that ice can cause lacerations on your gums. Ice often has sharp edges, especially if you chew on a cube until it breaks in half. These sharp edges can cut your gum, creating an opening in them for bacteria. Once bacteria get into the tissue, your gums may become infected and inflamed. This leads to gum disease, which can lead to many different oral health concerns. Avoid chewing on ice if you do not want to deal with gingivitis and other issues.

At Life Long Dental we provide care, whether or not you chew on ice. You may click the links to learn more about the services we offer!
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Dental Blog - Silverdale, WA • Life Long Dental
Dr. Gillespie has created this informative blog to help educate the community. Did you like a topic? Please contact us today! Life Long Dental is your dentist in Silverdale, WA.
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