Why do People Chew Ice?
People who chew ice may have a disorder called pica. This is a condition where a person craves things that are not food. The specific medical term for the compulsive urge to chew ice is pagophagia. Chewing ice is often a sign of iron deficiency. Health care experts are not sure why some people crave ice if they are iron deficient. However, iron deficiencies can cause oral inflammation, which can be soothed by chewing ice.
People may also chew ice in order to alleviate dry mouth, stress or quit smoking. Additionally, many people chew ice instead of eating food so that they can lose weight.
Is Chewing ice Bad?
There are a lot of things that are being said about chewing ice that are not true. For example, many people have been told that ice can damage the intestinal tract and increase the risk of stomach cancer. However, there is no truth to this.
Chewing ice may not necessarily cause any harm to your health, but it can harm your teeth. Ice chewing can lead to damaged and cracked teeth. You may also loosen fillings by chewing ice. Additionally, chewing ice can cause jaw soreness.
What to do if you Chew Ice
If you frequently chew ice, then it is best to see a doctor in order to ensure that you are not anemic. A doctor can also rule out other health conditions that may cause you to crave ice. You should also see a dentist in order to ensure that you are not damaging your teeth.
Quitting the Habit
If you like to chew ice, then you may want to switch to unsweetened popsicles or chewing gum. You can also switch to slush drinks because they will cause less damage to your teeth than ice will. If you still get the urge to chew ice, then it is better to chew crushed ice instead of cubed ice.
If You Think Chewing Ice had Affected Your Teeth and Dental Health and are in Scottsdale or Downtown Phoenix call our Cosmetic Dentist office at (480) 860-0092
