Do you tend to chew on ice when it is hot out or while sipping on a soda at your favorite restaurant? You probably know that it isn’t good for your teeth, but do you really understand how your mouth might be affected? These are some of the most common problems you can expect.
Chipped Teeth
Picture this – you’re chewing on an ice cube and suddenly feel a pop in your mouth. You use your tongue to feel your tooth and notice the shape seems dramatically different. You’ve chipped a tooth, and if it happens to be one of your front teeth, your smile might be affected. Root canals, caps, and crowns might be required to correct the problem.
Damaged Enamel
The enamel is the hardest substance in your body, and it is made to protect the inner layers of your teeth. Still, it isn’t completely resistant to damage, especially when you place it under unnatural force. If you chew ice, you could damage the enamel, opening your tooth to a host of other dental health issues. When the enamel is damaged, bacteria can reach into the inner portions of your teeth and lead to cavities and decay.
Problems with Existing Dental Work
Dental work is a big investment, with crowns, fillings, caps, and bridges working to restore the function and appearance of your natural teeth. By chewing on ice, you could potentially undo all that work. Fillings could break, requiring a new filling and potentially even a root canal depending on the cause of the problem.
If you chew ice consistently, you may find that your crowns need to be replaced earlier than anticipated. Ultimately, chewing on ice could lead to some expensive dental repairs.
Has your ice chewing habit caused a problem in your mouth? If so, give our office a call today.