Month: October 2020

This question might baffle a lot of people. While it is completely okay to indulge yourself in an ice cube to beat the summer’s heat once in a while, the problem arises when it becomes a regular action. In the case of some people, eating ice could turn into an addiction that could bring a lot of harm to their oral health. Having a couple of ice cubes in your drink isn’t a cause to worry about, but if your body has started craving ice, you might need to get a little serious about this condition. The compulsive need to eat ice could stem from an eating disorder called Pica or could be a result of emotional issues. It is also commonly seen in the case of iron deficiency.
Some of the harmful effects of munching ice cubes frequently are:

Damaging the enamel
As you may already be aware, the enamel is the outer protective layer of your teeth. This hardened layer cannot be replaced once damaged. Eating ice cubes is known to negatively impact the enamel. This causes your tooth to weaken and puts you at the risk of developing several dental problems.

Lead to gum infection
If you consume any piece of ice that is sharp, it could damage your soft gum, leading to a severe gum infection. Your tissues are quite delicate and need to be cared for properly. Therefore, you should immediately seek help if you crave ice cubes in order to save your teeth and gums.

Causes sensitivity
It is a common observation that regularly chewing ice cubes results in sensitivity. If someone already has sensitive teeth, ice could worsen the situation. By constantly exposing your teeth to ice, you are risking their health and causing more severe problems for you in the future.

Cracked tooth
Ice cubes could also lead to cracked or chipped teeth since it weakens the teeth. Fragile teeth are more at risk of breaking. When you chew a hard substance like ice frequently, you put undue pressure on your teeth which causes them to weaken.

Painful with braces
When you already have orthodontic wear, chewing ice could be even more harmful. It could add to the pain and discomfort that people with braces have to bear already.

One’s desire to eat ice could also point towards a condition like anaemia. Some people also believe that eating ice is an effective way of overcoming stress and reducing inflammation. But you should not let this become a habit. Since this is an illness that causes adverse effects on your overall health, it is important that you seek proper treatment from a medical professional for it. Find out what is causing this craving. Is the issue related to your emotional well-being or due to the deficiency of certain nutrients? Get in touch with your dentist if your habit of eating ice has started impacting your dental health. They can provide the right care to prevent your teeth from any further damage.

Book Appointment to find out which treatment might be best for you.

If we’re completely honest, most of us rely on coffee to get us through the 9 AM meetings or the dreadful exam. But “Do you drink a lot of coffee” is your dentist’s most frequent question for a reason. Several studies have now shown that the daily cup of your favourite coffee could be putting your dental health at risk. It increases the chances of cavities and discolouration of the teeth. It can also lead to bad breath if it is sugary because the bacteria get a chance to accumulate in your mouth.
The tannin present in coffee is the main culprit behind this. It leads to the breakdown of the outer protective layer of the teeth called enamel. As it becomes thinner, the lower dentin layer, which is yellow in colour starts becoming visible, making you appear unattractive. The enamel is an extremely vital layer and cannot be restored once damaged. Therefore, it is essential that you care for it and prevent any harm to this hardened layer.
The best way to deal with this is to reduce your coffee consumption. But if that sounds like too big a challenge, here’s how you can keep drinking your coffee without causing any major harm to your oral health:

• The first thing to stop doing is carrying around your coffee and drinking it throughout the day. It is better to have it all in one go as it reduces the number of bacteria that gets build up in your mouth.
• Try to prevent contact between the drink and your teeth. Use a straw as it will not allow coffee to stay in contact with your teeth.
• Brush your teeth sometime after you have your coffee. This will remove any residual liquid from your teeth and help you stay free of any coffee stains. Wait for almost thirty minutes before brushing your teeth.
• Drink enough water throughout the day.
• The fibre present in raw vegetables and fruits can also help in retaining the sparkling white colour of your teeth. Have celery, strawberries and lemon to improve your oral health.
• If the situation of your teeth is already too bad, try using a whitening product. This should only be done after consulting a medical expert.
• Use a tongue scraper to avoid bad breath and adopt a good dental hygiene routine to keep your teeth healthy.
• Stay away from any creamers or sugary beverages. The sugary your coffee is the faster will the buildup of bacteria in your mouth be.

If you see any discolouration or coffee stains on your teeth, immediately book an appointment with your dentist. They can also suggest various whitening treatments that can help you get your sparkling teeth back. Timely intervention can also prevent any major decay to your teeth or gums. You might experience some discomfort after undergoing a whitening treatment. But these symptoms are short-lived, and your teeth can stay white for weeks to come.

Book Appointment to find out which treatment might be best for you.