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.