Is chewing ice bad for you? Find out what the habit can do for your oral health

The sensation brings relief, but it is important to know its effects on gums and teeth

EINSTEIN AGENCY – The pleasant and refreshing sensation of chewing cubes of ice hides the risks for oral hygiene – especially when the behavior becomes routine. The thermal shock caused by contact with ice cream leads to loss of sensitivity of the gums and wear of the dental tissues. Due to the rigidity of the ice, chewing can also cause damage to the mucous membranes and even fractures of the teeth.

One of the points of attention, according to Luiz Evaristo Volpato, dental surgeon and professor at the University of Cuiabá, is that the person does not always realize that they are hurting themselves, since ice reduces the sensation of pain. Other symptoms are greater sensitivity to cold or hot foods and drinks, due to the weakening of the enamel (the material that covers the teeth) and the risk of tooth decay, due to greater vulnerability to the penetration of bacteria.

Those who use dental braces and prosthetics also need to be careful, according to the specialist. These items can come loose when they come into contact with ice or break when the practice becomes commonplace.

As treatment, the patient may need a resin filling or more invasive procedures, such as root canal surgery, which requires a long recovery time and can be painful, depending on the severity of the damage.

Risks with age

According to Volpato, damage to oral health varies with age. “Young people have a greater potential for involvement of the pulp of the teeth in the event of a fracture, since in them the pulp is more voluminous. In the elderly, the greater potential is sensitivity since they suffer more frequently from gingival recession”, explains the specialist.

Are there any advantages?

For people diagnosed with cancer and undergoing chemotherapy treatment, chewing ice may be helpful, according to the dentist. Since oncological treatment induces the appearance of painful lesions in the oral cavity, called mucositis, keeping it cold during sessions reduces the arrival of chemotherapy drugs on the mucosa.

«Ice causes constriction of the vessels and therefore reduces the toxicity of the oral tissues. This use should be discussed with the oncology team, which should also include the dentist”, explains Volpato.

Symptom of anemia

There are cases where the act of chewing ice may be more than a habit, but a symptom of anemia. According to the dentist, when there is a deficiency of nutritional iron, the patient presents symptoms of tiredness and shortness of breath because there is a weakening and lack of red blood cells in the blood and oxygen is not distributed properly to the cells.

By chewing ice, more blood is brought to the brain, which, as a result, receives more oxygen. This helps fight tiredness, making people more alert and aware. “If an individual has this habit, it is interesting to check whether he does not suffer from this nutritional deficiency,” warns the professor.

The practice may also be associated with eating disorders. Pagophagia, for example, is the compulsion to chew ice caused by stress, mania, and obsession. In patients with bulimia and anorexia, the habit may appear as a symptom, as it relieves hunger and mimics the feeling of satisfaction felt after a meal. In these cases, psychotherapeutic and nutritional treatment is indicated.

How to stop chewing ice?

Awareness of the damage caused by the habit associated with therapies is the most appropriate measure to prevent chewing ice from becoming a routine, according to Sérgio Kahn, dental surgeon. In the short term, however, patients can try replacing ice with other items, such as:

• Suck on candy to keep your mouth busy;
• Eating ice cream or popsicles;
• Eat a raw carrot or crunchy fruit, such as apples and pears, and crunchy foods such as granola and chestnuts;
• Seek psychological support.

*Under the supervision of journalist Amanda Milléo.

Source: Terra

Ben

Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.