Can’t Stop Chewing Ice? Doctors Warn It Could Be a Sign of a Hidden Health Problem
Chewing on ice can be a sign of underlying physical and mental health problems, and can even lead to serious dental problems.
When the bottom of a glass is filled with floating ice, it can be tempting and enjoyable to chew on the crunch, but chewing ice occasionally is very different from having a regular ice chewing habit.
Chewing ice can be a serious health hazard for your teeth, and doctors say it could also indicate physical and mental health issues. Here’s what health experts want you to consider when it comes to your ice-chewing habits, including why everyone should think twice before chomping at the bit.
Why do people chew ice?
There are many reasons for this. Sometimes you might chew on ice just because it’s there. But if you have a constant urge to chew on ice, it’s usually a sign that your body may be dealing with some sort of health issue.
The urge to chew ice could be a sign of health concerns you should pay attention to.
“Ice cravings are a form of pica, which is the ingestion of nonnutritive substances like dirt, flour or clay,” Dr. Sarah Boutwell, director of the George Washington University Department of General Medicine, told Yahoo Life. “When someone with pica has a hankering for ice. It’s called pagophagia,” according to Tegan Mansouri, director of the nutritional sciences program at the University at Buffalo.
Although it is unclear how many people have pagophagia, some reports suggest that the condition is common but rarely reported.
Ice cravings may be a sign of iron deficiency anemia, although Dr. Boutwell says the exact reason is not understood. “There seems to be a release of dopamine, a feel-good hormone, that makes people want to keep eating ice,” he says.
Ice chewing could be a compulsive or self-soothing behavior, added Thea Gallagher, a professor at NYU Langone Health. In addition, if ice is used as a substitute for energy, it could be a sign of an eating disorder.
“It’s important to understand what function or meaning ice chewing has for those who engage in this behavior,” Gallagher stressed.
The effects of chewing ice on teeth
While chewing ice may seem harmless, most dentists agree that it can seriously damage your teeth.
“Ice is a very hard material,” said Dr. Mark Wolf, dean of the University of Pennsylvania School of Dentistry, comparing chewing on ice to trying to bite down on a bone.
“Chewing on ice can cause small or large cracks in your teeth,” Wolf says. And if you have a filling, chewing on ice increases your risk of cracks even more.
In addition, chewing on ice can also damage the ทางเข้า UFABET สำหรับสมาชิกใหม่ สมัครวันนี้ รับโบนัสฟรี temporomandibular joint (TMJ). “Putting too much pressure on the chewing joint can cause pain and, in some cases, permanent damage,” Wolf says.
From a dental perspective, there is no “safe” way to chew ice. “Teeth are not tools,” Wolf cautions. “People should not use their teeth to open bottles or bags, break ice, or bite bones.”
How to tell if your ice chewing is harmful
Is Your Ice Chewing Habit Just a Few Things or Is It Taking Its Toll on Your Health? Here are Some Factors to Consider
“We should consider the frequency and severity, as well as how uncomfortable it feels when you can’t chew ice,” Gallagher says. If you find that chewing ice is interfering with your daily life, or you find yourself spending a lot of time wondering when you’ll be able to chew ice again, it may be a sign that you should see a professional.
Ice Chewing and Health Precautions
“Pica is usually diagnosed when a craving for non-food items, such as ice, lasts longer than a month,” Mansouri said. “But if your craving for ice is accompanied by other symptoms, such as fatigue, poor concentration, cold hands and feet, shortness of breath on exertion, or frequent headaches, you should see a doctor immediately.”
Butwell stresses that you don’t need to worry about chewing ice occasionally. “Sometimes chewing ice is normal and not a problem,” but if you chew ice every day, it could be something to be concerned about.
If you’re concerned about this behavior, Butwell recommends seeing your doctor for a blood test to see if you have an iron deficiency. If it’s a problem, it’s usually treated with oral or intravenous iron supplements.
*If ice chewing is psychological, Gallagher says cognitive behavioral therapy. Which focuses on changing thoughts and behaviors, may help. “It can help you find healthier coping strategies if the behavior is a result of stress.”
But if you’re confident you can control the behavior, most doctors agree it’s not a problem. “The occasional little ice chew is unlikely to cause any harm,” Wolf says.