Can Chewing Ice Damage Your Teeth?

Bad dental habits like chewing ice are very common. But it may not be as harmless as you think. Chewing on ice could actually damage your teeth. And in some cases, having the craving to chew ice may be a sign of an underlying medical condition.

Let’s take a closer look at why you may be craving ice in the first place and what chewing ice really does to your teeth.  

Why is chewing ice bad for your teeth?

Teeth are made of many layers including enamel and dentin. Enamel is the outermost protective layer. This layer has two main components that bond together to form tiny crystals, making it the hardest substance in your entire body. But like any other hard substance, enamel does have its breaking point. 

Chewing on ice is something that gets enamel to its breaking point. Small fracture lines start to form over time causing you to have cracked tooth syndrome. This can lead to increased tooth sensitivity to cold and hot food or drinks. Pain while biting can also be a feature of a cracked tooth. 

What are the risks of chewing on ice?

Chewing on ice consistently can wear your teeth down and lead to major damage. Some of the more common risks of chewing on ice include:

• Damaged tooth structure: The hard structure of ice will cause small cracks to form in the enamel layer. These cracks tend to get deeper over time and can turn into fractures.

• Thinned enamel: Chewing ice can strip layers of tooth enamel away, causing it to thin. Enamel acts largely as an insulating barrier for the pulp, which houses the nerves of the tooth. Damage to this layer can increase tooth sensitivity.

• Tooth decay and cavities: Small cracks in the tooth from ice chewing exposes underlayers of the tooth to bad bacteria. These deeper layers are more susceptible to cavities.

• Damage to existing fillings, crowns, and veneers: Chewing ice also comes with the risk of further damaging existing dental work. Cracks in your teeth may cause fillings, crowns, or even veneers to come loose. 

Can you repair your teeth from damage done by chewing on ice?

The good news is that your teeth can usually be fixed from damage done by ice chewing. The types of dental treatment needed will vary, depending on the extent of the damage. It’s always important to remember that visiting a dentist sooner than later can help prevent significant and costly repairs. Here are several possible treatments to repair a tooth damaged by chewing ice.

Fillings

If there are small cracks or chips on the outside layer of a tooth, your dentist may choose to repair it with a simple filling. Sometimes, an existing filling is the location of the damage. In that case, the broken filling will have to be fully replaced. 

This type of damage may not have any obvious pain or sensitivity. But consistent dental visits every 6 months will allow your dentist to notice these small damages.

Porcelain crowns

Sometimes, the cracks extend down multiple surfaces of your tooth, causing it to significantly weaken. This type of tooth damage can cause sporadic biting pain. More constant shooting pain can develop and may be a sign that any cracks on your tooth are getting worse.

In this case, your dentist may decide to treat your tooth with a dental crown. This procedure eliminates the surface level cracks and restores your tooth to its full function and appearance. 

Root canal therapy

In serious cases where chewing ice has caused tooth damage, a tooth fracture may extend into the nerve of your tooth. This usually comes along with significant tooth pain. A procedure called “root canal therapy” can help to eliminate pain and replace your affected nerve. 

In most cases, a dental crown is then made to seal your tooth from further bacterial invasion. Some teeth, including a few of your front teeth, may only need a permanent filling after root canal therapy. 

Why do you crave ice?

If you consistently have the craving to chew on ice, you may have pagophagia. This is a specific subtype of a disorder called pica — the urge to chew on substances that have no nutritional value. Pagophagia is usually caused by a nutritional deficiency, but not always. 

Some of the most common reasons you may have the constant urge to chew on ice include:

• Iron deficiency anemia

• Eating disorders

• Dry mouth

Are there safe alternatives to chewing on ice?

Chewing on ice is a habit that can seem impossible to stop. But there are some alternatives that may be safer for your teeth. A few tips and tricks to help you shake this bad habit and limit the tooth damage from chewing ice are: 

• Seek out crunchy food options. Finding foods that are crunchy could help prevent damage to your teeth, reverse nutritional deficiencies, and moisten the mouth. Crunchy foods high in iron include raw broccoli, nuts, and cucumber slices.

• Let the ice melt. If you have a dry mouth, holding the ice in your mouth and letting it melt rather than chewing it, can help. This will also prevent tooth damage from the wear and tear of your enamel layer.

If you find yourself still chewing on ice, you may need help to get down to the root cause of the problem. Talk with your dentist or primary care provider. They can figure out if an underlying medical problem is causing you to chew on ice and how to treat it. 

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Written by:

Zack Youngblood, DMD

Zack Youngblood, DMD, is a dentist who strives to change the general look of dentistry. Before stepping foot in the clinical field, he authored multiple works that helped dental students and dentists find their unique path in dentistry.

Edited by:

Karla Robinson, MD

Karla Robinson, MD, is a medical editor for GoodRx. She is a licensed, board-certified family physician with almost 20 years of experience in health through varied clinical, administrative, and educational roles.

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