Can Chewing Ice Really Damage Your Teeth? The Cold Truth
Many people consider ice-chewing a harmless habit, but as emergency dentists in Cardiff, we regularly treat serious dental damage caused by this frozen craving. Here’s why chewing ice risks cracks, fractures, and urgent dental visits.
How Ice Damages Teeth: The Science
1. Enamel Microfractures
Ice’s hardness (2.5 Mohs scale) rivals tooth enamel (5 Mohs). The repetitive pressure creates tiny cracks that grow into visible fractures needing emergency repair.
2. Thermal Shock
Sudden temperature changes make enamel expand and contract. This stress weakens teeth, especially if you have existing fillings that react differently to cold.
3. Gum Trauma
Sharp ice edges can cut gums, creating entry points for infection that may lead to dental abscesses requiring urgent care.
Emergency Signs After Chewing Ice
Visit our Cardiff emergency dental clinic immediately if you experience:
- Sudden, sharp pain when biting
- Visible cracks or tooth fragments
- New sensitivity to hot/cold lasting >30 seconds
- Bleeding from gums after ice contact
Real Cases We’ve Treated
Case 1: The Split Molar
A patient chewing ice cubes daily developed a vertical root fracture requiring emergency extraction and later dental implant.
Case 2: The Crown Catastrophe
Ice chewing popped off a dental crown, exposing the vulnerable tooth underneath to decay and needing same-day root canal treatment.
How to Quit Ice Chewing
- Switch to chilled water without ice cubes
- Use a straw to bypass teeth contact
- Chew sugar-free gum as an alternative
- Identify triggers (stress? boredom?) and address them
Ice-Related Dental Emergency?
Our Cardiff emergency dentists can repair damage 24/7 – don’t wait until it worsens.
Book Urgent Appointment
