TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – Chew ice Cube including bad behavior that can damage teeth, including the white color. Dental hygienists say every time you chew ice, you run the risk of breaking or weakening the hard enamel or protective coating that protects the delicate interior of your teeth.
“If the enamel is damaged, tooth and all oral hygiene, including the gums, will be vulnerable and even prone to more bacterial infections and diseases, “said Shahrooz Yazdani of Yazdani Family Dentistry, as quoted from Insider.
The American Dental Association explains that when you force two very hard surfaces together, one of them breaks. Most of the time it is broken ice but sometimes it is the teeth that bear the brunt of the damage. Apart from weakening tooth enamel, there is always the possibility of a tooth breaking, according to John Grbic, professor of dentistry at Columbia University Medical Center.
Not to mention there is a risk of getting damaged gums. Chewing ice can also put pressure on the gums, causing them to recession. Gum recession occurs when gum tissue is eroded as a result of gum disease or traumatic injuries, such as prolonged injury, and genetic problems.
When this condition occurs, the root of the tooth opens. This part of the tooth is more sensitive, so if you have gum recession, your teeth may become more sensitive and make eating cold and hot foods uncomfortable.
Are there healthy alternatives? If you want a cold sensation, Grbic recommends letting the ice melt in your mouth instead of chewing it. Unfortunately, if you want a crunch, candy is a bad idea instead of ice.
Experts recommend shaved ice which is much softer. Although chewing ice in any capacity can be harmful to teeth, crushed ice can minimize damage compared to larger cubes.
Some researchers have linked the urge to chew ice with iron deficiency anemia, a condition that can cause unusual fatigue. The theory holds that compulsively chewing ice makes people who are deficient in iron more alert and awake, but more research is needed on this.
In some cases, chewing ice can also be associated with compulsive behavior, which is a strong urge to engage in activities that interfere with daily life, nervousness, stress, or emotional distress. You may need to consult an expert mental health about this condition called pika.
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