“A habit is a shirt made up of iron”, it’s hard to take it off. A common bad habit is chewing on ice.   If you often find yourself chewing ice, you can rest easy that you are not alone.  Some people do it compulsively when enjoying a drink, while others may crave it.  In more extreme circumstances, it can be linked to iron deficiency anemia.

“If you are in the habit of chewing ice you should waste no time in speaking to a dentist as it may be due to iron deficiency anemia,” said Dr. Roach a dentist in Roanoke VA. Whatever the reason for the habit, most dentists agree that chewing on ice is dangerous and can lead to serious consequences. Chewing ice may be fun but it can be very risky and is not worth it. In this article we’ll discuss where ice chewing comes from, its risks, and potential solutions.

Why Do People Crave To Chew On Ice?

Iron deficiency often leads to inflammation in the muscles. People suffering from iron deficiency might have inflamed gums and chewing on ice may help with the inflammation.  Studies have also linked ice eating in people with anemia to increased brain function.  Whatever the reason, anemia is linked to excessive ice eating.

According to a study, the craving to chew on ice is the same as a cup of coffee for a caffeine addict. Both are hard to stop, and yet both can lead to catastrophic consequences.

How Is Chewing Ice Bad For Teeth?

Ice cubes are rigid and do not break easily. Applying too much pressure can cause your teeth to break or chip. The risk increases if you have a crown as they can chip even more easily.

Moreover, constant chewing on ice numbs the nerves in the mouth and you don’t feel the pain. Therefore, you may continue to chew on ice without feeling much pain, thus worsening the situation.

If you munch on ice for too long you may face the following consequences:

• Tooth Enamel Damage:

  While our tooth enamel is one of the hardest tissues in the body, it is not invincible. A cold object such as ice can numb and weaken it. Since it acts as a protective coating for our teeth against cracks and fractures, once it is weakened, our teeth become more prone to damage.

• Cracking/Chipping Of Tooth:

  A weakened enamel increases your risk for cavities, infections, and dental diseases. The risk of cracks and serious physical damage also goes up, including the risk of losing a tooth completely.

• Previous Dental Treatments Are Wasted (Crowns and Fillings):

  Chewing ice can damage crowns and fillings as well.

• Gum Injuries:

  Ice can be bad for the gums. The sharp edge of the cube might tear the gum and cause an injury. The same can happen with the tongue.

How To Get Rid Of an Ice Chewing Habit?

“You should visit a dentist if you are in the habit of chewing on ice,” suggests Dr. May Yeap of Signature Dental in Frisco, TX. “You should visit a dentist even if the habit hasn’t caused you any dental trouble,” she continues.

Not many patients understand this, but the problem can be solved with the right supplements.  Restoring the level of iron in your blood to a healthy state is a common problem with a simple solution. You can also use tricks such as turning to unsweetened popsicles to satisfy and reduce your chewing craving over time.

It may be a while before you completely get rid of the habit but being patient and persistent will give you good results.

Invisalign clear braces do the same exact thing as regular metal braces. They correct dental problems such as crooked teeth, overbites, and underbites. However, they do it with one very big difference – they’re nearly invisibile!

They work just like regular braces, but are much more comfortable and easy to wear, giving you a one-of-a-kind dental braces experience.

This is why most people who are considering braces prefer Invisalign over other options.

Tired of your crooked or misaligned teeth? Keep reading to see if you’re a good candidate for the treatment.

You Want to Regain Confidence by Correcting the Structure of Your Teeth

Misaligned teeth can bring down your confidence, preventing you being yourself around friends, family, or coworkers. It can also cause eating problems.

Many people shy away from smiling openly due to their misaligned teeth. With Invisalign, though, you can begin to regain your confidence as your teeth straighten without anyone noticing you’re even wearing braces.

Invisalign works the teeth that require straightening. Depending on the state of misalignment, it can take anywhere between 6- 8 months to complete your Invisalign treatment.

You Are Looking for Comfortable Braces

Unlike metal braces, Invisalign isn’t itchy or painful to wear. These invisible aligners can be removed and placed back in as you deem necessary. This makes it easier to brush and floss your teeth, as you can take the aligner out to ensure you clean all areas of your mouth. And then simply put the aligner back in place when you’re done.

You’ll also find comfort when eating, as food can’t get stuck in metal braces or caught in rubber bands when chewing. You can still eat the same foods you love without any hassle.

You Fear Pain

Many people don’t go to the dentist because they are afraid of possible dental pain. And the same goes for getting braces. Metal braces can be a lot of trouble. They are not only painful to install but can cause rashes and cuts inside the mouth making it difficult to eat and speak. This is a major reason why some people never get braces. However, this problem is solved with Invisalign.

The process of getting Invisalign is very easy and painless. It requires visiting a dentist and getting a dental impression of your teeth to determine a treatment plan.

The dentist then takes 3D pictures of your jaw to prepare a customized Invisalign aligner that fits your jaw perfectly.

In about 2 weeks or less, the clear aligners are prepared and can be worn without any trouble. They are so comfortable you won’t feel anything inside your mouth and might even forget you’re wearing them!

You Don’t Want to Attend the Dentist Very Often

Unlike metal braces, Invisalign does not require regular dental visits. You’ll only visit the dentist to get new aligners every 6 weeks or so.

You Don’t Want to Wear Braces in Public

The biggest advantage of Invisalign is that they are pretty much invisible and hard to notice if you don’t know they are there. Metal braces are clearly visible, which is one of the main reasons why adults and teens don’t want them.

When wearing these clear braces in public, friends, family, and coworkers won’t be able to see the aligners or tell that you’re wearing any form of braces.

So Am I The Right Fit?

If you identify with the points above, then you’re probably a good candidate for Invisalign clear braces. However, Dr. Jeff D. Baggett, a dentist providing Invisalign in Edmond, OK, says that you cannot be sure unless you visit a dentist.

He states, “While Invisalign is great, they may not be able to treat very complex dental issues. You must visit a dentist to see if you really are a fit or not, and if you are not then you can always turn to other options.”