On a warm day we all love to have a cup of rich drink with it ice. Some can’t wait for the cubes to melt, then chew them ice with the teeth.

At first, this procedure seems harmless, but – according to experts – it may have consequences for dental health. Here we tell you everything we know about it.

Why do we love chewing ice?

Most people, on hot days, like to have a drink with them ice. A small group of people also enjoy chewing ice accompany your drink.

While it can be a noisy activity, upsetting some of the people we live with, it can also be relaxing, especially for those with dry mouth.

Along the same lines, it can help relieve Stress And in some cases, it can even be a factor in helping you unwind after a busy day.

In the diet, it is often used as a substitute for chewing gum and chewing gum ice It helps satisfy food cravings, as it can mimic the sensation of eating without taking in calories.

Danger to teeth

According to the doctor Matthew Cook, University of Pittsburgh Academic, Chew ice It is a habit that can be very harmful to oral health, and mainly affects our teeth.

chewing ice It can cause cracks in the enamel of our teeth, which increases the sensitivity of the teeth to hot and cold foods and drinks.

Because of tooth sensitivity, we will feel the sensation of cold – even pain – when we eat or drink something cold.

Also, if a tooth breaks from chewing iceIt is very likely that a cavity will occur in that tooth.

It is also dangerous for fillings

In addition to the risks of healthy teeth, they are also dangerous for teeth with pre-existing problems.

For example, if you have fillings, crowns or veneers, wear braces, or have dental implants, chew ice It is especially dangerous for your teeth.

solidly iceIt is very likely that you may have problems with fillings, crowns and implants, and damaging them means a visit to the dentist.

How do you stop?

While Dr. Cook points out that chewing in some cases ice It could be the result of iron deficiency, a condition called pagophagia, and in most cases it’s just a bad habit.

As an alternative, it is suggested to keep it in a bucket ice in the mouth and let it dissolve without chewing; Replace the cubes ice with types ice softness, like ice scrape and gnaw raw carrots or sliced ​​apples to imitate a crunchy mouth taste; Or, eventually, get rid of the habit entirely.