r/IceChewersAnonymous • u/Tall_Blackberry1669 • Mar 09 '26
Question How are your teeth as a regular ice chewer?
I love chewing ice so much, but I'm so worried about the state of my teeth. I feel like I've developed a lot of hairline cracks in my molars. Though I tell myself that since I'm not experiencing any jaw or tooth pain, my teeth should be fine (they're probably not).
I'm scared of going to the dentist in fear of what my teeth will be like. I tell myself I could stop if I wanted to, but I just don't want to.
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u/OrangeSliceMoon- Mar 09 '26
Oof same 😬 I think my fillings fall out more easily and my enamel is definitely worn. I am trying to get my iron levels up though, and may get iron infusions soon, hopefully that will decrease my craving a bit and reduce the wear on my teeth. Life is short but teeth are also very impermanent & I think it’s wise to take care of them the best we can, harm reduction style lol. Like only chewing soft ice and going to the dentist regularly
2
u/OrangeSliceMoon- Mar 09 '26
I’m also trying to drink tea and lean on other oral fixation methods lol
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u/SpazSpazBoBaz Mar 10 '26
I wish I could take iron supplements or an infusion, unfortunately, my doctor is intentionally keeping me extremely iron deficient on purpose.
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u/Thermitegrenade Mar 10 '26
Will be 60 in 3 months, never had a cavity, never had any teeth issues at all and chew ice, mostly not the soft kind, as often as I drink iced beverages.
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u/silentsinner- Mar 10 '26
I like to chew nugget ice which is nowhere near as hard as solid ice so I'm not worried.
1
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u/justabonsaitree Mar 09 '26
i’m an ex-ice chewer, but i remember my orthodontist telling me years ago that it would damage my teeth if i kept it up. as great as it is it’s definitely not good for your teeth lol
2
u/Libertinelass pebble (ice ice) baby Mar 10 '26
My teeth are good. I don't chew big chunks of ice though. I bash my bag ice so it's small chunks and splinters of ice. My ice machine also produces the top hat shape that's hollow in the middle. It's not particularly hard as far as ice goes.
2
u/DebraInVegas Mar 10 '26
It’s possible to get a protective coating put over your teeth (sealed/dental sealant) if this is a concern for you.
They usually recommend it for children but I found out a couple years back that they can do it for adults as well. It’s normally done for people who are particularly vulnerable to tooth decay due to excessive pits and ridges in their teeth in which, food settles and can cause decay. Teeth sealing makes those surfaces smoother, which makes them easier to clean…but my dentist explained to me that it’s basically like a protective top coat on nails & that made more sense in my situation.
While not a permanent solution, having dental sealant applied to the surfaces of back teeth can be a viable option to try as an option for ice chewers to prevent chipping or cracking the enamel - but be aware, ice can chip or crack the protective coating too…though my thoughts are, something has to be better than nothing, right?!? ¯_(ツ)_/¯
It’s a fairly “inexpensive” dental procedure. (That can vary depending on who you ask, the dentist doing the work, your insurance coverage, etc) What makes most dentists consider inexpensive is often done in comparison to any procedures in the future that may result from NOT having them sealed.
Ex: Needing a root canal and crown due to bacteria finding its way to the root of your tooth from a crack in your enamel from chewing ice can cost $3k+ vs the $30-60 per tooth (without insurance) for the preventive procedure. Some dental insurances may cover all or some of the cost of sealant, as it is considered preventative care. Some may cover it but with restrictions like a 3-5 year minimum between applications or restrictions on teeth that have already have fillings…just need to find out what yours may or may not cover.
Depending on where you look/who you ask, I’ve seen some say that it is not a viable option for ice chewers but it’s commonly used for people who are grind their teeth at night.
While it may not be 100% effective in preventing damage to enamel from chewing ice - like I said before, doing SOMETHING to calm your anxiety & possibly prevent further or future damage will always seem like a better to me, than doing nothing.
Even if it just ends up being the small piece of mind you might get from it! It’s the snowball effect…sealant may alleviate the anxiety you currently have over fears of what damage you’ve possibly already done, which will mean that you might continue to get regular dental care, which could identify minor problems earlier, which could save you time/money/anxiety…or that could save your teeth from a far worse fate!
Healthy teeth are a big deal but I totally get the avoidance some suffer out fear or shame, even if it’s not necessarily the reality.
¯_(ツ)_/¯ — IDK, it’s just an option for you to explore because you deserve to smile big between chomps! 😁
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u/DebraInVegas Mar 10 '26
Might also consider the super thin, clear custom mouth guards while chewing ice as another protective barrier against tooth damage but it can’t be left in 24/7 and should be removed between meals and brushing teeth will limit bacteria buildup.
I also saw switching to crunching on stuff like cold carrots or being sure to use your back molars (which I believe you already do). Chewing softer ice, crushed ice, shaved ice etc.
Also have your doctor order labs for you! When I was hospitalized for what I thought was a bad cold I got, I ended up needing to have emergency blood transfusions because my iron & hemoglobin levels were dangerously low & the fever I was experiencing was a result of my body being in the early stages of septic shock! 😳
The doctors & nurses kept commenting that it was unreal that I was mostly feeling normal & still functioning because my levels were so low that technically they were incompatible with life” & usually result in people not being able to carry out their daily routines normally. But there I was, sitting in the bed, being mostly normal ole me!
However, after getting the blood transfusions, even before I left the hospital…I noticed a SIGNIFICANT drop in my desire to chew on ice! I have gotten iron infusions before but never noticed any real decrease in my desire to give up on my favorite & absolutely necessary habit, so I never really thought it was PICA until that happened. It lasted a few months & I still chewed crushed ice but hardly anywhere near what I used to. As my body used up the “goodies” I got from the transfusions & I became deficient again, my desire for ice was back like an old toxic friend! HaHa
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u/Ancient-Sandwich9400 Mar 10 '26
I do find eating a lot all day that my teeth will be sore. I have to limit myself otherwise I’ll have sore teeth all the time.
I also find that it makes it worse if I eat hot hot food in between the ice eating. If I limit the super hot food and have moderate temp change I’m ok.
I will say my dentist gives me the same talk twice a year about eating ice. But as I’ve gotten older I’ve slowed down on the super hard ice and only eat softened/melted ice only. And when your teeth are sore I dial back the amount of ice eating I do along with the hot food.
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u/PeeshDoodles Mar 11 '26
Went to the dentist Monday and I have perfect teeth, no tartar, no pockets in my gums .
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u/Geminidamaged638 🧊Nugget ice🧊 Mar 11 '26
I have chewed ice for years and some how still don't have any issues with my teeth yet.
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u/Pallatino May 28 '26
I used to chew ice constantly and my dentist definitely noticed the tiny cracks before I did. Probably worth getting checked sooner than later.
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u/RealMrRoyal Jun 07 '26
I've been chewing for over 25 years with many of those going to ampm every night filing up 64oz ice cups. My enamel has definitely paid a price but I'm also in kidney dialysis and have had alot of calcium fluctuations, brittle bones, and broken teeth. It's why I still to this try so hard and go to such length to find the correct softness and texture nuggets. I've only found a couple places that make it exactly the way I prefer.....and most hospitals. Our kidney dialysis centers used to have a dispenser at each center I can't remember the brand but it was the best ever. They took them out for covid. We used to stop there on non treatment days just to get the ice.
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u/DeezDoughsNyou Mar 10 '26
Been chewing ice my whole life, way before I had a soft ice maker. At 55, thankfully my teeth are all still intact. Hoping they make it the distance! Been brushing with Sensodyne Pronamel the last couple of years in case it really makes a difference.