Will Chewing Ice Ruin My Child’s Teeth?

There is a common misbelief that primary teeth are not as important, and there is nothing farther from the truth. As parents, we must take our children to a kids’ dentist in St. Albert from the moment the first tooth erupts, to ensure they have proper oral health.

It is no surprise that most parents go through a struggle when they try to teach good oral hygiene habits to their children; however, insisting is the key to avoid oral diseases, and achieving a better quality of life.

Perks of Taking Care of Your Children’s Teeth

• The prevention of developing teeth decay.
• Avoid the risk of gum disease.
• Your kid will chew and bite without any discomfort.
• To have a pleasant visit to the dentist, as you will avoid undergoing complex procedures.
• You will save money on more serious dental procedures.
• To eliminate a child’s difficulty when they eat or chew.
• To save both money and time on more serious dental procedures.
• Your kid will develop good oral hygiene habits that he or she will likely keep when they grow older.

If you made it this far, now you know how important it can be to take proper care of your children’s teeth and to visit a kid's dentist near you every six months, or, if he or she has never had dental problems, once a year.

Now, let’s talk about one common habit that children have – eating ice.

Even though it may seem innocent, chewing ice can harm your children’s teeth. Remember that their first permanent tooth erupts around the sixth year of life, and, as the word permanent suggests, this set of teeth should be with us for good.

Chewing Ice Can Cause a Lot of Damage

Let’s discuss three different ways in which eating ice can be harmful:

1.   Chipped teeth

Even though the enamel is very strong and resilient, teeth are not made to bite ice. Eating ice can cause a chip or crack in the tooth, causing it to be more susceptible to develop tooth decay. If this happens, try to locate the tooth fragment and keep it in a sealed container with milk, and visit a dentist near you right away.

In the worst-case scenario, the crack can be so large that it is not possible to save the tooth.

2.   Damaged Oral Appliances

If you are undergoing orthodontic treatment and tend to chew ice, your brackets and wires can be damaged; so, if you want to avoid the unpleasant situation and the expensive trip to the dentist, don’t eat ice under any circumstances.

3.   Broken Dental Fillings

Studies have shown that most people have at least one dental filling in their mouths. Dental fillings protect your teeth from tooth decay, relieve pain, and improve your appearance; therefore, you must take care of them.

Chewing ice can cause a crack in your fillings and increase the risk of tooth decay and sensitivity.

Any bad dental habits can damage your teeth. Ice is just one of the hard objects you and your kids should avoid eating because they will make you more vulnerable to develop teeth decay. Remember that your permanent teeth should last for many decades, and these are the habits that seem innocent but can actually be quite harmful.

Try to make your children understand the serious consequences of not caring for their teeth, and how important it is to create good oral hygiene habits.

You may visit our dental clinic in St. Albert for further information. Our kids’ dentist is caring and skilled, and will help you keep your child’s smile as beautiful and healthy as ever.