Doing this can destroy tooth enamel over time, not just because ice is hard but because it’s cold. Our teeth are not designed to crunch against solid ice, and they are particularly not designed to chew through several trays of ice cubes a day. This feels good, and so they keep doing it even when it causes dental problems. What does iron have to do with ice? Well, researchers theorize that chewing ice sends more blood to the brain, temporarily improving alertness and clarity of thought. Without enough iron in the blood, the red blood cells can’t effectively do their job of carrying oxygen throughout the body. Studies have shown a correlation between compulsive ice eating and iron deficiency anemia, which is pretty common, with 20 percent of women, 50 percent of pregnant women, and 3 percent of men being iron deficient. Pica is often the result of a nutritional deficiency.
Getting cravings for ice can be a sign of an eating disorder called pica, which involves a compulsion to eat things with no nutritional value, such as ice, clay, hair, and dirt. This goes beyond a simple habit and enters the territory of a mental disorder. The scientific name for compulsive ice eating is pagophagia. Today we’re going to take a look at why ice chewing is such a common habit despite the dangers it poses, as well as what someone with this habit can do to stop. CHEWING ICE MIGHT SEEM refreshing in the moment, but it’s not doing any favors for your teeth in the long run.
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