Have flavored sparkling ice! Many amongst us love it as it has evolved overtime with flair. It elevates our taste and takes our beverages to another level. Pick the fruit you want, freeze it with water and toss the ice in your glass. Sip it gently to feel the cool fruity freshness.
The only animal species on Earth that does not eat food which it can find or catch is the Homo sapiens or the human race. Our decisions to visit fine dining places are not always based on hunger. We want a gastronomic experience. Evolution and mental capacities have allowed us to blend, process and cook food. It is the art of gastronomy. This ingenuity has led us to develop flavored sparkling ice.
People worldwide have their own choices. Americans prefer iced drinks and chilled sodas while Europeans prefer room-temperature beverages. As the temperatures soar, we exchange our hot coffees with chilled sparkling water. Staying hydrated is beneficial for all ages and our overall health and well-being.
Nothing seems better than our flavored sparkling water, ornately decorated. Flavored ice is available with edible glitter and stripes. Mint, pomegranate, lemon, and melon balls are some additions. Small machines to make these nugget ice cubes are available. Consuming these is a matter of concern for oral health. Let us explore.
Oral Cryotherapy
Worldwide, cancer affects seven million people, with an annual mortality of five million cases. The leading cause of death is lung cancer (17.8%), Stomach (10.8%) and liver (10.4%)
Their management requires radiation, surgery and chemotherapy. Chemotherapy is a treatment which most cancer patients receive to reduce tumor sizes pre and post-operatively. Rapidly growing cells like epithelium, hair follicles and sperms experience damage due to chemotherapy-causing oral mucositis.
Oral cryotherapy is the application of ice cubes to the mouth. It requires the patient to suck on ice cubes before, during and after mucotoxic drug infusions. Ice constricts the blood vessels of oral membranes and decreases the exposure of oral mucosa to toxic agents. It is a simple, cheap and effective way to prevent stomatitis. Studies have revealed that flavored ice has side effects.
Pagophagia is the excessive consumption of ice or iced drinks. It is a novel manifestation of pica. (Pica is defined as a health condition when a person compulsively eats anything that is not food. It could be Earth, chalk or even ice.)
People compulsively chew:
Ice cubes of all dimensions.
Thinly shaped ice that is similar to snow or frost.
Crushed ice of any consistency.
People suffering from iron deficiency anemia have pale skin. They experience tiredness and increased heartbeat.
These individuals have deficient calcium in the body and also the vitamin D levels in the body.
Xerostomia, dry mouth causes stickiness of the mouth, making it raw and caries prone. Keeping yourself hydrated with icy water is an easy solution.
These individuals who crunch ice often suffer from depression.
One of the common injuries encountered in the younger population is dental trauma. Unsurprisingly, younger boys experience trauma more than girls. The most common outcome of these injuries is fractured teeth.
Enamel is the toughest structure of the body. It is made up of mineral hydroxyapatite, a crystalline calcium phosphate. Large quantities of minerals in enamel account for its strength and brittleness. The mechanical properties of enamel provide it resilience to withstand masticatory forces up to 770N within harsh oral environments. It also faces extremes of pH variations and temperature fluctuations.
MedBound Times reached out to Dr. Ruchi Rathi Gupta, Endodontist for her insights on chewing ice.
As an endodontist, I often see tooth injuries from chewing ice. Ice is extremely hard and chewing on it leads to excessive pressure on the teeth. This can crack the outer white layer of tooth (enamel) and lead to fractures, sometimes requiring root canal treatment - if the pulp is damaged. It is especially risky for those with fillings or crowns, as ice can damage or loosen them. Avoiding this habit can help prevent serious dental issues.Dr. Ruchi Rathi Gupta, Endodontist
Let us understand what Dr. Ruchi Rathi Gupta, Endodontist emphasizes upon.
Ellis classifies tooth fractures on the extent of damage as
Class 1. A simple fracture of the crown with little or no dentine involvement.
Class 2. Fracture of the crown with considerable dentin involvement but not pulp.
Class 3. Extensive fracture of the crown involving dentine and exposing the dental pulp.
Class 4. The tooth injured becomes non-vital with or without loss of crown.
Class 5. The tooth is lost due to trauma.
Class 6. Fractured root with or without loss of crown structure.
Class 7. A displaced tooth without fracture of crown or root.
Class 8. Fracture of tooth en masse.
Class 9 Traumatic injury to primary dentition.
When subjected to massive forces, the risks involved are
Chewing ice can cause small cracks in enamel. These cracks tend to get deeper over time and lead to fractures. If your tooth suffers a longitudinal split instantly involving the pulp, it may need an extraction. If it is horizontal, restoration or root canal treatment may suffice.
A damage to the insulating layer of enamel exposes the pulp and the nerves and blood vessels to the harsh oral environment. This causes sensitivity to the tooth. Chipped enamel is restored with available restorative materials.
Small cracks that develop in the enamel are a haven for bacteria. They house caries-producing bacteria, providing them with food and shelter.
The entire process of repeating a crown restoration begins with its discomforts. An emergency visit to a dentist is warranted irrespective of the injury. Hefty bills are another issue.
When the insulating layer of enamel is damaged or thinned, the nerves get exposed to the oral cavity, causing sensitivity.
Alternatives to chewing ice.
Skip the temptation.
Melt the ice.
Switch to slushes to drink.
Treat the underlying cause.
Chewing flavored sparkling ice can be harmful to teeth due to several reasons. The hardness of ice causes irreparable damage. Over time, this habit makes teeth vulnerable to decay and other dental issues. Therefore, it is advisable to avoid chewing ice to protect oral health and maintain the integrity of our teeth.
Chewing ice may seem like a harmless habit though it can have serious consequences. From chipped to cracked teeth, the risk outweighs the temporary refreshment it provides.
One should always be mindful of what they put into their mouths and opt for safer alternatives to satisfy cravings that can protect our teeth and prevent costly dental issues down the road. Remember, your smile is worth more than a moment of icy satisfaction.
1. RDH, Whitney DiFoggio, MA. “Craving & Eating Ice? Pagophagia Explained.” Teeth Talk Girl, May 2, 2024. https://www.teethtalkgirl.com/dental-health/pagophagia-explained.
2. “How Does Anemia Affect Your Dental Health? | Dr. Ronald F. Jacob, DMD Palm Coast, FL.” Accessed September 28, 2024. https://www.rjacobdmd.com/blog/how-does-anemia-affect-your-dental-health/.
3. https://www.indianjournals.com/ijor.aspx?target=ijor:ijone&volume=3&issue=2&article=012
4. Chew on this: Ice crunching and your teeth. Accessed November 2, 2024. https://www.colgate.com/en-us/oral-health/adult-oral-care/chewing-ice.