While chewing on ice cubes may seem like a harmless activity, dental experts have warned that it can cause damage to the teeth. Chewing on ice requires significant force, which can impact the teeth and strain the jaw. Continuous chewing can complicate oral health further and may point to a deeper health issue.
Many people chew on ice cubes. Whether it is chewing leftover ice from a cold drink, or straight out of the bag to cool down, it may seem like a harmless activity.
However, dental experts have warned that chewing on ice can actually cause severe to your teeth. This is important for us all to be aware of.
While the occasional chewing of an ice cube won’t typically hurt, continuous or daily chewing can be harmful [1].
Background
Those that chew on ice cubes normally do so rarely. It may be done every now and then, and just as a spur of the moment decision, rather than something that is planned.
But some people crave chewing ice cubes. Those that have a compulsive consumption of ice may have a form of the mental health disorder Pica.
What damage can chewing ice do to our teeth?
Ice – despite essentially being water – is one of the hardest things that we bite into. Our teeth aren’t really designed for biting into such hard things.
Repeated pressure can result in a chip or fracture to the tooth’s enamel. Then, as enamel weakens, teeth can become more sensitive, resulting in a person struggling to consume hot or cold food and drinks [1].
Existing dental work, such as fillings, can become dislodged. This will cause pain and require a new filling to be put in place.
Chewing ice can also create small cracks in the teeth which overtime can build up into bigger cracks. Therefore, this would also require treatment.
The damage to our jaws
But the damage isn’t exclusive to teeth. Instead, our jaws can be damaged, which isn’t surprising given the strain chewing hard objects causes them.
Therefore, our jaw muscles can become strained. This can cause aching, and make eating and even talking become difficult.
Moreover, past research suggests that those who chew ice are likelier to have a temporomandibular joint disorder, which can be very debilitating [2].
The temporomandibular joint connects the jaw to the skull. Therefore, having a disorder in this area results in jaw issues, headaches, neck discomfort and facial pain [2].
Is chewing ice linked to an iron deficiency?
Dental experts say that it is important for people to avoid chewing ice cubes. For most people this is a habit that can easily be eliminated.
However, some people have a craving for chewing ice cubes. The desire to chew ice is often due to wanting to relieve dry mouth or dehydration. Dental experts have suggested that these cravings may be a sign of a deeper health issue.
It may seem like a strange connection, but it is believed that there is a link between chewing ice and having an iron deficiency or anemia [1].
A deficiency in iron is linked to extreme tiredness, weakness, and shortness of breath. Moreover, it can cause wider health issues.
Therefore, it is important to have a balanced diet which includes sources of iron. For example, these include meat, fish, green vegetables, and nuts.
So if you do find that you are craving ice cubes, it is probably worth contacting a doctor, as it may be a sign of an iron deficiency.
By looking into this, it can help your physical, mental, and oral health. Therefore, it offers a vast range of benefits.
Thinking points…
[1] Do you chew ice? If so, as seen above, it is highly advised to stop doing so! While doing it occasionally is unlikely to cause much damage, continuous chewing can clearly cause problems. Therefore, try to avoid this wherever possible. You could substitute the ice for something softer, like chewing gum.
[2] Avoiding biting on hard foods and objects is one way of helping our oral health. But another key action to do involves attending a dental clinic for a check-up regularly. At a check-up, a dentist will be able to review your oral health, provide advice, and suggest treatment if needed. You should attend at least once every six months. We recommend booking an appointment now!
What we offer at Taradale Dental
Taradale Dental is a dental clinic based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. At our Calgary dental clinic, we provide a range of services for our patients.
We advise our patients to attend our Calgary dental clinic at least twice per year for a regular dental check-up. At these check-ups, we provide a comprehensive review of a patient’s oral health. If any problems are detected, we have many treatments available. For example, these include cavity fillings and root canals. To strengthen your oral health, we recommend brushing your teeth at least twice a day and flossing regularly.
Here at Taradale Dental, we also have some cosmetic treatments available! These include dental implants, teeth whitening and Invisalign™! Our patients find that these treatments have a positive impact on their appearance, confidence and self-esteem.
Moreover, the fees of our treatments at our Calgary dental clinic Taradale Dental are set in line with the Alberta Dental Fee Guide. This ensures transparent and fair pricing, with no hidden costs.
We hope to see you soon at our Taradale Dental clinic in Calgary! You can find out more about us by visiting our website https://taradaledental.ca/!
References
[1] Clark, G. (2025). Love chewing ice? It could damage your teeth and jaw. Available: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-10-ice-teeth-jaw.html. Last accessed: 16th October 2025.
[2] Mayo Clinic. (2024). TMJ disorders. Available: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/tmj/symptoms-causes/syc-20350941. Last accessed: 16th October 2025.
