Skip to main content

Chewing Ice

Lately, we have notice that many of our patients are chewing ice, so Dr. Pan was interested in finding out if there was possibly a cause. Chewing ice can have severe consequences when it comes to your teeth. Due to the temperature and hardness of the ice, it can fracture your teeth, prematurely loosen or break your dental crowns, or cause micro fractures which develop over time into sensitivity and decay.

Dr. Pan found that one possible reason for chewing ice was due to iron deficiency. Iron deficiency can cause a burning sensation in your mouth, leading to a craving(called Pica) for ice. Pica is a craving for any substance that has no nutritional value, and has other causes, but Dr. Pan was interested and concerned about the iron deficiency because it can cause other systemic issues. Iron deficiency can cause low red blood cell count(anemia), frequent infections due to suppressed immune system, hair loss, and extreme fatigue or exhaustion. Low iron has also been linked to a much higher rate of oral infection and dry mouth

So, if you find yourself chewing ice constantly, it is Dr. Pan's recommendation that you speak to your primary care physician regarding having a possible iron deficiency. It is much easier to get a simple test done and protect yourself from a number of preventable complications. Also a lot easier on the checking account!

As always, please let us know if you have any questions or concerns. (916)781-6688, www.dralanpan.com, admin@dralanpan.com


Sources:
Everyday Health: "7 Unusual Signs of Iron Deficiency" - https://www.everydayhealth.com/news/unusual-signs-iron-deficiency/

 Mayo Clinic: "Craving and chewing ice: A sign of anemia?"  - https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/iron-deficiency-anemia/expert-answers/chewing-ice/faq-20057982

 PubMed: "Perception of iron deficiency from oral mucosa alterations that show a high prevalence of Candida infection" - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27133388

Popular posts from this blog

Periodontal Disease and treatment

Hi Everyone, today we will be discussing Periodontal Disease and ways to prevent it as well as treatment options should you already be affected. 






Periodontal disease is caused by bacteria that live in your mouth. We all have the bacteria, some a little more or a little less than others, or maybe a different strain but it is all there. It is when we don't keep the bacteria levels under control that it can have serious repercussions. It can cause Halitosis (bad breath, Ew!), red and swollen gums, gum recession, tooth sensitivity, tenderness of the gums, bleeding when you brush or floss, bone loss, and even changes in the way your teeth fit together or tooth loss!

Periodontal disease is not very well understood by most people. It is normally thought of to be a disease that is pretty rare or uncommon, but in fact it is a lot more common than you might think. According to the CDC:

"47.2% of adults aged 30 years and older have some form of periodontal disease." That is almost HA…
Read more

Oral Hygiene!

Hello again everyone! It occurred to us that after the lecture on Periodontal Disease last month, it might be a great idea to talk about prevention. Today we will go over dental Hygiene 101, the best practices, and some useful tools to keep your mouth as healthy as possible between your professional cleanings.

Order of Operations! You may not remember PEMDAS from math class, but pretty much everyone knows that you should brush, floss, and rinse with a mouthwash, but what you didn't know is that you are doing them in the wrong order! Dr. Pan recommends first flossing, then brushing, and finally rinsing with a non-alcoholic rinse. Flossing comes first because it helps to loosen any stuck food or plaque in between your teeth and down to your gums, which is then removed by brushing. Finally, the rinse helps to kill any stubborn bacteria around the gums and rinse anything you missed when you spit out your toothpaste. A family member taught her son the acronym FBS to help him remember:
F…
Read more