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

Comments

  1. Amy WatsonFebruary 26, 2019 at 10:31 AM

    At our dental care, our team won’t only help guide you through the entire dental care process, but we also provide emergency dental care in order to make sure your concerns are immediately addressed during business hours. In the case of a dental emergency, you can have the peace of mind that you have professionals to assist you quickly and efficiently. stand alone dental discount plans az.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

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 rememb
18 comments
Read more

Does your smile have Termites in it?

Look Familiar? Hopefully this looks nothing like your beautiful smile, but we have all seen the movie, or at the very least heard the song 100+ times this season already. While the Grinch may simply have to live with the staining, crowding and his bug friends, we can help take care of your teeth a little better. This is not only the season for Ho-Ho-Ho but also the end of the dental benefit year for most insurance plans. Use it or lose it! At the end of the year, most dental benefits reset, meaning you have a full maximum to use in the new year. However, you also have that pesky deductible to meet again, and any benefits that you did not use in the last year go down the drain, back into the pocket of the insurance companies. Call us today to see how to maximize your benefits for the year, or request an appointment on our website, www.dralanpan.com , or here is information on Implants , Whitening , or to learn a bit more about Dr. Pan
13 comments
Read more

Dealing with Tooth Pain

Tooth pain can be terrible as you may know. This can be from tooth decay, gum health problems, gum recession, or even a naturally thin layer of enamel, but there are a few things that are quick fixes for sudden onset of sensitivity or pain when you can't get to your dentist immediately.  OTC Pain relievers: Over the counter pain relievers, such as Advil, Motrin, or Tylenol, can be used to treat minor tooth pain or sensitivity. They are fairly quick acting usually taking effect within about 30 minutes. For tooth pain Dr. Pan usually recommends Ibuprofen(Advil) because it is anti-inflammatory as well as a pain killer. This helps just in case the pain is caused by inflammation(swelling) of either the gums or inside of the tooth. Orajel: Orajel or other numbing agents are great for numbing the area temporarily until you can see your doctor. There are a number of similar products on the market, they work all basically the same way. A holistic alternative would be Clove Oil. Ice:
7 comments
Read more