What Are the Dangers of Chewing Ice?

Crunching on ice is a habit. However, it is also a subcategory of the medical condition pica. Pica is a craving for nonfood items. The subcategory is called pagophagia. While it is true that ice is simply frozen water, and water is, no doubt, good for you, even casual ice chewing carries with it certain dangers.

Damage to Teeth

• Crunching ice damages teeth. The hard, rigid cubes wear away the enamel on your teeth, causing them to weaken, chip and crack. The risk of tooth damage increases with the amount of ice you chew, so it is best not to crunch ice at all.

Malnutrition

• In severe cases of pagophagia when people eat ice all day, they suffer from malnutrition. It is unclear whether the ice itself hinders nutrient absorption or if the craving overpowers the desire for nutrient-rich foods. Moderate and infrequent ice chewing poses little threat to overall health and nutrition.

Social Impact

• Chewing ice causes problems socially as well. Crunching ice during a movie or religious ceremony disturbs those seated nearby, and crunching ice during a conversation can limit your ability to hear another person speaking, making it difficult to carry on a conversation. In extreme cases, people may limit contact with you because of an uncontrolled desire to munch on ice.

Underlying Causes

• While dental damage and malnutrition are serious dangers related to chewing ice, perhaps the most serious condition associated with chewing ice is the underlying cause of the craving. Iron-deficient anemia is the leading cause of pica and, more specifically, pagophagia. Experts are not sure why the body's need for iron leads to craving ice, but they agree that taking an iron supplement and increasing consumption of green-leafy vegetables often stop the cravings altogether. Only a blood test can confirm anemia. If you suspect you may be suffering from pagophagia or other forms of pica, contact your health care professional.