We’re headed into another hot Florida summer and your Jacksonville dentist knows it’s tempting: a mouth full of ice can help cool you down quickly. But be careful! Ice can cause significant damage to your oral health and point to even greater existing health conditions.

Although you can’t feel damage being done, the effects of chewing ice can leave lifelong injuries in your mouth. Tiny fractures can form on the enamel of your teeth. These fractures will enlarge over time, exposing the dentin in your teeth and leading to tooth sensitivity. Cracks and can also result, which may need to be repaired with a root canal.

And if you catch yourself chewing ice, think for a moment about your total body health. The most common trigger of the habit is anemia. Anemia occurs when there is a deficiency in the amount of iron and red blood cells in the body. The red blood cells are not effectively carrying oxygen throughout the body and the tissues in the body start to suffer. Brittle nails and teeth are one possible sign or symptom of the disease.

So while you’re attempting to cool down this summer, avoid chewing on ice. Grab a drink of cold water or a sugar-free iced beverage instead. Your teeth and the team at Smiles by Shields will thank you for it!