{"id":24,"date":"2025-11-13T19:48:00","date_gmt":"2025-11-13T19:48:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.todaysfamilydentalnj.com\/blog\/?p=24"},"modified":"2026-02-04T19:51:31","modified_gmt":"2026-02-04T19:51:31","slug":"stop-chewing-ice","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.todaysfamilydentalnj.com\/blog\/?p=24","title":{"rendered":"Protect Your Enamel: Stop Chewing on Ice"},"content":{"rendered":"
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While human teeth are incredibly strong and durable, they are not invincible and can be injured or destroyed if they are subjected to too much force. Unfortunately, many people have bad oral habits that can erode enamel and leave teeth vulnerable to damage and infections such as chewing ice, biting nails, grinding in frustration, and using their smile to open bottles and packages. Here\u2019s a quick look at why these habits are destructive and how your emergency dentist<\/a> can help if you suffer a dental injury.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

How Can Chewing Ice Hurt My Smile?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Teeth are adapted to pulverize plant and animal matter into fine pulps that can be easily digested. While dental enamel is the hardest material naturally occurring in the human body, it is extremely limited in its ability to heal on its own, so dental structure lost due to erosion, infection, or injury will not grow back. Chewing on nonfood materials like ice, wood, plastic, and metal can chip or crack your enamel and leave your teeth vulnerable to further damage and painful oral infections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Can I Prevent Enamel Injuries?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In addition to refraining from chewing on wood, ice, plastic, metal, and fingernails, you can protect your teeth from injury in the following ways:<\/p>\n\n\n\n