What Does It Mean If You Chew Ice All The Time

Some people may have symptoms of pagophagia if they are under a lot of stress.

By constantly chewing on ice you re putting pressure on your teeth and you risk wearing down the enamel the thin outer coating that protects the delicate internal tissue. More blood in the brain means more oxygen in the brain. According to mayo clinic hematologist ruben mesa m d if you re a compulsive ice chewer your body might be trying to tell you that you re deficient in iron it can mean other things too. Craving and chewing ice pagophagia is often associated with iron deficiency anemia although it may be associated with other nutritional problems as well.

Children and pregnant women often experience this but it can occur in anyone. Others may have obsessive compulsive disorder ocd or another. I knew the ice chewing was a problem and discussed it with both my doctor and dentist. But chewing ice can also simply be a habit.

Pagophagia is the medical term for compulsively consuming ice or iced drinks. Craving and chewing ice pagophagia is often associated with iron deficiency with or without anemia although the reason is unclear. You probably don t even realize that you have it until it is brought to your attention quite possibly when you inform your doctor that you walk around craving ice all of the time. At least one study indicates that ice chewing might increase alertness in people with iron deficiency anemia.

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People start chewing ice to relieve a dry mouth or out of boredom or to relieve stress or to quell the urge to snack and over time it develops into a habit or even a compulsion. Chewing ice may also be a sign of an emotional issue. Some researchers believe that chewing ice triggers an effect in people with iron deficiency anemia that sends more blood up to the brain. Eating ice causes severe damage to teeth and gums.

This could lead to your teeth cracking or chipping and result in cavities. Less commonly other nutritional problems may cause you to crave and chew ice. Other medical conditions or medications can cause dry mouth so if you chew ice because your mouth always feels dry check with your doctor about that too.