Why Chewing on Ice Is Not Recommended During Labor

Posted on 8/23/2021 by Evan

When in labor, women feel pain and sometimes resort to using ice as a pain reliever. While this can help reduce the pain, chewing on ice is not recommended. If you must use ice during labor, it is wise to suck on it instead. This is because chewing on ice can damage your enamel, teeth, and gums.

Effects of Chewing on Ice

When in labor, aggressive chewing on ice will cause severe dental damage like chipped or cracked teeth. Besides, the impact can also damage your enamel, leading to increased tooth sensitivity. One of the most common effects of chewing on hard ice is tooth decay and cavities. This happens when your tooth becomes cracked and exposed. In that state, your tooth is highly vulnerable to bacteria intrusion that causes decay and cavities. This underlines the importance of sucking on ice instead of chewing it during labor.

Furthermore, chewing ice can lead to more dental problems by damaging existing dental work like crowns, fillings, and veneers. You might experience less painful labor but will be forced to replace existing dental work due to the damage caused by ice. The dental crowns and dentures will be damaged to the extent that they need replacement. The impact is worse when using dental implants. This is because the force will push the implants deeper into your gums, causing significant damage and, in some cases, bleeding. This can be avoided if you suck on ice instead.

Chewing on ice is a very common habit, especially for women in their pregnancy period. The damage this habit causes to your teeth should make it necessary to try out other alternatives. You can talk to us, and we will suggest healthy alternatives to chewing ice during labor. Visit our offices for more information on why chewing ice is not recommended during labor.

Madison:

5709 Odana Road,
Madison, WI 53719

608-274-5970

Hours

Mon - Thurs: 7 am - 6 pm
Friday: 7 am - 2 pm

DeForest

502 Nelson Court,
DeForest, WI 53532

608-846-3302

Hours

Monday: 8 am - 5 pm
Tuesday: 7 am - 4 pm
Wednesday: 8 am - 5 pm
Thursday: 8 am - 5 pm
Friday: Closed

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Madison Family Dental Associates, 5709 Odana Rd., Madison, WI 53719; 608-274-5970; madisonfamilydental.com; 10/10/2024; Page Terms:dentist Madison WI;