Question 1

why do i need to chew ice alot?

Accepted Answer

Habit: We need to eat, and drink water, and breathe.  Feeling one must chew ice or some other nonessential behavior means it may have risen to a habit or even a compulsion.  Compulsions usually interfer with activities and tend to produce a lot of anxiety if they are nto performed.  Clincial psychologists can help with habits and compulsions with cognitive behavioral techniques.

Question 2

how come i have a compulsion to chew ice alot?

Accepted Answer

Several possibilitie: A compulsion to chew ice can be simply a bad habit, an anxious behavior, or the result of a vitamin/mineral deficiency. Try making a journal of the times when you want to do it, what's going on at the time, etc. Look for any patterns that might help you determine the cause. Either way it is important to stop the behavior as it can damage your teeth over time. Short term counseling may help stop.

Question 3

is it possible for chewing on ice to cause trismus?

Accepted Answer

Not generally: Trismus is limited opening of the lower jaw, usually caused by muscle spasm, a jaw joint disorder or an infection of the jaw. Chewing ice is not good for your teeth or your jaw, but i don't think it would commonly cause true trismus.

Question 4

started chew at a young age, i just turned 16 and already highly addicted, the gum doesn't help?

Accepted Answer

Hormones+stimulant: It will be a challenge, but one you can overcome. You will need to focus on the reasons for stopping chew (like not getting face/head/tongue/neck cancers at young age), use nicotine gum sparingly, and use regular gum or occasional lolipop instead for the oral sensation which is likely part of what you miss / crave. It will get easier with time, just keep at it!

Question 5

is ice chewing a symptom of anemia?

Accepted Answer

PICA: In medicine we call "pica" to the strong desire to eat or drink very unusual substances or foods. Children and adults with pica may eat:
animal feces, clay, dirt, hairballs, ice, paint, sand.This pattern of eating should last 1 mo.In pregnancy, in childhood, and in malnourished populations is more common.It is true that  iron or zinc deficiency could be present but could also be psycological.

Question 6

is chewing on ice harmful to your teeth?

Accepted Answer

Yes: I have had several patients who keep breaking their teeth and their crowns from habitually chewing on ice. Do it at your own peril.

Question 7

can there be a medical condition that warrants someone to chew ice?

Accepted Answer

PICA: This can be related to pica. Sometimes there is an underlying nutritional deficiency.

Question 8

how do i figure out why i am addicted to chewing paper?

Accepted Answer

Professional help: From a mental health worker - psychiatric social worker, psychologist or psychiatrist - would be where i would start.  There are many forms of "pica" - eating unusual substances, ranging from dirt and clay, to ice to paper. Sometimes it relates to an underlying physical disorder like iron deficiency, other times it is a psychological problem. If it is bothering you (or others), i would get help.

Question 9

why am i addicted to chewing paper? what is wrong with me?

Accepted Answer

Get counseling: it is not really"addiction" in the usual sense, but usually some form of obsessive-compulsive disorder, where people have to do certain things or they will feel tremendous anxiety. "Pica" - eating non-food substances like clay, or ice (or paper) may be a form of this. See a mental health counselor or psychiatrist for evaluation, and they can suggest ways to help you find your way out of this.

Question 10

i drink about 4 160z cups a water a day and after i'm done drinking, chew on a lot of ice. is it okay for my health?

Accepted Answer

Drinking water: Four 16 ounce glasses of water a day should be okay for the average individual.  Try substituting some drinks with electrolytes especially during the hot summer.  Eating a lot of ice can be associated with other problems such as iron deficiency anemia. It would be best to discuss this with your primary care provider.

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Doctor answers about:

Addicted to chewing ice

A member asked:

Why do i need to chew ice alot?

A member asked:

How come i have a compulsion to chew ice alot?

A member asked:

Is it possible for chewing on ice to cause trismus?

A member asked:

Started chew at a young age, i just turned 16 and already highly addicted, the gum doesn't help?

A member asked:

Is ice chewing a symptom of anemia?

A member asked:

Is chewing on ice harmful to your teeth?

A member asked:

Can there be a medical condition that warrants someone to chew ice?

A member asked:

How do i figure out why i am addicted to chewing paper?

A member asked:

Why am i addicted to chewing paper? what is wrong with me?

A member asked:

I drink about 4 160z cups a water a day and after i'm done drinking, chew on a lot of ice. is it okay for my health?

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