The Dangers of Teeth Grinding, Ice Chewing, and How Nightguards Protect Your Smile
Posted: August 18, 2025
The Dangers of Teeth Grinding, Ice Chewing, and How Nightguards Protect Your Smile
Many people don’t realize how much stress their teeth endure every day. Habits like nighttime grinding (bruxism) or chewing on ice may seem harmless, but over time, they can cause serious damage. From tiny fracture lines to full tooth fractures requiring crowns or even root canals, the risks are real. Understanding the connection between these habits, tooth sensitivity, and long-term oral health is key to protecting your smile.
Why Teeth Grinding is Harmful
The definition of stress has changed through the COVID-19 pandemic. Stress as it relates to the pandemic was initially about remaining healthy, but as shutdown and quarantine time lengthened, the stress extended to financial issues, and unsettled tension in family relationships.
A broken tooth is usually unexpected and uncomfortable for people. When a tooth breaks, it is easy to start panicking; especially if it is a front tooth that presents cosmetic dental concerns. As a patient, it is best to slow down and take a look at the fractured piece. There are questions that your dentist will ask. 
During the COVID-19 19 pandemic, many workers around the world lost their full time job or the health care benefits that they received from their job. Dental insurance typically helped make dental treatment affordable for many people.
The COVID-19 pandemic has led to uncountable changes across the world. Travel has been significantly impacted; the way families and friends can show affection is limited to reduce the risk of spreading this new coronavirus. And it has led health care providers to evaluate what parts of the body in addition to the respiratory system demonstrate a decline in health when affected by COVID-19. 
