I crave Ice, and it's breaking my teeth

[Hi_im_Jill]

I crave ice. I'm not sure why, some people have told me it's due to a vitamin deficeincy. Others say it's stress related. Either way, it's ruining my teeth. I have many broken teeth, and I have gone so long without seeing a Dentist, that now my broken teeth are embedded into my gums and have caused infection. I'm really scared now to see a dentist, afraid of what he will say, and the damage I have done. I have puss pockets around my broken teeth, and I have nasal problems. My question is, what type of dentist do I need to see? I know i will need surgery. So my next question is, with infection present as bad as mine, if a dentist works on my teeth, can the infection get into my bloodstream and make me severely ill possibly kill me?

[love1221]

If the tooth is broken off completely at the gumline it probably can't be root canaled.  It would have to be pulled.  Root canals aren't actually that painful...no worse than a filling.  I know everyone has heard horrible stories about them, but technology has come a long way.  As far as being put completely out, this is a definate option if you are getting the tooth pulled.  You can go to an oral surgeon.  General dentists can't put people completely out to work on their teeth though.  They can give you "oral sedation."  Which is just a pill/pills that you take before your appointment and it just relaxes you, pretty much to the point that you won't remember anything the next day.

[Hi_im_Jill]

Thank you for responding. I have heard of the iron deficiency, but I didn't believe it could be related to ice craving. I thought I was crazy for just craving ice all together. Sounds weird, but its so true! I'm surprised I haven't gotten sick already. What I'm concerned about is the teeth that are broken, I let go for so long and continued chewing ice, that the tooth is no longer visible. When a root canal is done, is that what they do, go in and gut out the whole area and get the dead root and pieces of tooth out? AUURRHH>.... sounds painful:(   Have you ever heard of a dentist that would put a patient completely under to work on their teeth? I opt for that if it's possible. Ha Thanks for your time, and comments.

[love1221]

All you need to do about craving ice is take an iron supplement.  Try doing a google search on iron deficiency...somehow it makes you crave ice.  It doesn't really make any sense...but it's true!  You should start out by just seeing a general dentist.  He could then tell you where you needed to go.  If there is a lot of infection they probably won't try to work on anything without giving you an antibiotic first.  It's not good for that much infection to get all stirred up...but there is also a possibility that with the infection you wouldn't get numb enough to have the teeth worked on anyways.

[Ania778]

sounds like you need some root canals and crown work.  If you don't see a dentist about this you can end up seriously ill.  You should also get some antibiotics to control the infection as soon as possible.  

I wouldn't worry about what a dentist says.  That's what he is there for.    You need to see a general dentist to examine you and decide whether you need to be referred to a specialist (probably an endodontist).   I'm sure it can all be fixed without surgery.  Usually a root canal is done through the tooth.   If you can't have a root canal then you may need some teeth out - is that what you mean by surgery?

Maybe you need to get some addiction therapy about the ice.  I once read about a woman who was addicted to frozen peas.  Maybe they are better for your teeth....