Weather-related woes
When ice isn’t so nice
Ice is something we use every day — it keeps our drinks cold, preserves food, and, for certain injuries, a homemade ice pack can help reduce swelling and inflammation.
That said, ice isn’t always helpful. Severe weather like ice storms can cause problems for your home and community and, if you’re not careful, there are a few ways ice can injure your oral and overall health!
Ice storms range in severity, just like other kinds of storms, and they can disrupt your day in various ways.
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Difficulty traveling: Even a lower intensity storm can cause icy sidewalks and roads that make it difficult — or even dangerous — to travel to work, the grocery store, a scheduled dentist appointment, or anywhere else you need to go.
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Home damage: Ice can damage your windows, siding, trees, fence, and anything left outside, from personal items in the backyard to your car in the driveway.
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Loss of power: Downed power lines may leave you without electricity. It’s a good idea to keep candles and matches and a flashlight at home, so you can see well enough to continue your normal nighttime routine (like brushing your teeth!).
Ice, ice, ow-ie
Ice doesn’t just derail your travel plans and knock out power — sometimes, it can cause injuries to your teeth or body.
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Chewing ice can chip teeth, damage braces, and break fillings and crowns. It can also put unnecessary strain on jaw joints, leading to joint pain.
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Falling icicles can cause bruises, cuts, and even broken bones.
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Slipping on slick steps and sidewalks can cause anything from minor embarrassment to major injuries like a broken or lost tooth!
Give ice risks the cold shoulder
Unless you’re experiencing a severe ice storm, it’s usually easy to protect yourself from the risks of ice. Just take a little extra care and:
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Don’t chew on ice: This one is pretty simple. It’s never a good idea to chew ice — you never know when the wrong bite will crack or break a tooth!
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Prepare for icy weather: If you know a storm is coming, it’s a great idea to stock up on food and water, bring your pets inside, and have a plan in case the power goes out. You may also want to reschedule any appointments, so you don’t have to risk driving on slippery roads.
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Be cautious after storms: If you do have to venture out, do so during the day and dress in warm layers. Bring lip balm to protect from chapped lips and a scarf, hat, and gloves to shield your skin. For extra safety, travel with someone, bring your cellphone, and tell someone where you are going, your planned route, and when you’ll arrive.
Remember, ice isn’t all bad
Just to show the nicer side of ice, we’ll close with a couple of helpful uses for everyday ice cubes.
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Use ice cubes to freeze gum that’s stuck in your carpet or clothes — then you can easily chip it away!
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Use ice to water hanging plants without making a mess. The water will melt into the soil gradually instead of dripping all over your floor.
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Ice can help reduce swelling in your face and jaw if you have a minor injury or dental surgery.
There’s no reason to be afraid of ice, but it’s still important to know the risks. That way you’ll remember to be careful with it, so you can enjoy the benefits and avoid the dangers.
