Dear patient! I always recommend our patient not to chew on ice, since ice can fracture your teeth. Of course, don't think this will never happen to you because I have seen many teeth crack from years of chewing ice/hard things, even teeth without fillings! This even happened to our office manager! If the fracture extend down to the root, then there is nothing can be done to fix the tooth and will need to be removed. Your teeth may already have small micro-fractures and you are not even aware of it from years of chewing. Best to avoid chewing ice or extra hard things or use your teeth to open bottle caps to prevent future unnecessary dental treatments and costs! All the best to you! -- Lisa Wu DMD

As ice is very hard. Chewing ice can and sometimes does, fracture teeth or fillings. Ice can be a good source of continual small amountsof water – if this is the goal put ice in your mouth and just suck on it. If you’re instead looking for something crunchy then you may want to try various tree nuts – almonds, walnuts, pistachios, cashews, etc. Peanuts aren’t as healthful. Dr. John Licking

Sorry I didn't see this sooner. I've been an ice chewer all my life, I do try to only chew softer and smaller chunks of ice and with minimal force though. Many different hard foods and ice can cause problems such as fracturing teeth or even TMJ problems. I had a patient fracture a perfectly healthy front tooth on a piece of frozen licorice. Teeth with large filling are more susceptible to fracturing on something hard. It's even happened to me personally. Depending on the fracture it could mean a crown for that tooth. A deeper crack could lead to a root canal before the crown. Worst case you could loose the tooth (rarely happens). Specific to ice is the thermal contraction of fillings and teeth do to a rapid decrease in temperature which can lead to fine stress cracks which ultimately weaken the tooth and increase the chance of them fracturing even on something seemingly soft. Hope this helps.

Ice chewing, or for that matter, chewing anything very hard & brittle such as ice, hard candy, popcorn kernels, or the like, will cause micro-cracks in the outer enamel surface of the teeth.
The same little crack lines that begin in the ice, also propagate in the enamel.
As this progresses, it leads to tooth fracture.

Enamel is the outer most layer of the tooth, is the hardest material in your body and protects the tooth from wearing down. However, it is very brittle and it will chip and dissolve in acid such as found in a soft drink. Chewing on ice will chip or break the enamel. In serve cases, the protective layer is worn down or chipped and dentin, which is underneath the enamel and a softer material, is exposed which may cause sensitivity. It may be necessary to restore the affected tooth with full coverage such as a crown.
Remember to take good care of your teeth including regular check ups,,cleanings and good home care will give you beautiful and healthy smile! Also, consider using a straw when drinking liquids containing ice.

Chewing Ice doesnt effect your teeth unless you have large mercury fillings that could break your teeth and cause the need for crowns. IF you have no restorations and health teeth it should be of no concern.