Pica is typically defined as an eating disorder that involves the persistent eating of non-nutritive substances for at least one month. Some examples are clay, dirt, sand, stones, hair, lead, vinyl gloves, paper, paint chips, coal, and matches to name a few.
Source: Johnson et al, An unusal case of tooth loss, abrasion and erosion associated with a culturally accepted habit, General Dentistry, Sept/Oct 2007, Vol 55, No 5, pg 445-448.
Hans Skariah, B.Sc., DMD
Promenade Court Dental Health Group in Mississauga
2233 Hurontario St., Mississauga, ON, Canada
(1/2 km north of the QEW in the Dome Building)
(905) 273-7100