Do you have a habit of nail biting? While this may just sound like a harmless thing to do, it can actually be quite harmful to your smile and your health. However, many people still continue to do it, but why? It isn’t completely understood why so many people have the urge to do this, but it can often be linked back to anxiety, boredom, or even perfectionism. Many people don’t even notice that they’re doing it which makes it even more difficult to quit. Continue reading to learn about the many consequences that nail biting can have on your oral health as well as some tips to help you quit.
How Does Nail Biting Harm Your Smile?
You may think that your teeth are harder than your nails, so this habit can’t be all that harmful for your smile. The truth is that is that over time, this can significantly damage your oral health. Here are a few issues it can cause:
- Damaged teeth: The grinding friction between your teeth and nails can grind the protective enamel away. You could even experience chips and cracks that will require dental treatment to repair.
- Gaps: If you’re frequently biting your nails, you can cause your teeth to move. You could experience malocclusion, or problems with the bite, and gaps between the teeth.
- Bruxism: Having a habit of biting your nails can increase your risk of developing bruxism, or teeth grinding. This can lead to more oral health like temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ) which can cause headaches and soreness.
How Can You Quit Biting Your Nails?
Here are a few tips that have helped patients drop their nail-biting habit for good so they can prevent oral health problems:
- Cut them short: If your nails are cut shorter, there will be less there to bite them. File down ragged edges as well so you are less tempted.
- Use bitter nail polish: You can find bitter nail polishes over-the-counter that can help to keep you from biting your nails.
- Get a manicure: You won’t want to mess up your beautiful nails after you’ve spent money on a gorgeous manicure.
- Find another habit: If biting your nails seems to be a nervous habit, try finding something else to do. Try using a stress ball or making a fist instead.
Nail biting is a difficult habit to break, but by using the tips listed above, you may just find some success. This way, you can keep your smile healthier!
About the Author
Dr. Tommy Murph is an experienced dentist who has been in practice for over 25 years. He earned his Doctor of Dental Medicine from the Medical University of South Carolina. He is currently a member of the American Dental Association and the South Carolina Dental Association. For more information on maintaining good oral health or to schedule an appointment with Dr. Murph at his office in Conway, visit his website or call (843) 488-4357.