The Habit Of Nail-Biting Can Harm Your Oral Health
When it comes to dental and oral health, you know to brush and floss your teeth a couple times a day and visit your dentist regularly. However, what not to do isn’t discussed as much—and some of the advice is surprising. For example, one major habit many dentists advise against is nail-biting. While it may seem harmless, it can hurt your teeth and overall health in more ways than you might realize.
How Nail-Biting Can Harm Your Oral Health
So why, exactly, is nail-biting so bad for your teeth and health overall? Here’s what you need to know.
It can cause damage to your teeth
Even though teeth are strong (they have a lot of chewing to do, after all), this habit can actually break them. “Nail biting can cause teeth to become short, chipped or even fractured due to uneven pressure applied over time, eroding the enamel,” says dentist Dr. Jamie Laviola, DMD. To illustrate this, he encourages thinking about your teeth like an engine. “An engine runs best when used as intended, without putting unnecessary stress on its parts,” he continues. “Similarly, your teeth are designed for chewing food, and not for nail biting.”
Curious about the science? “The nails are made up of a strong protein called keratin, which can damage the tooth enamel and expose sensitive nerves.”
Tips To Help You Stop Nail-Biting
People bite their nails for many understandable reasons, whether they involve anxiety, boredom or something else. When it feels second nature, how do you stop? One tip is to paint your nails. This can work in a variety of ways. “The taste of it isn’t pleasant, and neither is the thought of all the germs transferring to your mouth.” Not into painted nails? Another option she shares is trimming your nails. “There’s nothing to bite if they’re trimmed,” she says. Or, you can try clear nail polish if you just don’t want color.