Although not all compulsive behaviors are harmful to one’s physical health, this one certainly is. Nail biting may result in a number of issues with oral health, in addition to ripping and uneven nails and damaging nail beds. If your child has deformed teeth and has a habit of nail-biting, you can visit any nearby dentist in Valley Village. Contact a family dentist in Valley Village, CA, to learn how biting nails can affect the shape of your teeth.
Does your tooth shape change with nail-biting?
Although your fingernails are much softer than your teeth, biting your nails can damage your gums and teeth over time. The following are some of the primary ways that this occurs:
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Erosion, chipping, and cracking of your teeth
Teeth can chip or break due to the grinding friction of their teeth against nails, which can gradually wear away the enamel.
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Malocclusion and gaps in your teeth
Biting nails can cause teeth to shift, which can result in malocclusions (issues with the bite) and gaps between them, in addition to causing damage to the teeth.
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Root resorption
The jaw bone reabsorbing the roots weakens them and makes them more vulnerable to falling out, which may be the scariest result of nail chewing on teeth.
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Gingivitis
When we chew on our fingernails, a lot of dirt and bacteria that have been trapped there are carried to our mouths and can cause gum disease.
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Bruxism
Biting one’s nails can make one more likely to develop an ongoing habit of grinding one’s teeth, which can lead to headaches, pain, and other oral health issues.
Why Do People Bite Their Nails?
Why do so many individuals bite their nails when there are so many adverse effects? Although the exact cause is not known, study suggests that perfectionism, boredom, or anxiety may have an impact. Repetitive activities such as skin picking and pulling hair are similar. People often fail to notice that they are doing it, which can make quitting much more difficult.
Tips to Break the Habit
It can be challenging to figure out the best ways to stop nail biting until much is known about the causes of the habit; however, these methods can be helpful:
- To avoid having anything to bite, regularly trim your nails.
- Put some bitter nail paint on them so that biting becomes related to an unpleasant taste.
- Get a manicure! Your motivation to maintain your manicures will rise if they are appealing.
- Replace the habit of biting your nails with an easier way to pass the time, such as playing with silly putty or a stress ball.
- Learn what your triggers are. Recognizing what triggers nail biting allows you to take preventative measures and modify your behavior.
- When your fingers are idle, as when you are sleeping or watching TV, wear gloves.
- When someone sees you biting your nails, ask them to step in and remind you.
- Swap out your tense nail-biting with a stress ball.
- Make the process of ending slow. One nail at a time, choose which to stop biting, and consider covering the injured nail to prevent further biting. Till none stay, keep adding fingernails to the bite ban!
Why should you stop biting your nails?
Biting your fingernails will not result in severe damage on its own. But there are a lot of valid reasons to quit that need to be carefully considered, such as:
- It may cause your nails to grow irregularly. If you harm the tissue surrounding your nails, they may stop developing regularly, giving you nails that do not look normal.
- Biting your nails can have a negative impact on your smile since it can cause your teeth to chip, crack, or break. Biting one’s nails could eventually result in jaw issues as well.
- Your nails and hands are often covered in bacteria, which can make you sick. Placing your fingers in your mouth regularly raises your chance of catching a virus that might cause illness.
