Also known as onychophagia, the habit of nail biting is one of the so-called “nervous habits” that can be triggered by stress, excitement, or boredom. According to a study by the Academy of General Dentistry, those who bite their nails, clench their teeth, or chew on pencils are at much higher risk to develop bruxism (unintentional grinding of the teeth). Bruxism can lead to tooth sensitivity, tooth loss, receding gums, headaches, and general facial pain.
Approximately half of all kids between the ages of ten and 18 have been nail biters at one time or another. Experts say that about 30 percent of children and 15 percent of adults are nail biters, however most people stop chewing their nails by the time they turn 30.
4 Reasons to Stop Biting Your Nails:
- It’s unsanitary: Your nails harbor bacteria, germs, and are almost twice as dirty as fingers. What’s more, swallowing dirty nails can lead to stomach problems.
- It wears down your teeth: Gnawing your nails can put added stress on your pearly whites, which can lead to crooked teeth.
- It can delay your orthodontic treatment: For those of our patients wearing braces, nail biting puts additional pressure on teeth and weakens roots.
- It can cost you, literally: It has been estimated that up to $4,000 in extra dental bills can build up over a lifetime.
How to Stop Biting Your Nails
Our team at Wonder West Orthodontics recommend the following:
- Get a mouthguard – A mouthguard can help prevent nail biting.
- Put a rubber band around your wrist – Whenever you feel the urge to gnaw on your nails, snap it.
- Trim your nails shorter and/or get regular manicures – Trimming your nails shorter is an effective remedy. In so doing, they’ll be less tempting and more difficult to bite on. If you also get regular manicures, you’ll be less likely to ruin the investment you’ve made in your hands and fingernails!
- Find a different kind of stress reduction – Try meditation, deep breathing, practicing qigong or yoga, or doing something that will keep your hands occupied like squeezing a stress ball or playing with a yo-yo.
- Wear a bitter-tasting nail polish – When your nails taste awful, you won’t bite them! Clear or colored, it doesn’t matter. This is also a helpful technique for helping children get over the habit.
- Figure out what triggers your nail-biting – Sometimes it’s triggered by stress or anxiety and other times it can be a physical stressor, like having hang nails. Knowing what situations cause you to bite your nails will help you to avoid them and break the habit.
- Wear gloves or bandages on your fingers – If you’ve tried the steps above and they aren’t working, this technique can prove effective since your fingernails won’t be accessible to bite.
Still Have Questions?
If you’re still having trouble with nail-biting after trying these self-help steps, it’s best to consult your doctor, dermatologist, or our team at Wonder West Orthodontics.