Harmful Habits: Why You Should Never Bite Your Fingernails

Nervous habits can be hard to break, especially since you’re often not even aware you’re doing them. But when it comes to your oral health, some of these behaviors can be downright dangerous. Things like clenching your jaw, grinding your teeth, and even biting your fingernails can all take their toll on your smile, causing a variety of problems that could permanently damage your smile. Here’s why nail biting is so bad, and what you can do to halt the habit!

The Dangers of Nail Biting

You can frequently tell when someone bites their fingernails just by looking at their hands. Usually, their nails are extremely short, and their skin may be peeling or raw. Clearly, this habit is bad for your hands, but what many people don’t realize is that’s it can often be just as bad if not worse for your smile. That’s because your teeth aren’t meant to chew anything but food. Fingernails are too hard on the enamel, and can often cause teeth to chip, crack, or prematurely wear down.

Worse yet, even if you don’t damage your teeth with your fingernails, they can often cause painful soft-tissue injuries such as cuts or scrapes to the cheeks, gums, and tongue. These can eventually become infected or allow bacteria an easy access point that eventually leads to gum disease.

How to Stop Nail Biting

The good news is that it is possible to stop nail biting. First and foremost, if you’re not a habitual biter, here’s your sign to never become one. Should you encounter a rogue hangnail, or you need a trim, be patient and look for the right tool. Keep nail files and a pair of clippers nearby for emergencies or put a bandage or piece of tape around your fingertip until you have access to one.

If you are biting your nails in times of stress, this could be an indication of bruxism (teeth grinding). Speak to your dentist about your habits and see if you’d be a good candidate for a bite guard. These tiny, comfortable orthotics are custom made to fit your individual mouth and can bear much of the force and brunt of teeth grinding. They can also be a safe, effective way to keep you from biting your nails instead.

Other methods to dissuade you from nail biting include things like chewing sugarless gum, painting your nails with clear “bitter” nail polish designed to dissuade you from biting, distracting yourself with a fidget toy or spinner ring, or taking a walk or changing your activity if possible.

Remember, your teeth aren’t meant to be used as tools. If you find yourself using them for anything other than chewing food, it’s imperative you stop before it causes any permanent or painful damage to your teeth and gums. If you need help quitting, speak to your dentist today about having a bite guard made to protect your beautiful smile for a lifetime!

About Our Practice

At Arbor Dental Care, Dr. Frank Marchese and Dr. Jeanelle Marchese are the father and daughter dental duo that have been proudly protecting smiles for over 30 years. Whether you need a routine exam and cleaning or you’d like to correct or prevent damage from bad oral habits like nail biting, our team is here to help. To schedule an appointment for your preventive check-up, visit our website or call today at 630-969-2310.