Biting your nails might seem like a relatively harmless activity. Sure, you might give the ends of your fingers a somewhat ragged appearance, but that's all, right?
Unfortunately, this is not the case. Biting your nails can actually come with a number of oral health issues. Here are 5 important reasons why you should curb the habit.
1. Nail Biting Introduces Bacteria to the Mouth
Your mouth is a breeding ground for bacteria, which should be supressed by a good oral healthcare routine. Unfortunately, biting your nails can mean introducing fresh bacteria. Just think about all the places you put your hands during the day. Whenever you use your hands, debris can get caught under the nails; this debris, and any bacteria it contains, will then be transferred to your mouth when you bite your nails.
2. Nail Biting Wears Down Your Front Teeth
The enamel that covers your teeth is the hardest substance in your body, but it is not invulnerable to damage. Repeatedly chewing and biting down on your nails can cause excessive wear; this is particularly problematic since the incisors, unlike the molars, are not designed to handle repeated grinding. Additionally, people often click their front teeth together after biting through a nail, which can cause chips and fractures.
3. Nail Biting Can Lead to Bruxism
Experts suggest that people avoid chewing on their nails since this habit may lead to bruxism, or tooth grinding. People who start biting their nails throughout the day could then begin to grind their teeth at night; this places additional strain on the jaw and can quickly wear down your tooth enamel. If you grind hard, teeth can even fracture or chip.
4. Nail Biting Can Damage Your Gums
When you bite your nails, you remove the softly rounded edge that tends to form after that nail has been properly trimmed, so the edge will typically end up sharper and more jagged. Having these sharp and jagged edges close to your gums is a bad idea; it's easy for a nail to slip while you're biting and cause cuts and scrapes to the gums. This can lead to infection.
5. Nail Biting Can Cause Temporomandibular Joint Disorders
A recent review of previous studies demonstrated that intense nail biting can increase your likelihood of developing temporomandibular joint disorders. Such disorders affect the temporomandibular joint that connects your jaw to your skull. This can cause pain and tenderness whenever you try to chew or speak.
For more information or advice, contact a dentist.
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