Nail Biting - Your Teeth's Arch Enemy!

Courtesy of Dental Plans.com

When you get a dent in your car's exterior you take it to the repair shop to be fixed. So what do you do when your habit of biting your nails dents, dings, and breaks your teeth? Your repair options may not be so simple.

Dental Plans.com has a great article on the risks you are exposing your health and your teeth to if you persist on biting your nails. The Academy of General Dentistry indicates that people spend thousands of dollars every year to repair damaged teeth from this seemingly innocent nervous habit.

Aside from the damage nail biting causes to your teeth, have you considered the pathogenic microorganisms you introduce into your body every time your finger enters your mouth?  Not a pleasant thought. You can cause gum infections, bad breath and compromised health by chewing on your fingernails because the mouth is the gateway to your body.

Nail biting has also been associated with teeth shifting, TMJ, overbites or gaps between the teeth as well causing surface damage, even breakage. Repairing any one of these conditions is costly.

Dental Plans.com lists some simple steps you or a loved one can apply to break that finger nibbling habit. They include:  

• Keep your nails short and filed. Long or ragged nails trigger the chewing habit for many people.
• Get regular manicures, and consider wearing artificial nails. Many people have no inclination to bite on fake nails.
• Give your hands something to do – squeeze a stress ball, knit, sketch, doodle, fold origami, whatever works for you.
• Bitter-tasting clear nail polishes, available at drug stores and beauty supply shops, are a great way to remind yourself that you really don’t want to bite your nails. 

We encourage you to make a serious commitment to your oral and physical health by putting a stop to nail biting. While it may appear as something small and insignificant, nail biting can turn into large medical bills down the road.

If you have any questions about nail biting, or if you are concerned about your own teeth, please don't hesitate to give us a call. We would be happy to visit with you about this topic further.

Remember to use your HSA and FSA money before the year runs out. You've worked hard for those benefits - make sure they work hard for you!

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