We all have those nervous habits we turn to when we feel awkward, stressed, or just plain bored. If your choice vice is biting your nails, you need to know that it can cause a lot of distress on your oral health and overall health. McPherson dentists, Dr. Wince and Dr. Jeffers-Jader, share why nail biting is so bad for you and how you can break the habit.
Downsides of Biting your Nails
It may seem harmless, but nail biting can actually:
- Chip your teeth
- Hurt your jaw (due to frequently jutting your teeth out to bite)
- Increase your risk of tooth loss and tooth root loss if you have braces
- Tear and damage your gums
- Spread bacteria from under the fingernail into your mouth, bloodstream, and body
