Everyone gets nervous in their lives, whether they have a job interview, a performance on stage, or have to have an unpleasant conversation. Similarly, as you probably know, many people have nervous habits, such as a tapping of fingers, shaking your leg, or biting your nails. While most nervous habits won’t affect your health, biting nails actually will.
You see, nails are usually the dirtiest part of a person’s hand. As such, they tend to be filled with germs and bacteria. If this bacteria gets into your mouth, you’ll be more likely to deal with plaque buildup and tooth decay. Similarly, continually biting your nails can eventually wear down your teeth or cause mini fractures.
Similarly, nail biting can promote bruxism, which can also be caused by anxiety or stress. Bruxism, which is also referred to as teeth grinding, can lead to a number of problems. For instance, bruxism can lead to shifting or dislodged teeth, frequent headaches, and can even cause problems with your jaw.
Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to stop nail biting. For instance, since nail biting is often brought on by stressful situations, learning to manage stress may be helpful. Similarly, if you keep your nails short and trimmed, you may have a harder time biting your nails—meaning you’ll be less likely to chew reflexively. Finally, if you spend a little money on your nails, you will also be less likely to bite them.
If you bite your nails, we recommend visiting our dentist, Dr. Darren Haws for a checkup. Our team will be able to assess the damage and help you come up with a plan for your unique situation. If you’re interested in scheduling an appointment, please feel free to contact Corona Dental at 520-762-0123.