Why You Should Stop Biting Your Nails

Biting your nails may not be the best habit, but in no universe would it be considered the worst. Whether you (or your child) does it when anxious or bored, the action can become a reflex that you don’t even notice after a while.

However, a dentist in North Kansas City, MO can tell you that biting your nails can have a noticeable impact on your oral health, so it may help to start looking for alternative outlets if at all possible. Here, we’ll look at why this is and how even a little awareness can go a long way.

Oral Damage From Biting Nails

While everyone is different, nail-biting can lead to the following issues:

• Enamel erosion: Your enamel is incredibly strong, but so are your nails. The more you keep gnawing at them, the more likely you’ll start to strip away the protective layer that keeps your teeth safe from decay.
• Fractures: Whether from chipping or cracking, your nails can cause noticeable damage to your teeth.
• Misalignments: Believe it or not, nail biting can cause your teeth and jaws to misalign (especially if you’re on the younger side).
• Inflammation: If your nails are crusted with bacteria, it can eventually inflame or infect your gum tissues.

See a Restorative Dentist Today

From fidget toys to gum, there are other things that you can do when you want to bite your nails. In addition to splurging on bitter-tasting nail polish or acrylics, it’s often better to replace the habit entirely rather than to enforce negative punishments.

At NKC Dental, our restorative dentists in North Kansas City, MO can help you recover from any possible damage done to your teeth, and give you tips on how to keep damage at bay in the future.