Nail biting is a “nervous disorder” that is scientifically described as onychophagia. It is usually triggered by stress, excitement, boredom or nervousness. Between 30% to 65% of children and 15% of adults bite their nails at one time or another. More than 75% of these people stop the habit after age 35, except for a few with OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder).
There are several reasons to stop biting your nails:
- It's unsanitary. Nails harbor bacteria below the nail beds and you swallow these bacteria while biting your nails. Bacteria and viruses passed from your fingers to your face and mouth can make you vulnerable to infection.
- It's unattractive and socially unacceptable. In addition to having a negative appearance, it causes damage to your health. Nail biting leads to ragged and unattractive nails. It also causes nail bleeding and damage to nail beds.
- It can cause stomach problems. When you bite your nails, you transfer bacteria between your mouth and your nails. Swallowing bacteria and broken nail bits can lead to stomach problems.
- It wears down teeth. Pressure from nail biting wears down your teeth over time. In addition, biting pressure leads to crooked teeth. It causes gum redness and irritation. Overall, nail biting can lead to permanent damage to your teeth, gums and nails.
- It can delay your orthodontic treatment and cost you money. Nail biting leads to frequent broken brackets or chipped teeth, which costs you more to fix the dental problem and delays orthodontic treatment.
Here are eight recommended ways to kick the nail biting habit:
- Keep nails short so there is less nail to bite.
- Coat your nail with bitter-tasting nail polish. Try fake nail products such as acrylics, wraps, gels and press-on nails.
- Wear bandages on your nails or gloves on your hands. It may seem a bit awkward at first, but this can be an effective tool.
- Wear a mouth guard, a clear retainer, or an Invisalign aligner to prevent you from biting your nails.
- Wear a rubber band around your wrist and snap it every time you have an urge to gnaw on your nails.
- Take up a new habit in order to kick old habits. Understanding when and why you bite your nails is the first step to making a conscious effort to kick the habit. Then find a way to distract yourself when you have an urge to bite your nails, such as humming, finger tapping, chewing gum, knitting, crocheting, nail care, decoration, doing art projects with clay or plaster, etc. Outdoor activities such as running, playing basketball, tennis, etc. will also keep you occupied and distracted from the urge to gnaw on your nails.
- Get support from those around you. Share the news with a friend or family member to encourage and remind you to stop.
- If you can't find a suitable distraction or habit to help you stop biting your nails, you might try addressing the problem therapeutically. There are options such as behavior therapy or online support groups. You could also find a "quit buddy" to help you on your journey to a bite-free existence.
At Care Orthodontics, Dr. Nancy Phan and team care for your oral health as well as your overall health. We hope you find these tips helpful to kick any nail biting habits that you may have.
Sources and Citations:
- http://www.webmd.com/healthy-beauty/stop-nail-biting-tips
- http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/making-habits-breaking-habits/201301/how-stop-biting-your-nails
- http://www.rd.com/health/beauty/14-tips-for-strong-and-healthy-nails/
- http://www.wikihow.com/Stop-Biting-Your-Nails
