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Nail Biting is a No-No

June 13, 2013 By Kim Elmore

Biting your nails can cause more pain that just a hangnail. Regularly biting your nails can cause your teeth to move out-of-place. In addition, nail biting could potentially cause teeth to break or tooth enamel to splinter.

People who bite their fingernails when stressed, chew on a pencil if nervous, or clench their jaw during sports competitions could also be at greater risk for bruxism, according to the Academy of General Dentistry(AGD).

Bruxism technically refers to the unintentional grinding or clenching of teeth. This clenching or grinding can cause a myriad of other issues including facial pain and headaches.

Nail biting can also:

• Contribute to skin infections
• Aggravate existing conditions of the nail bed
• Increase the risk of colds and other infections by encouraging the spread of germs from the nails and fingers to the lips and mouth

To stop nail-biting:

• Avoid factors that trigger nail biting, such as boredom
• Find healthy ways to manage stress and anxiety
• Keep your nails neatly trimmed or manicured
• Consider using bad-tasting nail polish
• Occupy your hands or mouth with alternate activities, such as playing a musical instrument or chewing sugar-free gum

In some cases, behavior therapy to stop nail-biting might be warranted.

So stop the biting and keep those hands, nails and teeth happy!

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Filed Under: Dental Health for Kids Tagged With: breaking bad habits, bruxism, DDCO, Delta Dental, Delta Dental of Colorado, facial pain, headaches, manage stress and anxiety, nail biting, stress relief, sugar free gum, Tooth Enamel

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