Nail biting - Tooronga Family Dentistry in Glen Iris

Nail biting usually starts in childhood or adolescence. It is a universal way of children and adults manifesting their boredom or stress that has given rise to the idiom:” biting one’s nails”. This habit is not that easy to quit given the increased levels of stress in our modern life. It may cause various bite problems like crowding and rotations of incisors and fractures and chips in the front teeth that will increase in size and require treatment. The appearance of bitten-down fingernails can also be embarrassing, which can only add to more anxiety and stress.Research shows that the fingers can introduce more bacteria, like E coli, into the oral cavity and increase risk of oral infections.

Most children eventually grow out of nail biting, for those who still struggle with the habit, some techniques have proven results.

Coat the nails with a bitter-tasting nail biting polish. It can be a reminder when reaching for the nail unconsciously and reduce the pleasure associated with it.
Keep nails trimmed short. There will be less of a nail to bite.
If you get a manicure to keep your nails looking attractive, you’ll be less likely to bite them.
Use an alternate technique to manage your stress. Try deep breathing, or squeezing a stress ball to relax you.
Use a rubber band around your wrist as a distraction whenever you get the urge to bite your nails.
Put self-adhesive bandages on the tips of your fingers so your nails won’t be accessible to bite.

If fingernail biting persists along with anxiety and stress, please call Tooronga Family Dentistry, Phone number 98227006.