Biting Your Nails Can Cause Tooth Enamel Damage

The main component of your fingernails is keratin, which is a type of protein that also constitutes your hair. This hard substance has the ability to cause teeth to shift, fracture, and even to wear away tooth enamel over time [1]. Your teeth may be more susceptible to these types of injury if they already have existing damage, such as a fracture, decay, or gum disease, which can cause loose teeth.

Nail Biting Affects Plaque and Oral Bacteria

Did you know that nail biting also affects the amount of plaque in your oral cavity, as well as the balance of bacteria [2]? Since your hands and fingers are exposed to a variety of germs throughout the day, compulsively biting your nails can expose your oral cavity to bacteria it would normally wouldn’t be exposed to.

People who bite their nails also have higher levels of plaque in their mouths, which is the sticky substance that coats teeth throughout the day in between brushing. Nail biting also exposes people to more bacteria that could cause both oral and systemic infections, including E. coli [2].

It May Even Increase Your Risk for TMJ Problems

Another consequence of nail biting for your smile is that it could increase your risk for problems with your jaw. Your temporomandibular joint (TMJ), which is located near your ear on either side of your head, allows your jaw to function properly. Overuse of this joint can cause discomfort and inflammation, which could lead to what are commonly referred to as TMJ disorders. Some evidence shows that chronic nail biting can increase your risk for TMJ disorders or aggravate an existing problem with your jaw[3].

Do You Bite Your Nails?

Nail biting is generally not considered to be a helpful or healthy habit, especially since it can damage teeth, expose you to dangerous bacteria, and overwork your jaw. Whether you’re an occasional nail biter or have had the habit for years, there are ways to stop. From keeping your nails short to identifying your triggers, consider curbing your nail biting habit to support your oral health and reduce your risk for getting sick!

Sources:
1. https://vitalrecord.tamhsc.edu/biting-nails/
2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4456744/?report=classic
3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5141299/pdf/CRID2016-5475462.pdf

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The main cause of an underbite is usually genetic and not something that can be prevented,
although in rarer cases thumb sucking, mouth breathing, or prolonged bottle feeding in
childhood can have the potential to cause an underbite.

Fortunately, there are several options to effectively treat your underbite so that you can have a
pain-free, healthy smile. What are your treatment options for an underbite?

Orthodontics

Your individual case will be unique, but in many instances, orthodontics can work to correct an
underbite. Your treatment options will include traditional braces along with other options such
as Invisalign in the event that you don’t want visible braces.

Only a professional orthodontist can tell you if you qualify for orthodontic treatment for an underbite, so don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment with your orthodontist or ask for a referral from your dentist to discover your underbite treatment choices through orthodontics.

Upper Jaw Expander

An upper jaw expander is a wire device that is fitted into your mouth. This device is not
removable during the time that it’s worn, but is intended to be adjusted daily at home. An
upper jaw expander will actually help your upper jaw to become wider and therefore alleviate
your underbite.

In many cases, people who suffer from underbites will have to wear the device for about a
year’s time and then wear a retainer afterward to prevent teeth shifting. This device is typically
managed by your orthodontist, so he or she can let you know more about what to expect!

Headgear

Headgear is a device that typically attaches to the molars in your mouth and includes a band
that wraps around the head or neck. Headgear has many applications in orthodontics, including
pulling the upper jaw back in a position called a “reverse pull”.

Headgear can accelerate orthodontic treatment time and can help effectively alleviate both the
appearance and symptoms of your underbite. Headgear is typically only worn at night and for
no more than 12 hours a day, so ask your orthodontist if headgear may be able to help your
treatment for your underbite.

Surgery

In rare cases, you may need to have jaw surgery to correct your underbite. During this
procedure, an oral surgeon will modify the bone in your jaw to reposition the lower jaw farther
back. For the majority of patients, surgery will not be necessary. However, in extreme cases,
surgery may be the most direct and beneficial option to fully correct an underbite.

Do you suffer from an underbite that’s hindering your smile’s function and appearance?
Underbites can be successfully treated, in many cases by an orthodontist. Schedule an
appointment with your dentist today to discuss your possibilities and, if necessary, get a
referral to a trusted orthodontist to help treat your underbite!

The post What Are Treatment Options to Correct My Underbite? appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

Damage from Cracking

Biting your nails increases the risk of damage to your teeth from cracking or chipping. Our nails are made of a substance called keratin, which is a tough protein our body uses to also make our hair. When your nails grow, new cells push the old cells out, and these old cells can harden. This hard material isn’t meant to be chewed on, making the chances of damaging your teeth that much greater.

Wearing Down the Teeth

Our teeth are meant to chew food, not tough substances like fingernails! Since your teeth need to last you a lifetime, any excessive wearing of your teeth can cause problems. By biting your nails, you wear down your teeth faster, increasing the chances of enamel erosion, a misaligned bite, and other dental problems.

Increased Risk of Bruxism

With a habit like nail biting, the body gets used to using this outlet as a way to deal with stress and anxiety. Even if you stop biting your nails, you may grind your teeth instead. Teeth grinding is often an unconscious practice that happens during sleep or in times of stress. This puts enormous pressure on the teeth which can lead to headaches, jaw pain, enamel erosion, and eventually tooth loss.

Damaged Gum Tissue

When you chew on your nails, this often creates jagged, uneven edges. As you continue to put your fingers in your mouth and bite your nails, you risk gum damage. This is because your nails can come into contact with your gums and scrape or break the surface. This not only exposes your gums to bacteria from your nails, but it also makes your body work harder to heal the gum tissue.

Spreading Bacteria

Fingernails can carry significant amounts of bacteria, depending on how clean your hands are and how long your nails are. Whatever you touch or eat can remain on your fingers. If you’re not washing your hands often—this is particularly true for children— bacteria can accumulate. These bacteria often aren’t harmful, unless introduced in the right situation. This is exactly what can happen when you put your fingers in your mouth to chew on your nails. Bacteria are then introduced into the oral cavity that wouldn’t normally be, which could harm your smile by making your mouth more acidic or even your body by contracting infections like pinworm.

Nail biting isn’t worth the risk of damaging your teeth, and it’s a habit that you can kick. By looking into alternative stress coping mechanisms in addition to keeping your nails neatly trimmed, you can stop biting your nails and protect your smile for good!

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Braces provide lots of different, little spaces for food to get trapped, so keeping up with proper brushing and flossing is absolutely essential during your orthodontic treatment. That being said, hard brushing is not the answer, and can harm your gums, teeth, and braces. Choose a toothbrush that’s softer, and remember—proper brushing is better than harder brushing. Gently brushing your teeth as well as doing your best to brush around your braces and all their parts is vital. Remember that while you should be gentle with your toothbrush, your braces will not be gentle on your toothbrush; therefore, it will need to be replaced more often during your orthodontic care.

Flossing with Braces

Flossing at least once a day both during your time with braces and post-braces is ideal. Again, gentle is the name of the game here. Using a floss threader can greatly help you get the floss under the wire that goes through your braces and in between your teeth. The best part is that they can be reused! Flossing helps to remove food that gets trapped in the tight spaces that braces create, therefore keeping your mouth clean and healthy while you have your braces.

Eating Right

Although your diet will likely be able to remain the same while receiving orthodontic care, there are certain foods that are best avoided while you’re getting your teeth straightened out! These include candies like gummy bears and caramels that can get stuck and damage your braces. Very hard foods such as nuts can damage your braces as well. Softer foods will be ideal, especially after an adjustment. Many chewy and processed foods like bagels, lollipops, and hard candies don’t make for good eating while you have braces. If you do eat them, be gentle and chew with care.

Caution with Biting

Chewing or biting on objects is a no-no without braces—so it’s definitely in the forbidden category while you have braces! Objects like pencils and ice can be very damaging to your teeth. Even biting your nails isn’t a healthy practice. You’ll also want to exercise caution with foods like apples that require you to bite into them. Until you become used to your braces, cut up your fruit and be cautious about biting into food such as chicken wings!

Having braces is an important step in having healthy teeth with a proper bite. Caring for your braces isn’t difficult, but you should be gentle with your mouth while eating, brushing, and flossing. And remember that chewing on objects is never good for your teeth. With proper care, your braces can do their job and give you a beautiful smile!

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