Nail biting, or onychophagia, is a compulsive behaviour that involves chewing nails when stressed, anxious, or bored. This chronic condition reduces your fingernails to stubs and can also impact your dental health.
If you bite your nails, you’re not alone. According to an international study published by the Journal of Dermatological Treatment around 20 to 30% of people bite their nails, across all age groups.
Keep reading to learn how this nasty habit affects your smile and discover ways to break free from this practice.
Why you shouldn’t bite your nails
A study by the International Journal of Women’s Dermatology confirms that the habit of nail biting may lead to the following:
- Progressive nail shortening
- Degeneration of the nail bed
- Infections of the soft tissue surrounding the nail bed
- Warts
- Blisters, also known as vesicular lesions
The research also reveals that chronic compulsive nail biting increases the risk of mouth infection and trauma. It’s no wonder maintaining dental hygiene becomes more challenging among patients with nail-biting disorders.
The American Dental Association (ADA) even warns that biting nails excessively can chip or crack teeth. It can also increase the risk of rotations, root resorption, and tooth loss. And you’re more likely to develop notched teeth because of this oral-fixation habit.
Richard Scher, MD, an expert on nail disorders at Weill Cornell Medical College and a member of the American Academy of Dermatology, explains why fingernail biting is bad news for your smile in an interview with Time magazine: “Constant biting can lead to poor dental occlusion, so the biter’s teeth shift out of position or become oddly shaped. Biters also suffer from higher rates of gum disease and infection.”
Causes of nail biting
Habitual nail biting develops from pent-up feelings of tension. Numerous studies suggest that children or adults who are stressed, frustrated, nervous, embarrassed, hungry, or bored resort to nail biting for relief.
The International Journal of Women’s Dermatology study supports this and confirms that different stressors, including school problems and family dysfunction, can lead to biting nails impulsively. “The exacerbation can be explained by underlying anxiety, creating a feed-forward impulsive behaviour that helps soothe the patient.”
More research reveals that chewing nails isn’t just a nervous habit. Genetic components and underlying psychiatric conditions are also factors. Fingernail biting can even be a form of attention-seeking or a sign of perfectionism.
In a study for the Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry, principal investigator and author Kieron O’Connor explains:
“We believe that individuals with these repetitive behaviours may be perfectionistic, meaning that they are unable to relax and perform tasks at a normal pace. They are, therefore, prone to frustration, impatience, and dissatisfaction when they do not reach their goals. They also experience greater levels of boredom.”
It’s wise to consult a professional to pin down the reasons behind your nail-biting habit.
Ways to prevent nail biting in kids
Biting or picking at nails, chewing on objects like pencils or clothing, teeth grinding, or thumb sucking are some common habits kids develop.
According to the Australian Department of Social Services, these are usually nothing to worry about, as they can be comforting or alleviate boredom. Most of these also go away over time. Still, you’ll want to keep an eye on them to determine if they pose a risk to your child’s health or get in the way of everyday activities.
These habits can also become compulsive behaviours later in life or cause infection or injury. Nail biting or chewing on objects that might break or have sharp points can result in trauma to the oral cavity, for example.
Should you need to nip them in the bud, here are a few tips on breaking these habits in kids:
Find the causes and address them.
What are the triggers for your child’s nail-biting habit? Observe their behaviour and try to talk to them about what might be causing it.
Maybe they bite their fingernails out of boredom or because they have too much energy during sit-down activities like watching television. Give them something else to do with their hands. They can play with a toy or try hand games, which would also help improve dexterity.
If anxiety triggers the habit, explore the reasons for your child’s insecurity. Offer confidence-boosting tips and talk about your own experiences and how you dealt with anxiety in your own life.
Identify related habits.
Does your child bite their fingernails while twirling or pulling their hair? Does the habit start with your kid picking at their lips before moving on to nail biting?
Observe which behaviours occur at the same time as or lead to nail biting. Stopping one habit may also prevent its paired behaviour.
Gently discourage nail biting and other poor oral habits.
Explain to your child why biting their nails or chewing on random objects is a bad idea. Tell them about possible consequences, not just for dental and nail health but also for spreading germs.
When you catch them in the act, try not to sound impatient, frustrated, or angry. Gently remind them that the behaviour is a bit yucky or inappropriate, then ask them to stop biting their nails.
Quit your bad habits.
Are you a nail biter yourself? Maybe you chew on the ends of your pens when in thought. Don’t forget that your children will often model their behaviour on yours because they want to be like you. And if you need help kicking the habit yourself, keep reading.
How to stop nail biting: 5 easy lifestyle changes
Researchers recommend a multidisciplinary approach that provides psychosocial, psychiatric, dermatologic, and dental care to break your nail-biting habit. The ADA suggests wearing bitter-tasting nail polish and holding something to keep your fingers busy. You can also reduce stress by setting small, realistic goals.
It’s still a good idea to consult an expert for a solution that addresses the root of your concern. Until then, you can turn to these lifestyle changes to help you escape the clutches of your nail-biting habit:
Practise mindfulness.
Identify emotions that lead you to bite your nails to make diverting your attention to other forms of stress management easier. Consider writing a list of your urges to train your mind to hold back on the impulse to bite. Pay attention to your breathing. Expand your awareness so you make more conscious decisions to do activities beyond fingernail biting.
Keep your hands occupied.
If you find your hands scrambling, have a stress ball or fidget toy handy to keep your fingers from your mouth. Consider wearing gloves, weather permitting. Your hands can have a mind of their own, so when you bite into wool or cotton instead of nails, it will be a good reminder.
Seek support.
Share your goal of quitting the habit of nail biting with trusted friends or family. A support system encourages accountability and motivates you to stick to your goals. Don’t be afraid to seek the help of a mental health professional if the cause runs deeper than a physical habit. In any case, remember that you’re not alone.
Treat yourself to a manicure.
What better way to keep you from wreaking havoc on your nails than to pamper them with a full manicure and hand spa? Get creative with acrylics. Pick the hottest shade of polish. You’ll be less willing to damage your freshly manicured hands with your nail-nipping habit.
Get regular dental checkups.
Routine dental checkups are crucial in maintaining oral health. They’re also particularly important for those who bite their nails. Your dentist can inspect for damage related to your biting and help you curb your habit for the sake of your teeth.
Of course, dental professionals can help you address those negative effects and regain your confident smile.
For example, if the habit has led your teeth to move and shift into improper places, they can recommend orthodontic solutions like ClearCorrect. These dental aligners treat dental misalignments discreetly and comfortably.
The consequences of nail biting may seem minor, but they extend beyond your hand’s reach. So, nip the harmful behaviour stat. Begin by setting small goals for yourself; not everyone can quit cold turkey. Developing healthy habits takes time – go day by day!
References:
American Dental Association. (n.d.-a). 6 habits that harm your teeth (and how to break them). Mouthhealthy.org.
Department of Social Services, Australian Government. Children’s habits. raisingchildren.net.au.
Do you bite your nails? Don’t worry, it’s a sign of perfectionism. (n.d.).
Heid, M. (2014, July 2). You asked: Is biting your nails dangerous — or just gross? TIME.
Sachan, A., & Chaturvedi, T. (2012). Onychophagia (Nail biting), anxiety, and malocclusion. Indian Journal of Dental Research, 23(5), 680.
Siddiqui, Javed & Qureshi, Shazia. (2020). Onychophagia (Nail Biting): an overview. Indian Journal of Mental Health. 7. 97-104. 10.30877/IJMH.7.2.2020.97-104.
Maráz, A., Hende, B., Urbán, R., & Demetrovics, Z. (2017). Pathological grooming: Evidence for a single factor behind trichotillomania, skin picking and nail biting. PLOS ONE, 12(9), e0183806.
