Are you a nail biter? You’re not alone, but that doesn’t mean that you aren’t doing damage to your teeth and your overall health! Read on to find out 5 reasons why biting your nails is bad for your teeth.
1. Chronic nail biting can wear down your teeth over time, causing the enamel to wear out and creating uneven biting surfaces. By putting stress on the front teeth (those normally used for biting nails, you can cause them to become misaligned.
2. Your nails are an ideal location for bacteria to thrive. Potentially pathogenic bacteria like Salmonella and E. coli, along with other bacteria, can easily be transferred to your mouth and the rest of your body through nail biting. This can lead to infections that can affect your overall health.
3. Biting your nails is also bad for your jaw, as it can contribute to Temporomandibular (TM) disorder, which causes jaw pain, headaches, and locking and popping of the jaw. According to the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD), people who bite their nails are also at greater risk for bruxism, or teeth grinding.
4. Biting your nails will also cost you money. According to the AGD, people who bite their nails pay an average of $4,000 in additional dental bills over their lifetime than people who do not bite their nails.
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