Crowns, veneers, bonding, orthodontic work: these may be significant investments to restore the health of your teeth or enhance the attractiveness of your smile. If you have had any of these procedures, you should be aware that one of the simplest methods to safeguard your investment is to stop biting your nails.

Isn't it a harmless habit?

Your fingernails are an important part of your hands, as they provide support for the surrounding tissues and help you to pick up and move things. Created from a type of protein (keratin) that is produced and renewed constantly by living skin cells, fingernails also can reflect the state of your health.

If you bite your nails, the appearance of your hands may suffer, especially when your nails are splintered or chipped, your cuticles are bleeding or torn, and the skin around your nails looks chewed. But beyond the unattractiveness of broken nails, several oral health-related problems can arise. These include:

• Damaging crowns, veneers, and bonded teeth
• Creating small fractures in your incisors or the enamel of your front teeth
• Causing problems with orthodontic treatment
• Increasing the potential for gingivitis and ulceration of your gums
• Passing infections between your fingers and mouth
• Spreading oral diseases, such as herpes

Doesn't everyone do it?

Some people bite their nails when they are stressed, worried, or bored, while others simply nibble their nails unconsciously. According to a study published in Psychological Reports, nail biters encompass all ages:

• 28 to 33 percent of children who are 7-10 years old
• 44 percent of adolescents
• 19 to 29 percent of young adults
• 5 percent of older adults

Males are more likely than females to bite their nails (10 percent fewer girls than boys). Also, people with higher levels of intelligence are more likely to bite their nails; this may be because higher levels of responsibility and stress lead to increased tendencies for nail biting.

Breaking the habit: easier said than done?

Nail biting is a fairly common habit, but it may take a conscious effort to break. Keep in mind, it's better to break an unhealthy habit than to break or chip your beautiful teeth and nails!

Replacing an old habit with a new one takes time, patience, and conscious effort. Here are some suggestions to help you be successful:

• Carry an emery board or nail clippers with you.
• Have professional manicures to smooth and improve the look of your nails.
• Use bitter-tasting commercial products on fingernails.
• Wear gloves or bandages.
• Snap a rubber band against your wrist as a reminder to stop nail biting.
• Hold a small stone or play with a small toy, such as a squishy ball.
• Relax more and take regular, deep breaths.
• Do yoga to focus on calming techniques, or do other exercises that require you to use your hands.
• Examine potential reasons for stress or worry, and make changes in your life as needed.
• Ask a family member or friend to remind you if you are biting your nails. Then do something else together!

For more information

If you or your family members have a problem with nail biting, please contact our dental office for some tips on how to safeguard your healthy teeth. Also, you might find the following websites useful:

• American Academy of Dermatology at http://www.aad.org/public/Publications/pamphlets/NailHealth.htm
• Academy of General Dentistry at http://www.agd.org/consumer/topics/cleaning/nailbiters.asp
• "Nail-biting and foreign body embedment: a review and case report" (hodges-16-03.pdf) in Pediatric Dentistry; PDF available at the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry at http://www.aapd.org