About Biting Nails

The habit of biting one's nails often begins at a very young age and becomes a lifelong pattern that is hard to break. It affects nearly half of all children and is a leading habit disorder among adults. There are many drawbacks and adverse effects that come from biting one's nails, according to Nebraska dentist Dan Peterson. Stopping nail biting is a difficult thing to do, but having strong, beautiful nails will be worth the effort.

Types

• There are different types of nail biters. Some individuals form the habit at a young age, and it has been ingrained as a pattern over a long period of time. It is something they do without a conscious effort. It is merely an ingrained tendency. Others bite their nails out of boredom. Like tapping your fingers or jingling your keys, it is something to do to break the monotony and keep your hands occupied. Still others chew their nails as a nervous habit when they are anxious or frightened. It is a natural human reaction to draw your hands to your face when you are scared or nervous, so it becomes easy to bite your nails when they are near the mouth already.

Sickness

• Nail biters are prone to picking up illnesses and infections more than non-nail biters. The hands carry more outside germs than any other part of the body. Throughout the day, they are always in contact with outside sources and hotbeds of bacteria, like door handles, cell phones or areas of the bathroom. When most people wash their hands, they are unable to cleanse thoroughly under the nails. Individuals who bite their nails are transferring germs directly from their hands to their mouths where the germs can be absorbed into the mucus membranes and result in a cold, flu or other communicable illness.

Effects on the Teeth

• When an individual bites his nails, they are not only harming the nails but also his teeth, according to Peterson. The teeth are the strongest elements in the body, but they are not immune to damage. The enamel on the teeth can become weak and worn down and in some cases may even chip. The gums can become inflamed and injured by sharp nail edges. In particularly severe cases, a nail biter may experience a condition called root resorption, in which the roots of the teeth become shorter. When this happens, the teeth may loosen from the sockets and eventually fall out.

Hand Infection

• While most people are aware that nail biting can transfer infections from the hands to the mouth, the process can actually go the other way around. Bacteria in the mouth can enter a cut around the nail bed and cause an infection around the nail and cuticle or even spread to the entire finger.

Permanent Nail Damage

• The most obvious ill effect of constant nail biting is permanent damage to the actual nail bed. It can cause the nail bed to grow back deformed or even cause pits and scarring in the nail that will never grow out, according to an article in Britain's "Daily Mail" newspaper.