We tend to think that this common habit is only harmful to our hands, fingers or stepfingers. In other words, a purely aesthetic (and painful) matter.

However, nail-biting goes much further than that. This bad habit can even affect our health, especially our oral health .

Long-term, compulsive nail-biting can lead to a significant deterioration of the incisors. Continuous chewing can even erode the enamel of the teeth through microtrauma. In some cases, it is even possible to cause chips and fractures in the teeth.

Another of the most notable risks to our mouths are infections. Nails can be the gateway to your body for certain bacteria that can affect your body. Underneath the nails there can be hundreds of bacteria that find their entry point in the mouth.

When we bite our nails, another part of our body that also suffers is our jaw. Biting can take its toll on our temporomandibular joint, even causing difficulty and pain in chewing food. In fact, recent studies claim that there is a link between nail biting and jaw disorders.

Finally, we must take into account the possible halitosis that we can suffer when we bite our nails. The transfer of bacteria from the subungual area to the mouth with the presence of certain bacteria can contribute to the development of halitosis. Especially if an infection has developed.

We are aware that, like other more harmful vices such as smoking or alcohol, nail biting is a habit that is difficult to get rid of.