On the one hand, no one looks nice when they bite their nails, but on the other hand, many people do. If you don’t want to communicate the impression that you’re having issues in life, you may need to give up this habit.
According to a research published in the American Journal of Orthodontics and Dental Orthopedics, nail biting can be an indication of emotional instability.
Nail biting, also known as onychophagia, is a symptom that you’re tired or agitated, and it can lead to other stressful mouth activities like chewing pencils, biting your lips, or smoking.
“Biting your nails can cause a variety of health problems in addition to being an indicator of quiet tension,” said Dr. Adam Friedman, an associate professor of dermatology at George Washington University.
Infections
If you bite a large piece, you can expose the sensitive skin under the nail to bacteria and other pathogens in the mouth, and there are plenty of them. “Our mouths are full of bacteria, so you can easily get infected,” says Dr. Friedman.
One of the most common forms of infection is paronychia and can cause swelling, redness, pain and purulent lumps.
Inflammation
“The chemical composition of saliva allows fats and other food molecules to break down and although it helps digestion, it can damage the skin and cause inflammation of the fingers. “Similarly, licking the lips can cause cracking because saliva corrodes the skin,” explains Dr. Friedman.
Diseases
Although exposing your fingers to bacteria from your mouth is a bad thing, transmitting bacteria from your fingers to your mouth is probably worse.
“Our hands come in contact with all kinds of debris and pathogens, and sometimes there is dirt stuck under the nails,” explains Dr. Friedman. This can lead to a variety of infections, from the common cold to a serious stomach virus.
Overgrown nails
On the fingers, there is a layer from which all the cells of the nails originate. Bite-related diseases or bites can damage that layer, resulting in chronic ingrown toenails or abnormalities.
Warts on the face
Warts on the hands, feet and other parts of the body are not uncommon. Although it is uncomfortable, it is incomparably worse to appear on the face or neck, and by biting the nails, the infectious material on the nipple can be easily transferred right there.
Tooth problems
Chronic nail biting can deform or destroy the tooth root, causing it to warp. Tooth fractures and gum disease can also occur.
