Will Nail Biting Hurt My Child’s Teeth?

Does your child engage in nail biting when they are nervous or bored? Then you are not alone. In fact, 30% to 60% of school-aged children and 20% of adolescents engage in this behavior. Initially, it may seem like nothing more than a harmless “phase.” However, this destructive habit can lead to a number of dental issues that negatively affect your favorite smile. Read on for how it can impact your child’s oral health, five tips for kicking the habit, and how their dentist can help.

How Nail Biting Can Affect Your Child’s Oral Health

• Poor dental occlusion – Nail biting puts an immense amount of pressure on the jawbone, which can cause teeth to shift out of position or become oddly shaped. In fact, it can even displace a child’s jaw in extreme cases.
• Gum disease and infection – When your child bites their nails, the bacteria, dirt, and debris trapped underneath their fingernails are exposed to their mouth. Not only can this irritate their gums, but the nail itself can get trapped underneath the tissue and lead to infection.
• Broken or chipped teeth – Consistently chewing or tearing off fingernails can leave their teeth vulnerable to chips, cracks, and fractures. It can also damage the enamel and make them susceptible to broken or loose teeth.
• Grinding of molars – If your child engages in nail biting when they are stressed, then their anxiety may be manifesting elsewhere too. That is why many children with this habit also grind or clench their teeth at night.
• Broken brackets – If your child has braces or a retainer, the brackets can be damaged by the pressure from nail biting. This can leave them vulnerable to injuries from the exposed wires and cause delays in their treatment timeline.

5 Tips for Stopping the Behavior

With your favorite smile at stake, it is important to do everything in your power to help your child quit this poor dental habit. Otherwise, it can follow them into adulthood and necessitate a multitude of restorative and cosmetic treatments. Here are five tips to try:

• Avoid triggers that spur your child’s nail biting.
• Help them implement healthy coping skills when they feel stressed.
• Keep their nails trimmed.
• Offer them something else to do with their hands (i.e., a fidget spinner, a stress ball, etc.).
• Use over-the-counter products designed to discourage their behavior.

How Their Dentist Can Help

From thumb sucking to nail biting, there are a variety of poor oral habits that children engage in. Fortunately, their dentist can help treat any minor issues before they turn into large dental concerns. Plus, they can offer solutions that have worked for other patients and help solidify a long-term treatment plan if they have difficulty kicking the habit.

If your child has recently picked up nail biting or has been engaging in the behavior for years, it is important to remain patient. If you need additional support, don’t hesitate to speak with their dentist!

About the Author

After completing her undergraduate degree at the University of Florida, Dr. Maggie Davis earned her Doctor of Dental Medicine at the same institution (where she graduated 4^th in her class)! Today, she is a Board-Certified Pediatric Dentist and a Diplomate in the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, which fewer than 3% of all dentists achieve. If you would like to speak with Dr. Davis about improving your child’s oral health, visit her website or give her a call at 727-786-7551.