Last week on our blog, we talked about how bad nail biting can damage your teeth. The Academy of General Dentistry estimates an extra $4000 in dental costs over a lifetime from what seems like an innocuous bad habit. We shared some of the dirty facts about biting your nails in our post. This week, we're going to help you break that bad habit by sharing some tips we've researched and some we've picked up along the way.
Why People Bite Their Nails
The two main reasons people bite their nails are boredom and stress, but there are several psychological reasons bite their nails too. Nail biting helps some people ease anxiety, for others it may be a compulsion like excessive hand washing, and some people do it out of frustration. No matter the reason for nail biting, it's a habit dentists would love to see more people quit.
Tips for Quitting
Make a Visit to Your Local Drugstore. There are many over-the-counter treatments you can buy that allow you to coat your nails in a solution that tastes awful, but is harmless. There are some that only use plant-based ingredients and even help strengthen your nails while deterring your bad habit.
Keep Your Nails Trimmed Short. If you have less fingernail to bite, you'll bite your fingernails less.
Rubber Band Treatment. Several prominent health websites suggest using a form of behavioral modification to get rid of your nail-biting habit. Wrap a rubber band around your wrist and snap it if you get the urge to bite your nails. We never recommend self-harm, but if you're desperate to stop biting your nails this might be effective.
Pick Up a Hobby to Keep Your Hands Busy. When people quit bad habits like smoking, they often find something to keep them busy. You can do this with your hands if you're trying to stop biting your nails and there are a ton of things you can do to keep your hands busy. Get into building models, painting miniatures, putting puzzles together, knitting, woodwork, paint, draw, work with pottery. You get the picture.
Help Your Friend Quit. If you notice a buddy also has problems biting his or her nails, confide in them that you also share this bad habit. Make a pact to quit together and hold each other accountable.
See a Mental Health Professional or Medical Doctor If You Need Help. If you try to stop biting your nails and don't have success, consider talking to a doctor or mental health professional if you suspect it's a bad habit that helps you cope with stress or anxiety.
Thanks for Reading Our Post!
We hope this week's post is helpful to you or someone you know. Maybe it's a starting point for a getting rid of a bad habit. If you enjoy tips like this, dental news, or fun facts, please like or share our Facebook page!