Q: Is nail-biting bad for your teeth?

A: Unfortunately, yes. Nail-biting and finger-biting are habits for thousands of adults and children, but doesn't mean they are good habits. Any activity that involves holding teeth in an unnatural position for extended periods increases the possibility of injury to the jaw joints, also called the temporo-mandibular joints (TMJs). Over time, nail-biting and finger-biting will aggravate jaw muscles, which can cause pain and an imbalance in the TMJs. If the habit begins in a young child, it can contribute to development of a gap between the front teeth. A person who bites nails or fingers, may also be prone to picking at their gums. Some dentists and physicians recommend putting a non-toxic but unpleasant tasting lotion of peppers on fingers. Others recommend putting a bandage on the finger to serve as a reminder. It's a good idea to come up with some strategy to help stop the habit. Otherwise, treatment may be necessary to straighten teeth, and alleviate pain from a TMJ problem.

Presented as a service to the community by Peter A. Tzendzalian, DDS