What’s so bad about nail biting?

We’ve all heard that biting your nails is an awful habit, but you many wonder- really- what’s so bad about it? Recently, our team at Marble Hill Orthodontics found an interesting article that discusses how biting your nails affect your teeth and oral health.

Nail biting, also known as Onychophagia, is a common habit among various age groups, including primarily children, teens and young adults. Nail biting is generally triggered by stress and most often decreases with age. That being said, nail biting is unsanitary, unattractive, as well as unhealthy for your teeth!

Here’s why:

• It’s unsanitary. Your nails are dirty, almost twice as dirty as your fingers! Hence, biting your nails is just asking for germs and bacteria.
• No good things come to your teeth. Nail biting causes your teeth to constantly be chewing, which is not good for them. This excessive motion wears your teeth down faster than a non-nail biter’s and puts a large amount of stress on your front teeth- contributing to teeth misalignment.
• Braces don’t love it either. Braces already put pressure on teeth, nail biting ads unnecessary pressure, further stressing your teeth and weakening their roots.
• It can be costly. Nail biting can result in up to $4,000 in additional dental bills over one lifetime, according to the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD). Yikes!

What can you do about it?

Now that you know how harmful nail biting can be, it’s time to take action to break your nail biting habit. Try to be conscious of your fingernails and to keep them looking good- this will help you resist the temptation. Ask Dr. Jiorle or visit the article for tips on how to break a nail biting habit.
Good luck!

Meet Our Orthodontist

Dr. Jiorle is a native of Lopatcong Twp., New Jersey and is a graduate of Phillipsburg High School where he earned varsity letters in Football, Wrestling, and Track and Field. He continued his education at the University of Notre Dame and was accepted at Fairleigh Dickinson University School of Dentistry in 1974 after 3 years of study. Dr. Jiorle received his D.M.D. degree in 1978 and practiced general dentistry in Clifton, New Jersey for a year. Dr. Jiorle returned to Fairleigh Dickinson for his post-doctoral training and was awarded a Specialty Certificate of Training in Orthodontics in 1981. He completes 20+ hours of continuing education each year in order to keep current with the latest orthodontic techniques and procedures. Dr. Jiorle has been creating beautiful faces and smiles in Warren, Hunterdon and Northampton counties since 1981.

Dr. Jiorle is a member of several professional organizations including the American Dental Association, New Jersey Dental Association, Tri-County Dental Association, American Association of Orthodontists, Middle Atlantic Society of Orthodontists, New Jersey Association of Orthodontists and the Central Jersey Orthodontic Study Club.

Dr. Jiorle and his wife, Mary Ann, have four children: Lauren, is a dentist practicing in Hamilton, New Jersey; Leah, is selling real estate in Frederick, Maryland; Marc, will be a senior at the University of Notre Dame; and Matthew, will be a sophomore at Virginia Tech. In his spare time, Dr. Jiorle enjoys gardening, golf, fixing things around the house and spending time with his family at the New Jersey Shore.