While it’s one of the most common unhealthy habits, fingernail biting is one of the toughest to stop. You can do it anywhere, anytime and you don’t need anything but your fingers to get your fix. The habit, known as onychophagia, is estimated to affect between 20 and 30 percent of the population and can lead to a host of issues.

Additionally, it’s a slow, yet destructive process to other aspects of your mouth, according to Dr. Charles Sutera, a Boston-based dentist. He notes that over time, it can actually dull and flatten your teeth as well. He likens it to the ocean slowly eroding rocks.

How Biting Fingernails Is Bad for Your Health

In this current COVID-19 pandemic climate, it’s important to consider the simple facts about nail biting: it can put you at a higher risk for infection via bacteria or virus.

“One study suggests that 76 percent of people who bite their nails had E. coli in their saliva, compared to 26 percent of non-nail-biters. That’s a significantly higher chance of picking up germs,” Sutera says.

Effective Methods to Stop Nail Biting

At a basic level, Sutera says you can keep your nails short by trimming when needed to reduce the habit and limit tooth wear and tear.

Since nail biting is a parafunctional habit, it’s something that could benefit from treatment with a behavioral therapist versus a dermatologist. These types of habits tend to increase from stress, so reducing that with meditation or other safe mechanisms could help reduce the need/want to bite.

A few other ideas include:

Use a foul-tasting polish:Putting something like Orly’s No-Bite on your nails is a simple way to make them taste bad and build that new mindset.
Focus on one finger at a time:The American Academy of Dermatology suggests that starting with one nail could be more successful. It’s a less overwhelming approach and the singular approach is often more effective with a smaller focus. They suggest going in whichever order makes the most sense to you.
Ask for help from friends:Having a friend or family member call you out every time you bite your nails will help instil the mindset that this is a negative habit. Plus, teaming up with a friend could offer as much as a 95% boost towards reaching your goal.
Chew gum:Chewing gum helps distract and offers something else to satisfy oral inclinations as you gradually stop biting fingernails.
Get a custom mouthguard: Using a custom orthotic mouthguard to block the teeth from biting is a great measure for those who develop TMJ disorder — a possible result of long-term biting.
Other Things to Help with Nail Biting

“The best practice is to establish good habits and maintain them consistently,” Sutera says.

He’s not just talking about a gradual stop, he also means washing hands and using practical precautions. He says washing hands often — at least 20 seconds at a time — can greatly reduce your chance of contracting a virus. (Yes, it can even be more effective than hand sanitizer.)

Link: https://www.askmen.com/fitness/health/how-to-stop-biting-

Hoss Michaels

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