Up to 40 percent of children, as well as many adults, bite their nails. While this habit isn’t very sanitary, it can also cause dental problems. According to the Academy of General Dentistry, nail biters could end up with dental bills of over $4000. Damage frequently occurs to front teeth because they are not made for the constant chewing that accompanies nail biting.

If you bite your nails, you can face various dental issues, including:

Wear and tear on front teeth

Because the enamel was not created to withstand constant pressure or chewing, nail biting can cause fracture lines in your teeth. If the damage becomes extensive, your dentist may need to place composite restorations or even porcelain crowns to rejuvenate your smile.

Root re-sorption

When you bite your nails and wear braces, your risk for root resorption, or shortening of the tooth roots. Since the braces are already exerting force on the teeth, nail biting creates additional stress. Over time, the roots can become so short that your teeth loosen and fall out.

Gum ulcerations

Chewing off pieces of your nails can result in injury to your gums if sharp pieces of your finger nails scratch gum tissue.

Infections

With nail biting, you can spread bacterial infections from the fingers to other parts of the body and vice versa.

For many people, nail biting is a subconscious habit. Paying attention to your actions and curbing your behavior can help you stop this destructive habit. Other tips for dealing with nail biting include keeping nails trimmed, applying a bitter polish to nails, finding releases for stress, wearing gloves or bandages. Talk with your orthodontist or dentist for additional suggestions as well.

Approximately 10 percent of adults clench or grind their teeth. Symptoms of clenching and grinding, also called bruxism, include headaches, jaw pain, and cracks in teeth. If you or a family member grinds your teeth, you can cause serious damage and discomfort.

These facts about bruxism will help you learn more about this condition:

You can hurt more than just your teeth.

Most of the time, clenching and grinding is mild. In more severe cases, you can aggravate the jaw joints and cause TMJ-like symptoms. Mention any concerns you have to your orthodontist or dentist so that you can get proper treatment.

Bruxism and stress are connected.

Feeling anxious or frustrated may contribute to bruxism. Currently, no one has identified all the factors that make people grind or clench their teeth. Certain competitive behaviors or personality types may increase the chance of teeth grinding.

It can happen at any age.

Though you may not have issues with bruxism, you could develop them at any point in your life. In fact, children typically grind their teeth more than adults. Usually, they out grow bruxism by adolescence.

You may not realize you have an issue.

Because bruxism often occurs while you sleep, many people don’t realize a problem exists. Earaches, headaches, unexplained facial pain, or tenderness around the jaw joints could indicate issues with clenching and grinding.

Treatment is available.

Often, bruxism is mild enough that you don’t need treatment. If you do need therapy, your orthodontist or dentist can fit you for a mouth guard, a plastic appliance that covers teeth and eliminates damage from bruxism.

Dental checkups may never make anyone’s Top Ten list, but they don’t have to cause stress or anxiety. Even if you need repair work, your dentist can keep you comfortable during your procedure. With a little preparation, you can have a successful visit and protect your smile long-term.

I am not having any pain. Why do I need to schedule an appointment?

Though your teeth may look fine on the outside, some issues can occur with very few symptoms. Gum disease and tooth decay can develop with mild signs, progressing quietly until they create serious problems.

What can I do to get ready?

Depending on the reason for your visit, you may need to plan on additional time for your appointment. If you haven’t seen a dentist recently, you will probably need a full set of X-rays. As well, the hygienist or dentist will want to take a complete medical history. Make sure to bring your insurance information and confirm coverage before the visit to save time.

Are there any techniques to make my visits more pleasant?

Dental advances provide many options so that patients feel at ease during their time in the dental chair. Sedation choices like nitrous oxide and oral conscious sedation can help individuals who experience dental anxiety. Laser dentistry has the advantages of reduced bleeding, pain and swelling and faster healing. CEREC technology enables dentists to design and mill a custom restoration during one appointment.

Do I really need a checkup every six months?

Routine visits are a key element in preventive care. These appointments enable your dentist to monitor your oral health and look for potential problems such as tooth decay, gum disease, and even oral cancer. Finding issues early allows the dentist to correct the problem before it escalates and causes more damage.

You need solid dental knowledge to keep your smile looking its best. Most people know about the importance of brushing, flossing, and seeing the dentist regularly. While these basics are important, the following fun factoids offer a different perspective on dentistry.

• Plaque is made up of more than 600 types of bacteria.
• According to the Academy of General dentistry, the average person only brushes 50 to 75 seconds instead of the recommended two minutes.
• Sir Isaac Newton has the distinction of having the most valuable tooth. One of his teeth was sold in London for $3,633.00 in 1816; in today’s terms, that is $35,700.
• To celebrate Prince William’s wedding to Kate Middleton, one British man had their images tattooed on his front teeth.
• Though the average woman smiles about 62 times a day, the average man only flashes his pearly whites about eight times day.
• Red toothbrushes are less popular than blue ones.
• During ancient times, toothpicks were made of silver, gold, bones, or quills.
• A snail has about 25,000 teeth on its tongue.
• Chocolate causes less tooth decay than raisins or dried fruit because it doesn’t stick to teeth or stay on your teeth’s surface as long.
• When you are right-handed, you usually chew food on the right side of your mouth and vice versa.
• Tooth decay is the second most common disease in the United States, following the common cold.
• Over a lifetime, the average American spends 38.5 total days brushing teeth.
• Famously known as a Western Gunslinger, Doc Holliday was also a practicing dentist.

Choose Manteca Dental Care in Manteca, California. Family and Cosmetic Dentistry – Rick Van Tran, DDS