Frequent Nail Biting Can Cause Bruxism
June 17th, 2008 - 1 Comment - Category: Precautions and Treatments
Experts are of the opinion that frequent nail biting can lead to what is termed as “Bruxism”. Researchers from the Academy of General Dentistry explain that people who bite their nails on account of stress or chew on pencils out of fear and anxiety or clench their jaws during a game or competition are at a far greater risk of developing bruxism.
What is Bruxism?
Bruxism is when a person begins to unintentionally grind the teeth which can lead to facial pain. Experts also opine that “bruxers” as they are commonly called can land up biting too hard in the most unpredictable times like in sleep.
Experts believe that bruxism can be easily dealt with when consulted by a dentist. The common signs of discomfort experienced by most bruxers are – tension in the muscles, pain in the jaws, headaches and way too sensitive teeth. It is also assumed that aggressive biting at other times, that is, when a person is not eating, can also lead to the jaw line to shift.
Treatments for Bruxism
Once your dentist identifies a case of bruxism, he or she may recommend the following treatments for you:
- Learning to rest your tongue upwards with your teeth apart and without opening your mouth.
- Your dentist may also suggest a plastic mouth appliance for you or a night guard as the experts call it in order to prevent forceful biting or any further damage of your teeth and that which will sort of help in getting rid of the habit.
Dentists are of the opinion that the very act of “recognizing your problem” can help you overcome the discomfort and pain caused to your teeth, gums and jaws by your unintentional habit of grinding your teeth.
It has also been speculated that if a case of bruxism is left unattended, it can cause severe damage to the teeth and gums caused by the unintentional grinding of the teeth (a result of nail biting), usually at night, in the absence of the person’s full conscience.
Regular check-ups with the dentist can certainly help in identifying a case of bruxism which results from frequent nail biting. Some common signs of bruxism include – flat tooth tips, extremely sensitive teeth, clicking jaws and a cut, notch or mark on the tongue.
One Response to “Frequent Nail Biting Can Cause Bruxism”
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December 26th, 2008 at 6:59 pm
So this would mean if i have bruxism and bite nail i should first try to stop biting the nails and it could cure the bruxism?