Onychophagia is a habit that involves biting your nails normally due to stress. This custom is unsightly and dangerous for the body. Oral health suffers serious consequences.
9 problems that can cause oral health to bite your nails:
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Erosion of tooth enamel
Biting your nails can erode tooth enamel or even crack or fracture them, especially incisors.
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Dental occlusion problems
This habit can interfere with how the mouth closes and the upper teeth fit with the lower ones by displacing the teeth from their place.
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Bruxism and alterations in the Temporo Mandibular Joint (TMJ)
The continuous bite of the nails can affect the Mandibular Temporo Joint (TMJ) causing facial pain, joint noise and bruxism.
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Gingivitis and periodontitis
Hands accumulate a lot of dirt, and especially under the nails. Enterobacteriaceae such as Salmonella or I. Coli are very common between our fingers. Bacteria added to small pieces of nails that can be nailed to the gums or stay between the teeth, can inflame the gums causing Gingivitis and, if aggravated, Periodontitis.
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Retraction of the gums
The gums can also retract by exposing the teeth to an increased risk of subgingival caries.
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Loss of teeth
If Periodontitis is not treated and worsens, it can cause mobility of the tooth and even its loss.
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Halitosis
Also related to periodontitis, as a result of this there is also the appearance of bad breath or halitosis. Even if you do not have infection or inflammation in the gums there can also be halitosis due to the transfer of bacteria to the mouth that can stink.
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Warts in the mouth
Periunguial warts (which appear around and under the nails) can spread inside the mouth by inserting the affected fingers into the mouth.
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Intestinal infections
Germs accumulated on the fingers pass into the digestive system facilitating the appearance of intestinal parasites. Bacteria such as Staphylococcus, Candida and Escherichia Coli, for example, can cause vomiting and diarrhea.