Can biting my nails damage my teeth? – Dental Benefit
While your fingernails may look clean, they can harbor dangerous bacteria such as E. coli and salmonella. Nail-biting and infection can go hand-in-hand because you transmit these bacteria from the fingers to the mouth and gut, where they can cause severe gastrointestinal disorders.
Habitual nail biters can also develop paronychia, a nasty infection of the fingertips that leads to redness, swelling, and pus and requires surgically draining from the nail bed.
In addition: According to the American Dental Association, nail biting can chip or crack teeth. They can also increase the risk of root resorption and tooth loss for people who have braces.
Also, nail biters are more likely to develop bruxism, the unintentional act of grinding the teeth, which can cause headaches, facial pain, recessed gums, tooth sensitivity, and even tooth loss.