Can Biting Your Nails Give You Cancer

Beauties, we've already discussed nail and cuticle biting, but did you know there is some other nervous nibbling habit? Lip and cheek bitter. Gnawing on the inside of the cheeks is more common than you'd think. From accidental to chronic, there are a diverseness of reasons why biting can occur. So nosotros chatted with Thomas P. Connelly, D.D.S., to find out the dangers of this bad dazzler habit—and how to stop!

As a top New York City-based cosmetic dentist, Dr. Connelly sees a lot of cheek biting. "Cheek biting is the chewing of one'southward inner mouth, which sometimes can include lips and tongue," says Dr. Connelly. "There are several causes of cheek biting, but sometimes information technology'south merely accidental." Ever try to chat while eating and cease up nipping your lip or cheek? That careless—and often painful!—mishap is what he is talking about. Dr. Connelly says another reason for cheek noshing is misalignment. When your teeth aren't in the correct position, it tin pb to chronic cheek chewing, which can exist problematic. A lot of the time, the compulsive habit is but "nervous lip and cheek biting that'southward akin to bitter ane's nails," he says.

And just how harmful is this nibbling? "Bitter i's cheeks often leaves sores, which can exist unsafe if they go infected," says Dr. Connelly. That is in extreme cases. Most of the fourth dimension, "chronic soreness is probably the virtually harm," he says. This discomfort is similar to when you bite your nails downwardly too close to the skin. Not to mention, an open up lesion will burn when you eat acidic, salty, or spicy foods, making daily munching a painful experience. Dr. Connelly too explains that while he has heard of rima oris lesions sometimes being a cause of oral cancer, he doesn't believe that any studies have proven that cheek biters may be more susceptible to cancer. "Any chronic mouth lesion could develop cancer over the long term, simply the research and final word are spotty."

Fixing this habit involves techniques similar to those used to cure blast biting. "The solution may be some kind of substitute or training that eliminates the habit," says Dr. Connelly. "Attempt chewing sugarless gum to proceed your mouth decorated. Or if you are a lip biter, opt for a flavored lip lotion or gloss. The sense of taste will make yous aware every fourth dimension yous chomp downwardly." The good news: Just like your fingertips, "once you stop biting, your mouth will heal itself," assures Dr. Connelly.