5 Horrific Things All Nail-Biters Need to Know

It's bad for your teeth

Biting your nails makes your teeth work overtime—all day. It can cause your bite to become misaligned and puts you at a higher risk for unintentional grinding.

It costs you money

Once suffering the dental repercussions of nail biting, you'll most likely turn to a dentist for help. And, hate to break it to you, but dental work generally equals big money. According to the Academy of General Dentistry, nail biters spend an average of $4,000 more on dental bills in their lifetime. #$*#&@%

It can make you sick

Your hands are coated with the worst kind of bacteria. (Say it with us: ewwww.) Biting your nails introduces them into your mouth and gut, which can cause gastrointestinal infections (gross). Furthermore, if you swallow large amounts of nail polish, it can be bad news for your kidneys, lungs, and nervous system.

Your fingers will hurt

Biting your nails leads to small tears in the skin of your fingers, and these may lead to inflammation or infection.

It can spread warts

Well, if you weren't convinced you should be by now. The virus that causes warts is a common infection for nail biters. Once there, the virus can spread to your lips and mouth. (So stop chewing at those talons.)

Simedar Jackson is an esthetician, content creator, and lover of sci-fi fiction living in Brooklyn, New York. She is passionate about creating space for Black and Brown people in the beauty and wellness industries by providing access to culturally nuanced education and services that meet their needs. You can find them doing their skincare routine, reminding friends to reapply SPF, and watching reruns of Love Island.