Dental Monthly
APRIL 2025 edition #45
“I only bite my nails every now and then…”
Doc: “I can see from your teeth that you suffer from Onychophagy.”
Patient: “I what…?!”
Doc: “That is Non-Suicidal Self-Injury, or NSSI.”
Patient: “Wait a minute, I am only biting my nails!!”
Doc: “It still is like deliberately hurting your own body, comparable to cutting or burning yourself. It is a harmful way to cope with emotional pain, intense anger but also negative stress or concentration, and it is therefore classified as an abnormal compulsion toward self-mutilation.”
Patient: “Sounds really awful. Just biting nails, I tell you….”
Doc:” Indeed, which is called Onychophagy, right? And is considered a pathological oral habit and grooming disorder characterized by chronic, seemingly uncontrollable nail-biting which is also extended to the cuticles.”
Patient :”.. if you say so.”
Doc: “I like to add that, because such behaviours are not considered socially acceptable it is therefore usually hidden from others.”
Patient: “I am getting depressed now. Better give me some good news too.”
Doc: “Well, the good news is a Dentist can help!”
At Studio Moll we approach people complaining about their jagged or razor sharp, filled down front teeth with a multidisciplinary treatment of nail-biting, after we have excluded Bruxism and Erosion.
Even though the nails are so much softer than tooth enamel, chronic Nail-biting damages the front teeth, just like compulsively biting on pencils or other objects.
There are 4 different treatments we combine to eliminate this traumatic behaviour.
1/ Prosthetic options that restore the aesthetics of the damaged teeth and would also make the biting impossible. We do warn the nailbiter NOT to continue happily biting on the more posterior teeth.
2/ So therefore, it is in combination with the application of a bitter tasting nail polish to prevent the biter from putting their fingers in their mouth.
3/ Furthermore, it is essential to reduce the excessive force on the teeth. To do that we propose BOTOX treatment of the big muscles in our cheeks. This protects the newly made prothesis from breaking.
4/ Substitute the nail biting with chewing gum. But….with moderation, otherwise I will be writing the next Dental Monthly about the Damage of Chewing gum!!!
Reference Dental Monthly Articles
BIO
Studio Moll Contact Details and Social Media
Whatsapp: 331-6368628 | Tel: 055-755347
www.dental-studiomoll.com | info@dental-studiomoll.com
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By Dr. Elena Speranza Moll
Studio Moll
Via Amilcare Ponchielli 21B, 50018 Scandicci –Firenze
Tel: 055-755347
WhatsApp: 331-6362682
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