Millions of us to it but it’s not smoking, drinking or sun exposure.
Numerous everyday habits can leave you looking older than your years. Smoking, drinking and sun exposure are all widely recognised as ageing your skin and adding years to your appearance, but there is another habit that millions of Britons are guilty of which experts claim is also prematurely ageing them.
While it may not damage your skin to the same extent, this particular habit will cause harm to your mouth and teeth, making your smile appear older. Your smile and teeth are among the first things people notice about you, so it is vital to ensure they are looking their finest.
Dr Tony Taunk, a dentist at Implant Perfection, is urging people to abandon this habit before it is too late.
He said: “Lots of people bite their nails and it’s an incredibly common habit, but many of them won’t realise the long-term damage it can do. The pressure of biting down on the nail can damage the front teeth, wearing down its enamel and leading to misalignment and gaps over time.”
Nail biting is also associated with teeth grinding, which can trigger headaches and complications with your jaw. Dr Taunk said: “Another natural effect of getting older is our teeth tend to get more discoloured thanks to years of enamel thinning and more exposure of dentin, the yellowish tissue that’s at the core of teeth. Nail biting can certainly accelerate enamel damage, leading to a smile that looks older than it is.”
Also referred to as onychophagia, nail biting is frequently connected to a lack of impulse control, and many sufferers are entirely unaware they are doing it. Nail biting is widely regarded as one of the most common stress-related habits, and beyond its cosmetic consequences, it can also pose a genuine risk to your health, reports the Express.
Dr Taunk explained: “Aside from the appearance aspect, biting our nails can also lead to serious illnesses and, of course, long-term damage to the nail. Bacteria gets transferred from the fingertips and nails to the mouth, and this heightens the risk of issues such as stomach bugs, colds and salmonella.”
He went on to say: “Our smiles are one of the key features people notice about us, and even the smallest issue can make a difference to our appearance.
“Nail biting can accelerate enamel damage, natural wear and tear and receding gums, so it’s certainly an everyday habit that can make us look older.”
