Professionally referred to as onychophagia, nail biting is an oral compulsive habit that nearly 50% of children between the ages of 10 and 18 partake in. Whether it is a behavior associated with stress or just something your child does when they are bored, this seemingly innocent habit can wreak havoc on their teeth and oral health. To protect their smile, try to determine what triggers your child to bite their nails so you can help them stop. In the meantime, read on to learn how nail biting affects your child’s oral health and get tips from a pediatric dentist in Hillsboro on preventing this behavior!
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