Metal Mouth Message Board

Ok I’m a newbie, I'm 27 and getting braces on the 7th. I'm dealing with 3 spacers right now and I’m convinced that they're the work of some serious evil. I know, I know, I’m just getting started....

My odd question, I've had the nasty habit of biting my finger nails basically since I first got teeth. I've read and been told that getting braces makes it almost impossible to bite your nails. It would be great to kick the habit because it’s just gross but I don't really see how it will be harder to bite my nails with braces on. Does anyone have any experience with this??? Please share if you do, I’m curious if this will be what it takes for me to finally stop and have nice nails!

I think if you are determined enough you will be able to find a way to keep biting your nails. The braces make it more difficult but not impossible. Oh and FYI spacers are the worst...

Dang... knowing me, I'll find a way. I've tried everything I can only hope it will make it less of a unconscious action on my part. Maybe if I have to actively try, I’ll stop. Here’s hoping…

If your teeth hurt as much as mine, you are going to stop biting your nails. I couldn't use a spoon easily for almost a month after my brackets went on because if my top incisors touched anything it was so painful it brought a tear to my eye.

I used to bite the rough parts of my cuticles. Can't do it now because I have turbo bites and my teeth don't meet so I can't get the skin between my teeth. It's probably the ONLY good thing about the turbo bites, lol! I also can't chew gum anymore - also a good thing because I chewed way too much gum before and it gave me jaw clicks and pain. AND... I floss a lot more now. So at least braces do curb some bad habits!

I'm a nail biter too but I havent been able to bite them at all since I got my braces. There's just not enough space between the top and bottom brackets to get my fingers in there! It's definitely a good thing! Fingers crossed for you that you have the same issues!

I'm not a nail biter but just tried it and if I was there is no way in Hell I could pull that off. My teeth don't come together and even if they did I'm afraid the pain would send me over the edge of insanity...which I'm close to now.

im 17 and i am the worst nail biter! i try to grow my nails and cant!
since i got braces i just havent bitten them. i didnt even bother trying!

I am a nail biter. I assumed that I would stop biting my nails as well when I got my braces on. I still did. It wasn't until I wore a rubber band for a crossbite that I stopped because I couldnt open my mouth wide enough without the rubber band stretching too much. I quit biting my nails for oh, around 9 months.
But as soon as those suckers were gone, yeah, i started doing it again. I have been doing it my whole life so it is extremely difficult for me to consciously make myself stop...so I feel ya.