TMJ from biting nails?

Question

My husband has a nail biting habit. His jaw is starting to make a clicking sound and I say it's from biting his nails. It doesn't hurt him but I wonder if it can lead to worse problems. Anyone have this happen?

Answer 1

I don't know if it can lead to any problems but if you're concerned, I suggest you try to make him stop biting his nails. You could make him wear tape on his fingers at home :)

Answer 2

Biting involves the front teeth + the jaw muscles. It's 'pulling' after biting that's causing the 'clicking'. Not likely the nail-biting, but more likely a misalignment of the jaws caused over time from the biting/pulling. He will probably develop headaches & other eating problems in his future if he doesn't change this habit; careful: hubbies generally don't heed a wife's well-meaning words in such instances (there's some deeper reason he's nail-biting...).

Check out this free article on TMJ:

http://www.totlhealth.com/tmjproblems.ht...

And good luck to him (and to you)! :)

Answer 3

My friend Davey got TMJ from biting his toenails too much.  It was a shame.  

Answer 4

when you bite your nails your mouth clinches. its up to him if he wants to stop or deal with the pain of tmj. just like eating your jaw is moving, i dont believe it does anything worse. he should try to stop so it doesnt aggravate it more  

Answer 5

If he puts f***s under his nails each day, he would stop biting his nails.

Answer 6

His jaw is clicking from teeth grinding at night.  Most likely whatever is making him stressed at night is causing the nail biting as well.  You might talk to your General practitioner about stress reduction in his life.  Has their been much stress in his work, finances or family life?  if there has, removing some of the stress might remove his need to nail bite or grind his teeth at night.  

If the stress cannot be removed you might try a drug like paxil to level off his 'edge' or meditation, acupressure or acupuncture.  

As far as I know, no one has ever had permanent damage from nail biting.  

Answer 7

Tell him to suck his thumb.  This will help.