Biting nails is a habit that can happen to both kids and adults. If you don't stop this habit as a child, it can become a problem as an adult. What are the reasons for children's tendency to bite their nails, and how can they be discouraged? Please review the following paragraph.

What causes nail-biting in children?

According to Healthline, approximately 30–60% of children like biting their nails. If your child is one of them, they are not alone. There are several factors that contribute to the habit of children biting their nails, such as:

• Children typically eliminate their boredom by looking for something else they may be doing when they feel bored.
• To calm down in reaction to discomfort, tension, or stress. Some kids bite their nails when they get scared, anxious, or upset.
• Provides a sensation of calmness right before sleep. Some children only bite their nails before going to bed in order to induce a sense of peace, which in turn promotes a more restful night's sleep.

How to overcome children's nail biting habit

The practice of children biting their nails is not, in fact, a habit that causes a threat to their health. The majority of the time, this pattern disappears on its own by the time the child reaches the age of primary school. On the other hand, this pattern of behavior can be difficult to change in certain children and may even persist into adulthood.

This behavior can cause damage to children's teeth and nails, even though it is not dangerous. Because of the bacteria that enter the body through the nails, this behavior can also lead to diseases of the digestive tract and fungal diseases.

Here are some things you can do to stop the habit of chewing nails for a longer period of time:

Cut your child's nails regularly

When children bite their nails, they experience a sensation of satisfaction. You can take care of this behavior by cutting his nails regularly or if they appear to be too long and could be bitten. It is also beneficial for children to become habituated to having short nails because this decreases the risk of germs entering the digestive tract through the spaces between the nails.

Provide an alternative to biting

Snacks may also be offered as an alternative to nails for biting. In addition to being nutritious, snacks may help satisfy the nutritional requirements of children. To prevent the development of obesity in children, it is possible to avoid providing them with treats that are high in sugar. Instead, give vegetable spears, such as boiled carrot sticks or potatoes.

Change your child's attention

Young children often find themselves biting their nails as a method to occupy their fidgety little fingers. Giving your child a stress ball to squeeze or another anxiety-relieving item will help redirect his attention and keep his hands busy if this happens frequently. Instead of gnawing their nails, kids can concentrate on playing with these toys.

Explain the adverse impacts

It is crucial for parents to educate their children about the risks of nail biting, including the spread of bacteria and germs into the mouth, the degeneration of teeth, and the untidiness of nails. You may also provide rewards for your child to gradually cease this habit.

Children who frequently bite their nails may be exhibiting symptoms of an anxiety problem. If that previous approach proves ineffective in stopping this habit, you can either visit a doctor or make use of the consultation features that are available in the Ai Care application by downloading the Ai Care application from the App Store or Play Store.

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