Patient question: "Is nail biting really that harmful?"

OK, so you know that biting your nails is a bad habit, but many people still wonder: what’s so awful about biting your nails once in a while? Recently, Dr. Trushar Patel and our staff came across an interesting article in the Huffington Post on biting nails and the effect it has on your teeth and oral hygiene.

Not only is nail biting unsanitary, it's also unattractive, unhealthy for your teeth and expensive!

Here’s why:

• It’s unsanitary. Your nails are dirty, almost twice as dirty as your fingers! Hence, biting your nails is just asking for germs and bacteria.

• No good things come to your teeth. Nail biting causes your teeth to constantly be chewing, which is not good those pearly whites. This excessive motion wears your teeth down faster than a non-nail biter’s and puts a large amount of stress on your front teeth, contributing to teeth misalignment.

• It can be costly. Nail biting can result in up to $4,000 in additional dental bills over one lifetime, according to the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD). Really? Yes! Yikes!

Now that you know how harmful nail biting can be, it’s time to take action to break your that pesky habit of biting your nails. Questions? Ask Dr. Patel the next time you're in for a visit.

Beware of Sour Candy on Halloween - Dr. Patel

It's almost Halloween, and Dr. Patel understands sour candy is a part of any Halloween celebration. But while sour candies can be delicious, they are arguably as unhealthy for your teeth as sweet candy. The reason is, sour candies tend to be very acidic, and are capable of burning your cheeks and gums while wearing down the enamel on your teeth.

In 2008, our friends at the Minnesota Dental Association released a study which suggested the amount of acid in sour candies may eat away at tooth enamel and cause cavities. We at 19th Street Dental would like to remind you that if you should experience a craving for sour candies on Halloween or in the future, please:

1. Remember to rinse your mouth with water immediately after consuming candy, drink milk, or eat a couple pieces of cheese.

2. Do not brush immediately after consuming sour candy. The candy's acidic nature tends to soften tooth enamel. Brushing your teeth can mean abrading the enamel.

3. Limit the amount of sour candies that you consume on a daily basis. If you do indulge, remember not to suck or chew on sour candies for long periods of time.

If tooth erosion has already begun, ask us about ways to reduce sensitivity and continue to protect your teeth.

Hope this helps! Dr. Patel and staff wish you a happy and safe Halloween!

Take Dr. Patel's POP QUIZ!

Dr. Patel wants to know, where does all that soda pop go?

On average, the typical person consumes over 50 gallons of soda pop per year! The amount of acid and sugar found in a can of soda can cause serious tooth decay and lead to cavities, gum disease, and even tooth loss!

We at 19th Street Dental know that you don’t want to lose your teeth, so take the soda pop quiz, presented by the Minnesota Dental Association, and learn more about how to keep your smile healthy.

It’s a fun interactive quiz, so enjoy and have a great rest of the week!