Dentist warns of ageing habit that can give you a 'smile that looks older than you are'

This is according to Dr Tony Taunk of dental solutions experts Implant Perfection. He explained the seemingly harmless habit could alter your appearance more than you realise.

He said: “Lots of people bite their nails and it’s an incredibly common habit, but many of them won’t realise the long-term damage it can do.

“The pressure of biting down on the nail can damage the front teeth, wearing down their enamel and leading to misalignment and gaps over time.

“Nail biting can accelerate enamel damage, natural wear and tear and receding gums, so it is certainly an everyday habit that can make us look older. It is also linked to teeth-grinding, which wears down teeth and can contribute to headaches and jaw problems.

“Older people tend to have more worn-down teeth thanks to decades of chewing and biting, while younger people don’t tend to have the same level of natural wear and tear."

If left untouched, changes in teeth over time can be a big indicator of age, with one of the main giveaways being stains and discolouration from years of coffee, wine, tobacco and other damaging habits.

Dr Taunk explained: “Our smiles are one of the key features people notice about us, and even the smallest issue can make a difference to our appearance. As we get older, our gums naturally recede, and this can cause the tooth’s root to be more visible when we smile.

“Another natural effect of getting older is our teeth tend to get more discoloured thanks to years of enamel thinning and more exposure of dentin, the yellowish tissue that’s at the core of teeth.

“Nail biting can certainly accelerate enamel damage, leading to a smile that looks older than it is.”

Indeed, a 2021 study with King's College London and collaborators found darker or yellower teeth were associated with higher perceived age. They also prompted more negative social judgments.

Nail biting, known as onychophagia, is something many people do without thinking, either out of habit or during stressful situations.

Beyond its impact on teeth and appearance, the expert highlighted there are further health risks from biting nails.

He said: “Aside from the appearance aspect, biting our nails can also lead to serious illnesses and, of course, long-term damage to the nail. Bacteria gets transferred from the fingertips and nails to the mouth, and this heightens the risk of issues such as stomach bugs, colds and salmonella.”