SAY ‘NO!’ TO NAIL BITING
Biting your nails can also force your teeth to move. Repeated pushing and pressure causes teeth to shift, resulting in problems with your bite or gaps in your teeth. Another serious issue nail biters may encounter is root resorption, when the jawbone actually reabsorbs the roots of the teeth, weakening them and leaving them vulnerable to falling out. If you have braces and bite your nails, you’re even more susceptible to resorption. All this, and we haven’t even talked about bacteria yet! Dirt and germs get trapped under
Be Kinder to Your Teeth
Nail biting is a widespread habit. Researchers estimate that one-third of the world’s population, including nearly half of all teenagers, bites their nails. Many believe this compulsive behavior arises from stress or boredom, but even though it’s been studied extensively, there are no concrete explanations for why so many humans do it regularly. What we do know, however, are plenty of concrete reasons why it’s important to break this habit. It might seem like your teeth are much stronger than your fingernails. In the short term, this is true because your teeth easily chomp and tear through your nails. But over time, your teeth will fall victim to the habit as the friction results in chipping, cracking, and gradual erosion. That means excessive biting can wear enamel away, leaving your teeth vulnerable to decay.
our fingernails no matter how clean we try to keep them. So when we put our fingers in our mouth, that bacteria transfers to our teeth and gums and may cause periodontal disease or other illnesses. If you’re a nail biter trying to break the habit, there are some simple solutions. Try trimming your nails regularly so there’s nothing to bite. You can also paint your nails with polish or coat them with bitter substances to deter yourself from biting. If you think stress is causing you to engage in this vice, keep a stress ball nearby and grab it instead of giving in to the biting urge. Keep your teeth and nails healthy by keeping them away from each other. You’ll avoid potentially expensive damage, and breaking the habit will help you find more productive reactions to stress and boredom.
Have a Laugh
Rhubarb Cake
Nature’s favorite tart vegetable — yes, rhubarb is a vegetable! — is in season once again. Celebrate rhubarb season with this simple, delicious cake.
Ingredients • 2 1/4 cups white sugar, divided • 1 tsp baking soda • 1/2 tsp salt • 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, divided
• 2 eggs, beaten • 1 cup sour cream • 3 cups rhubarb stalks, diced • 1/4 cup butter, softened
Directions 1. Heat oven to 350 F. Grease and flour a 9x13-inch baking dish. 2. In a large bowl, combine 1 1/4 cups sugar, baking soda, salt, and 2 cups flour. 3. Stir in eggs and sour cream until smooth. 4. Fold in rhubarb and add mixture to the prepared baking dish. 5. In a small bowl, combine 1 cup sugar and butter until smooth. 6. Stir in 1/4 cup flour until mixture is crumbly. 7. Sprinkle mixture on top of cake batter and bake for 45 minutes. 8. Let cake cool for 5–10 minutes and serve.
Inspired by The Minimalist Baker
Huron Smiles • 605-352-8753 • 3
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