sporting event is a “nail biter,” that means it leaves sports fans on the edge of their seats. But as legit as that may sound, and as much as we may speak of “nail biting” as a common response to “nerves,” the fact is that chronic nail biting — also known by its clinical name, onychophagia – can damage the fingers, the teeth, and the psyche, and can introduce bacterial infections and other disease vectors into one’s body (via Cleveland Clinic). Moreover, a 2020 research paper published in the International Journal of Women’s Dermatology suggests that chronic nail biting is associated, possibly as a causal matter, with subpar dental hygiene (because “teeth may become chipped or notched, and gums may become inflamed”).
It can be difficult to know who out there is a chronic nail biter, but one celebrity who has admitted to it — on repeat — is actress Paget Brewster. “I’m trying so hard to grow my nails but that third finger is a damn disaster,” Brewster tweeted in 2015, along with a photo of her hand, which showed every nail bitten to the quick. So admirable is Brewster’s attempt to nip the biting habit in the bud that we can’t help but root for her with our custom hashtag: #NailItPaget
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