How to Break the Nail Biting Habit In Your Child

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Are you wondering how to stop nail biting in your children? Nail biting is a very difficult habit to break. If you suffer from nail biting yourself, or any other undesired habit, then you will know how difficult breaking the nail biting habit in a child really is.

Research has shown that up to 10% of the world’s population bite their nails, including adults and kids. Did you know that about 40% of nail biters suffer from damaged teeth? Also, a lot of folks today are suffering from diseases because they are nail biters. Nail biters are more susceptible to a wide range of diseases and infections. The lists of demerits just go on and on!

For most people, the habit starts when they are much younger. With kids, nail biting can be a very complex issue but it is easier to stop the habit in a child than in an adult. This is why as a parent you need to nip this in the bud.

Nail Biting Habit Causes

To nip nail biting in the bud, you need to understand why kids indulge in the habit and the nail biting causes. Nail biting is a very common stress relieving habit. Kids bite their nails due to a wide range of reasons like curiosity, boredom, stress relief, habit, and often imitation. Nail biting is one of the many nervous habits among kids that will most likely grow into adulthood, if not stopped before they become a teenager. This is why breaking the nail biting habit in your child is important.

That being said, there are several strategies parents can use to nip the nail-biting habit in the bud. To a certain extent, ignorance works. A lot of kids drop the habit after a few years. However, some parents cannot just look away when they discover that their kids picked up a nail-biting habit.

A very effective way of curbing the habit is to use nail biting polish for toddlers. A nail-biting polish is a top-coat nail polish with an added ingredient that tastes bad, designed to stop biting nails by giving reminders every time the fingers enter the mouth. There are several types of nail-biting polish on the market. In this article, we will be taking a look at the best ones for your kid.

Honest10

Honest10 3-IN-1 Kit is the top recommended product because it brings the most value and checks all the correct boxes. Besides being the only product on the market to thoughtfully include all the tools needed for your child to quit nail biting at a lower price than most brands sell just their formula, their formula is also the strongest available and safety tested. And to give you parents added peace of mind their formula was independently safety tested and is made in the USA.

Pros

  • Maximum strength
  • Safety tested, pediatrician approved
  • Includes fine-grit nail files for nail biters, hangnail trimmer, and a motivational rewards system with stickers
  • Made in USA

Cons

  • Somewhat shiny finish

Mavala Stop Nail Biting

Mavala Stop was the first anti-nail biting product on the market more than 20 years ago, and for this reason has thousands of reviews. However, technology has advanced and there some great alternatives.

Pros

  • Many success stories
  • Dries quickly

Cons

  • Cannot be used for children under age of 3.
  • Parent testimonials of kids vomiting
  • Shiny, glossy finish
  • Expensive

Onyx Professional “Stop The Bite”

This is the budget friendly option that can be the answer to how to cure the nail biting habit. If the Mavala Stop is too much of an expense for you, the Onyx Professional “Stop The Bite” is a great alternative. It does the nail-biting deterrent job perfectly. Another great thing about this nail polish is that it can be used both as a top coat and base coat. This means that you can use it with decorative nail polish. This way, you will be able to protect your kid without having to cramp his or her style.

Pros

  • Budget Friendly
  • Dries Fast

Cons

  • Expiration date not specified so we are unclear about the shelf life

Magique NoBite Nail Polish

Magique NoBite is unique, in that it claims to be non-toxic and odorless, however in the bottle its odor is strong like many others. They also say it is safe for pets, to help them stop chewing on things around the house. The polish can also be used as a stimulator for nail growth.

Pros

  • Safe for pets
  • Non-toxic
  • Quick dry

Cons

  • Expensive
  • Could be a fire hazard

Other Ways to Discourage Nail Biting Among Children

Apart from using bitter nail polish, there are several other ways for how to break the nail biting habit in your child. Here are a few ways to stop the nail biting habit:

  • Cut their nails: When you regularly cut your kid’s nails, the surface area under the nail is reduced. As a result, there will be less bacteria that can get into the mouth. Always have a small nail clipper handy. When the nails overstay their welcome, it will be hard for your kids to resist biting them.
  • Look for something else they can put in their mouth. As long as it isn’t a sugary snack, anything is great. Pacifiers can work as a great substitute for toddlers.
  • Provide positive reinforcement and encouragement to them throughout the day when they are not biting.

Jane Sarrow

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