Nail Biting among Children

Paediatric Onychophagia

Abstract

In psychiatry, psychology, medicine, and dentistry, nail biting (NB) is a frequent yet unsolvable condition. While it may appear that NB is a simple behaviour that can be easily stopped, most children having NB have previously tried and failed. Others, such as siblings and parents, are frustrated as a result of the failed endeavour. The purpose of this review is to give an overview of NB prevalence, consequences, counselling services, and management. Overall, the examined existing literature reveal that psychiatric disorders and other stereotypic behaviours are present in more than 80% of clinical samples of children with NB, and maximum of the parents had psychiatric illnesses, primarily sadness. However, treating NB is not as straightforward as it may look. The management of NB is significantly more complicated than focusing just on its abolition. It's impossible to predict nail-biting without considering its co-morbidities, triggers, and consequences. Children with NB, their family members, siblings, and instructors, according to the reviewed study, should be educated what to do and what not to do about the illness. Sentencing does not work. Furthermore, evidence-based behavioral and pharmacologic therapy procedures must be made available through clinical randomized controlled trials. Nail-biting and lip biting habits develop as a consequence of stress management among children. Such habits help cope with emotional and physical stresses. As a result, this study is critical in raising awareness about such oral habits and the necessary interventions to effectively stop them. This provides a holistic approach to endodontic care and helps prevent future debilitating problems to the oral cavity and the associated structures.