I find it effective to clean my teeth's surface by scraping it with my nails. Is that harmful to the teeth?

Answer 1

It's not necessarily harmful, but it is a bit pointless. Your nails are not nearly as hard as the tools hygienists use to clean teeth. Dental instruments can actually cause some scratching of the tooth enamel, which is why the hygienist always polishes the teeth afterwards. Polishing buffs out any microscopic scratches. Your nails are unlikely to scratch the enamel.

However, scratching your teeth with your nails will remove plaque incompletely. Imagine a window that has been painted black, and you're trying to scrape the paint off with a very small chisel. It would take incredible amounts of effort to get every little bit of paint off, and paint is a lot easier to see than plaque. The most important areas to get clean are the areas closest to or beneath your gums. These areas would be difficult to access with your nails without risking injury to the gums. Plaque buildup under the gums leads to gingivitis, periodontal disease, and ultimately, tooth loss.

Furthermore, although your nails won't directly harm the tooth itself, this practice does present risks. There are plenty of bacteria under your nails, some of which could cause serious, unusual types of oral disease. If you scratch or cut the soft tissues of your mouth, or if you already have gingivitis, you could introduce these bacteria into your bloodstream.

So I really hope you will stop. If you have some sort of compulsion and can't stop, please scrub your hands and under your nails thoroughly first, and do it after brushing your teeth, not instead of brushing your teeth. Then see your doctor about helping you get the compulsion under control.

Answer 2

its not harmful just not real effective. you are scraping away some of the tardar but your not getting the teeth at the gum line or behind the teeth. Brushing with a electric tooth brush is good and there are cheap ones out there and a good tooth paste. Its the only way to prevent gum diease.

Answer 3

I wouldn't say it is entirely effective. First of all, you are introducing new bacteria into your mouth from whatever might be UNDER your nails. Who knows where your hands have been? Keeping your teeth brushed at least in the morning and evening would be helpful, and in between, you might want to try a product called "Brush Ups" by Oral B. They are quick, small enough to fit in your pocket or backpack and almost certainly better than your fingers in your mouth. :)

Answer 4

Yeah technically you could be scraping off the calcium of you teeth. Teeth made of calcuim

Answer 5

It is really very harmfull using nail th tooth enamil will go off using the white side of the orange fruit peel it is very good on regular use the scrs will vanish off on the tooth as well as the whitennes increases and its strengthen the root canal also

Answer 6

You are probably not going to hurt the enamel on your teeth. But just think about what you are doing to your nails!

Answer 7

No more so than a tooth pick or a dentist's tool. You should use a toothbrush and toothpaste regularly though and remember to floss daily and use mouthwash for good dental hygiene.

Answer 8

Not to teeth, but perhaps to system

Answer 9

It can be.You could accidently cut your gums.Just brush your teeth.

Answer 10

if you brushed your teeth properly, there wouldn't be enough plaque to scrape off......yuck!