Autism

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Gum picking (gross) (sh.itjust.works)

submitted 1 month ago by FATALRPG@sh.itjust.works to c/Autism@lemmy.dbzer0.com

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I pick my gums. I usually bite a fingernail off and use it to pick with. I enjoy the sensation of pain from having a sharp thing in between my gums and my teeth immensely (not sexual, but a sensation that I cannot really compare to anything else)

I have tried all sorts of solutions to try to stop this, and I’m not really wanting them right now. I have managed to stop biting my nails for a time, but this will instead be replaced with grinding my teeth/picking without biting the nail off first/flossing or tooth picking to the point of bleeding.

What I would really like is harm reduction here. I don’t know what I would say to a dentist or doctor. I will wash my hands before biting my nails to at least make an effort as far as bacteria and infections. I imagine this will lead to long term damage down the road/already, but maybe there are things I can do that will at least fuck me up less in the long run.

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[–] henchmannumber3@lemmy.world 11 points 1 month ago

I stopped biting my fingernails in high school when I viewed one under a microscope in science class. Washing your hands likely won't get rid of all the gross stuff on your nail that you won't want in your mouth, especially your gums, which are especially susceptible to bacteria and infection. You might need to gross yourself out with the reality of that to get yourself to stop using a fingernail.

If you can't stop the desire to "floss" that much, maybe at least carry disposable floss around with you and use that instead.

There might be a different, less dangerous sensation you can find instead. Chewing gum?