Fingernail Filter: I know its been asked many times how to quit this compulsion. While that is a concern of mine, I need to know what to do to alleviate pain in the fingers from excessive fingernail biting. What do you recommend? [more inside]
posted by Draccy on Nov 3, 2009 - 30 answers

Speaking English causes bad teeth? Combined with chewing gum, leads to more kids having to wear dental braces? Help me research this one; would like stats and links... [more inside]
posted by querty on May 11, 2009 - 25 answers

Why does my dog eat women's underwear and shoes? [more inside]
posted by Saxon Kane on Feb 8, 2009 - 5 answers

I need to stay on a quite impressive roll of having given up a long held vice. Could you all please assist in this effort? Specifics inside. [more inside]
posted by repoman on Jul 11, 2008 - 38 answers

Aspartame-free chewing gum? [more inside]
posted by Saucy Intruder on Mar 24, 2008 - 11 answers

Does anyone have any suggestions for catproof earbuds? My cat seems to find the tender plastic to be extremely succulent. [more inside]
posted by jenfu on Feb 24, 2008 - 11 answers

Is there a good alternative dog bedding that our puppy can't consume? We have a 9 month old corgi, crate-trained, and so far he's found a way to chew/eat whatever bedding we've given him. [more inside]
posted by dryad on Nov 14, 2007 - 13 answers

How do I stop my 4-year-old son from chewing (on EVERYTHING!)? [more inside]
posted by jkaczor on Nov 8, 2007 - 15 answers

Is there any danger to chewing on popsicle sticks, as long as I don't ingest any of the wood? [more inside]
posted by Shoeburyness on Oct 12, 2007 - 12 answers

Please help me defend my kids' teddy bears from the atrocities of the deranged Siamese! [more inside]
posted by Addlepated on Aug 2, 2007 - 4 answers

My teeth are a mess. I have a major lifelong grinding and chewing problem. The bottom set are very worn down, the top front teeth have crumbled in the past from chewing and I have crowns. I have numerous fillings and root canals and there are ominous cracks in several others. Is there a way I could solve this problem once and for all? I'm talking about fixing the teeth falling apart, not curbing the grinding. Assume cost is not an obstacle.
posted by vizsla on Apr 2, 2007 - 19 answers

[Chewing Gum] Does this exist? A sugarless, flavorless chewing gum that loses its pliableness the longer you chew it? [more inside]
posted by zippity on May 20, 2006 - 10 answers

name this weird social phenomenon. google proof. can involve chewing gum. [more inside]
posted by snailer on Dec 8, 2005 - 27 answers

Where does "Pepsin" flavour come from? [more inside]
posted by Cosine on May 13, 2005 - 6 answers

My girlfriend chews food with her mouth open. In the past four years, I've tried everything from polite admonition to blunt, borderline rudeness. She's not stupid, and she's generally well-mannered -- but she can't drop this habit. She's 23. Any suggestions?
posted by anonymous on Feb 12, 2005 - 37 answers

I bite my fingernails and gnaw at the ends of pens, all the more so if under stress, or after drinking more coffee than usual. Let's say I don't want to give up caffeine, and occasional stress is unavoidable: given this, how can I cut it out? Are there any former digit-nibblers here who have cured themselves of this unpleasant habit, & if so, how?
posted by misteraitch on Nov 16, 2004 - 18 answers

Why do athletes chew gum? [no more inside]
posted by mdeatherage on Oct 20, 2004 - 10 answers

I have a strong, irrational aversion to the sound of people eating. Especially people that eat really loud and smack their lips and lick their fingers. Gum chewers make me want to explode. This neurosis prevents me from doing a lot of things like eating out with friends, etc. Anyone else out there have this particular problem, and have you found any way to deal with it?
posted by yalestar on Aug 1, 2004 - 27 answers

YuckHabitFilter/NeedMoreToWorryAboutFilter: Say you tend to chew on plastic pens while working, despite efforts to stop. Aside from the obvious Googleable dental detriments (tooth wear) and, um, choking risk I guess, are there any other dangers, esp. ones not grounded in Freudian analysis? Are you ingesting scary levels of leeching plasticizers and resins? If so, can you litigate? Kidding...
posted by tss on Jun 8, 2004 - 8 answers