The Functional Fingernail.

Call it an eccentric quirk. For more than a decade now, I've kept one index finger nail a bit long; alternating from hand to hand. It gets too long, then gets trimmed just as the one on the other hand gets just long enough. Admittedly, virtually none of my fingernails are ever the same length.

The point: an always-there toothpick. Not a problem, since I'm quite insistent about washing my hands before I eat, etc... so it isn't hard to sanitize. Floss makes my gums bleed. And I find most toothpicks too long to be agile to get the tough spots, and too broad to get the thinner strands of meat that get wedged in towards the gum line.

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Anybody else prone to this level of utilitarianism? I know I'm not the only one; I've met a chap or two who do the same. However: before she was my wife (talkin first year), SWMBO said "Wtf is with that coke nail?!? You know it's supposed to be the pinky, right?" :rofl2:

Just as an aside, if floss makes your gums bleed you are either using too much force (like in straight shaving or honing) or your gums need some professional work.

Did someone say Functional fingernails?????

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God I love the internet
Har!!!

That would drive me nuts. Your other two fingernails in the top pic is the limit as to how long mine get before I get irritated
and cut them. But hey, they're your fingers.

John

Yeah, the index on that hand will be trimmed within the day.

If flossing is done daily, as it should be, the gums get quite used to it and don't bleed.

I can't tolerate long nails, as soon as they reach 1/16th I start to get fidgety with them. I also have a grimy job and they collect and hold dirt in a disgusting way. I cut them to the quick frequently.

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I keep em chopped down, and let the girl do any long nail needed work.

I keep mine quite short (as above). At about 1/16" they get trimmed otherwise they will get cracked or chipped from work or hobby stuff.

For dirt/grease, nothing I have found works better for cleaning hands and nails as powdered Tide laundry detergent. Applied with a "pizza seasoning" shaker to wet hands, use a fingernail brush or old toothbrush around and under nails. As a bonus, you will instantly discover if you have any cuts!

yeah, classical guitarist here, my nails are everything! :)

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Wow! The things that are discussed here. Lol. Not to say that the idea doesn't intrigue me its just that I would have never thought I would see that here. Great post!

Okay, about flossing. The many times I tried using it (waxed or unwaxed), it never EVER got the food out of my teeth! Sometimes it won't even get between some teeth. Add the fact that "because my gums weren't used to it", it made my teeth red with blood: it just wasn't worth it. I have a lot of dexterity in my hands/fingers, and I can use the corner of the nail to pluck food from between the gum line even on sets of teeth that touch (preventing flossing) with ease. Plus, who likes carrying floss everywhere they go?

As for when I work: my "usual" nail lengths are rarely a problem. Mostly what gets under them are bread dough & ingredients, which wash out easily. And keeping them longer, at least a little, than 1/16" actually acts as a bit of fingertip armor. A necessary attribute when one is generally unapologetically harsh to their extremities, like I am :).

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Originally Posted by Crawler

Okay, about flossing. The many times I tried using it (waxed or unwaxed), it never EVER got the food out of my teeth! Sometimes it won't even get between some teeth. Add the fact that "because my gums weren't used to it", it made my teeth red with blood: it just wasn't worth it. I have a lot of dexterity in my hands/fingers, and I can use the corner of the nail to pluck food from between the gum line even on sets of teeth that touch (preventing flossing) with ease. Plus, who likes carrying floss everywhere they go?

As for when I work: my "usual" nail lengths are rarely a problem. Mostly what gets under them are bread dough & ingredients, which wash out easily. And keeping them longer, at least a little, than 1/16" actually acts as a bit of fingertip armor. A necessary attribute when one is generally unapologetically harsh to their extremities, like I am :).

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Take a tip from us older fellas. if you want to keep your teeth start flossing. Usually you can get away without doing it until you reach around age 40 or maybe earlier and then you start seeing blood when you brush and if you do nothing about it that's when you start losing teeth. No matter how tight your teeth are you can floss and if it doesn't do the job it means you're not doing it right (just like honing).

Crawler, did you blur your fingerprints as a means of identity theft prevention?

For your dental health, at least take the initial step of a Sonic care toothbrush. After using that for a while, flossing will not be a problematic event.

Never had health care/insurance until my current job. But boy o' boy is it good stuff! So the first 26~ish years of my life, mostly with a mom that couldn't care less, relied on my good genes. Though not brushing at a dentist recommended rate, I use good tooth paste & mouthwash. Several large chunks of plaque have already come off, and gum swelling is down as well. A dentist appointment will be made once my new bid at work kicks in & I finally get a fixed schedule after 3yrs of being vacation relief.

And Mr. Utopian: and I quote, "It's only 'being paranoid' if your wrong!"