Cage bar chewing - health issues?

Question
Hihi,

I would like how detrimental it is for a hamster to be constantly chewing on his cage bars? Many forums and msgboards have information about how to stop it and why it happens, but exactly how bad is it for a hamster's health?

I'm not bothered by my winter white's chewing, but i'm worried about its long-term health issues. I have tried every method there is to stop him from chewing, short of giving him a new cage, which i will do if i have to.

Thank you!

Answer
Hello Clara,
The long term affects can cause the teeth to chip or break which would cause the hamster to not eat and then you would have to take your hamster to a vet. It's also been rumored to cause problems with brain although I am not sure about that one. Also, if a hamster chews on the cage a lot it could cause nose bleeds as well.
Have you tried putting vinegar or grannicks bitter apple on the bars? The way I got my hamster to stop was to put bitter apple on the bars and I also bought a lot of yummy treats to put in there to make him not want to chew the bars.