Yep, science says it's actually good for them!

So, it turns out that snot isn't just dirty, slimy boogers rolled into little balls in grubby fingers.

It's actually full of good bacteria that helps your teeth.

According to a study, mucus, ie snot, forms a barrier against bacteria.

There's something called salivary mucins in snot, which protects our teeth from a type of bacteria that’s responsible for causing cavities.

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So, your child eating his or her snot, is not a bad thing at all. The salivary mucins actually stop bacteria from latching onto the teeth.

Synthetic snot may be coming

In fact, the researchers who led the study are looking into synthetic mucus to be administered in the form of chewing gum or toothpaste.

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Yep, booger toothpaste and gum. How cool would kids think that was?!

Snot could be good for your kids. Source: supplied.

There's some evidence the mucus in snot could defend against respiratory infection, stomach ulcers and HIV.

Healthier and happier

According to Austrian lung specialist Prof Friedrich Bischinger, people who pick their noses are healthy, happier and probably better in tune with their bodies.

He suggested the social stigma around it be removed, and instead parents should encourage children to pick their nose.

“And eating the dry remains of what you pull out is a great way of strengthening the body’s immune system. Medically it makes great sense and is a perfectly natural thing to do,'' he said.

“In terms of the immune system, the nose is a filter in which a great deal of bacteria are collected, and when this mixture arrives in the intestines it works just like a medicine.”

So, next time you go to pull your child's finger away from their nose, and screech in disgust as they proceed to eat it, know they may be doing their bodies more good than harm.