How do you take off gel from fingernails?

I have always been a nail biter. For the past 15 years, I have always had gel nails. Just recently some were breaking. Now, that opens up the nail biting for me. Not too good. As disgusting as it sounds, I usually will try to bite the gel off, not good I know. Is there a healthier way to remove the gel than biting it off. I don't want to go back to the salon yet because of the embarrassment of my nails.