It turns out that repeated cheek biting may not always be a coincidence. This may point to an underlying oral health problem you weren't even aware of.
Continuous biting of the inside of the mouth, whether due to teeth, jaw, or psychological issues (did you say stress?), can be prevented. We spoke to two dentists to learn more about why cheek biting happens and whether it's a harmless (or harmful) habit.
1. You have morsicatio buccarum (aka chronic cheek biting).
If biting the inside of your cheek becomes a habit, you may have morsicatio buccarum. “Morsicatio buccarum is the Latin term for chronic cheek biting, when people habitually chew or bite the inside of their cheeks,” says Chrystle Cu, DDS, a California-based dentist and founder of Cocofloss.
This chronic condition can occur for a variety of reasons, says Marina Gonchar, DMD, orthodontist, and founder of Skin to Smile. According to Dr. Gonchar, these may include:
- Repetitive behaviors caused by boredom, stress, or anxiety
- misaligned teeth
- Irregularities in oral tissue
- Sharp edges of chipped teeth, fillings, or crowns
- Irritation of oral tissues from ill-fitting appliances (such as retainers or dentures)
- teeth grinding
Treatment methods:
Many people with this condition are not even aware of their biting habits. The first step is to recognize the problem and be conscious about stopping it. Beyond this, treatment also depends on the underlying cause. For example, if a chipped tooth is digging into your cheek, your dentist may be able to repair it so it no longer gets caught in the fleshy tissue in your mouth.
2. It was an accident
I chewed my food in a hurry to have breakfast before going to work. crunch, you pull the lump out of your cheek. Yeah, that hurts. “Accidental cheek biting is very common, especially if you are in a hurry and not paying attention,” adds Dr. Gonchar. It typically occurs when talking or chewing (or both at the same time), says Dr. Cu.
Treatment methods:
Accidentally biting your dog's cheek is usually not a big deal. But biting your cheek too hard can cause mouth ulcers, Dr. Gonchar. These ulcers are usually harmless and take several days to heal. In the meantime, you may need to be extra careful when chewing to avoid reopening the area. Chewing slowly and carefully is also a general rule. For starters, it can help prevent you from accidentally biting your cheek.
3.Teeth are not aligned properly.
Straight teeth don't just create a beautiful smile. It is also important for oral health. Case in point: cheek biting can be prevented.
“Chronic cheek bites are more likely to result from bites. [i.e., the way your upper and lower teeth fit together] It’s misaligned,” says Dr. Cu. Here's why: “If the teeth do not fit properly, overlap too much, or are crowded, oral tissue can easily become caught between the upper and lower teeth during everyday tasks such as speaking or chewing,” says Dr. Gonchar.
Misaligned teeth, also called malocclusion, can also cause other problems. Symptoms according to Mount Sinai include:
- Difficulty or discomfort when biting or chewing
- Speech disorders, including lisp (rare)
- Mouth breathing (i.e. breathing through the mouth without closing the lips)
- Inability to bite food properly
Treatment methods:
If you are experiencing problems because your teeth are not properly aligned, contact your orthodontist. Orthodontists specialize in teeth alignment and teeth straightening. They can look at your teeth and recommend treatment options, which, according to Mount Sinai, may include:
- Regular or clear braces (such as Invisalign) and removable retainers
- Removal of one or more teeth (if overcrowding is part of the problem)
- Repair rough or irregular teeth (teeth may be adjusted down, reshaped, glued, or covered)
4. It's a jaw problem
Jaw problems can also cause teeth misalignment, says Dr. Gonchar. As we know, if your teeth do not fit properly, you are at greater risk of cheek biting. Additionally, “significant jaw deviations are often accompanied by clenching and grinding habits,” she says. Both can result in chronic cheek biting.
Other possible jaw problems, according to Mount Sinai, include:
- Misalignment of the jaw after a serious injury
- Tumors of the mouth and jaw
- The jaw shape is weird
- Difference in size between upper and lower jaw
Treatment methods:
Your best bet is to see an orthodontist about this as well. Braces, mouth guards (to protect teeth from grinding), or other dental devices may be recommended to manage jaw problems. In severe cases, surgery may be needed to lengthen or shorten the jaw, according to Mount Sinai.
5. Psychological
Do you gnaw your cheeks when you're nervous? Stress or anxiety can make cheek biting problems worse, says Dr. Cu. Cheek biting during periods of high stress or anxiety can be a coping mechanism for some people, adds Dr. Gonchar.
Cheek biting can also become a repetitive behavior. And this can happen with certain mental health conditions that involve compulsive behavior, says Dr. Gonchar. Some examples she cites include:
- Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD): It is a condition that frequently triggers unwanted thoughts and obsessions that lead to repetitive actions (e.g. compulsions).
- Body-Oriented Repetitive Behaviors (BFRBs): Any act of self-grooming that damages the body. According to the Mayo Clinic, the most common BFRBs are skin picking, nail biting, and hair pulling.
Treatment methods:
If stress or anxiety is causing your cheek biting, it's important to look at your mental health. You may want to share how you are feeling with a trusted health care provider or therapist. With time, practice, therapy, medication, or a combination of the two, you can overcome the unwanted thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that cause cheek biting.
6. Irregularities in the soft tissues of the mouth.
If the fleshy insides of your cheeks become swollen or inflamed, they may become larger and interfere with speaking or chewing. Translation: Teeth are more likely to get caught in these soft tissues. According to Dr. Gonchar, there may be irregularities in the soft tissues of the mouth.
- Swelling due to clogged salivary ducts
- Benign oral swelling and growths
- Malignant tumor (very rare)
Treatment methods:
“In all scenarios, it is important to see a dentist for evaluation and treatment,” says Dr. Gonchar. “It’s not just about getting rid of chronic cheek biting, it’s also about making sure that an underlying condition isn’t a cause for concern.”
Is it harmful to bite your cheek?
“Sometimes cheek biting can be irritating and painful,” says Dr. Cu, but it’s generally not harmful in the long term. “The soft tissue in the mouth (also called oral mucosa) typically heals from injury within a few weeks,” she says.
But habitual cheek biting is bad news. Repetitive, frequent or chronic cheek biting can cause ulcers, bleeding, infection, tissue scarring and erosion, says Dr. Gonchar. These problems can damage your oral and overall health, she says. This is why it is important to treat and prevent cheek biting (more on this next).
How to Stop or Prevent Cheek Biting
If you want to end your cheek biting habit, see Dr. Gonchar and Dr. Try these tips from Cu:
- Be mindful of your habits. Cheek biting is often unconscious. To break a habit, you first need to pay attention to these repetitive behaviors (especially when under stress).
- Chew your food carefully and slowly: This will help prevent you from accidentally biting your cheek while eating.
- Maintain good oral hygiene: Taking good care of your mouth can help prevent cheek biting due to dental problems such as calcium buildup, broken fillings, crowns, or chipped teeth.
- Wear a mouthguard when you sleep: This is especially important if you grind or clench your teeth at night.
- Use effective stress management techniques. If you think your cheek biting is stress-related, find activities that help you relax, such as deep breathing, meditation, or exercise.
- Try chewing sugar-free gum: This will help keep them quiet, especially if they have a habit of biting their cheeks.
- Train your oral muscles and posture so you can do other things. For example, place your tongue firmly against the roof of your mouth, lightly touch your teeth, and close your lips. In this position, practice breathing in and out through your nose. Breathing like this also has the added benefit of increasing nitric oxide production, which ultimately helps deliver more oxygen to the bloodstream.
- Meet the orthodontist: If your cheek bite is related to improper alignment of your teeth or jaw, orthodontic treatment may help eliminate the underlying structural problem.
When to See a Dentist for Chronic Cheek Biting
Just because you have an occasional cheek-biting accident doesn't mean you need to go to the dentist. But if you find yourself repeatedly biting your cheek while stressed, eating, or talking, it may be time to make an appointment with a dentist. According to Dr. Gonchar and Dr. Cu, it may be a good idea to have your mouth examined by a dental professional if you experience any of the following symptoms:
- The skin on the inside of the cheek hurts or does not heal, and the discomfort interferes with daily life.
- If there is persistent damage such as inflammation, inflammation, or bleeding inside the oral cavity.
- You have trouble speaking or eating.
The dentist examines the teeth and jaw to determine if there are any underlying conditions, such as malocclusion. Once they give you a good look and describe your symptoms, they can help you come up with a treatment plan to stop cheek biting for good (or at least make it less likely to happen).