Why Do I Keep Biting My Cheek ? Common Causes and How to Stop It

Do you find yourself constantly biting the inside of your cheek, sometimes without even realising it? You’re not alone who thinks Why do I keep biting My cheek ? Bitters are very common amongst people of all ages, and this habit frequently goes untreated until it becomes painful. So, if you know why it is occurring, you will have the first step towards being able to end this issue forever.

What is Cheek Biting?

Morsicatio buccarum is the medical term for the biting, or chewing, of the soft lining of the mouth. Though it can happen by accident, if the biting happens often enough, it can cause sore spots, ulcers, swelling and infection in the cheeks over time.

Cheek biting is a common behaviour and is often caused by the following:

1. Stress and Anxiety

Psychological reasons are the most common cause of cheek biting. Stress or overwhelm often makes many people bite their cheques, just as they might bite their nails, as a way of providing instant relief from the tension.

2. Persistent or repetitive actions or habits.

Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviours (BFRBs) are automatic, unconscious behaviours that may happen when someone is concentrating, bored, or when it’s a spare moment, such as biting certain parts of the body, like the cheeks. With time, the behaviour becomes ingrained and difficult to change unless we make the conscious effort to change it.

3. Tooth Misalignment or Bite Problems

If they don’t make a proper fit with your bottom and top teeth, you might bit the inside of your cheeks when chewing. Badly fitted dental appliances, tooth loss and tooth movement may all be factors in incidental biting in the cheek.

4. TMJ Disorders

If the jaw joint is not functioning properly it may affect the way your mouth moves, making it more likely to bite into your cheeks while you are eating and talking.

5. A Self-Perpetuating Cycle

A single accidental bite can lead to localised swelling which increases the likelihood of re-biting in the same location, leading to a cycle of pain and frustration that is hard to break without intervention.

How to stop biting your cheek

If you’re asking yourself how to stop biting your cheek, there are a few ways to help:

• Increase awareness: Recognize when it occurs. So, is it in stress, boredom or deep focus? It is important to identify trigger points.
• Control stress: Exercise, meditation or other breathing techniques can lower cheek biting that might be due to stress.
• Chew sugar-free gum: this can distract the mouth and help to prevent the start of cheek biting.
• Wear an oral appliance: Your dentist can fit you with a custom mouth guard that will stop cheek tissue from being chewed.
• Correct dental alignment: Correcting alignment where possible, through orthodontics or a bite adjustment, is one that addresses the problem at source.
• Tackle it with CBT : Habitual cheek biting or cheek biting as a result of anxiety is very treatable with CBT.

When To Visit the Dentist’s Office

See it professionally evaluated if you experience any of the following: sores that do not heal, white patches or continued irritation from biting inside of cheek. When there is chronic trauma to soft tissue it sometimes creates a problem that requires a more in-depth investigation.

Conclusion

So, now How to stop biting cheek. Cheek biting is more prevalent than people realise and there’s nothing to be embarrassed about. The reason for this may be stress, dental problems and/or a repetitive action, but there are real solutions available.

Springvale Dental Clinic’s team can assist you if you have an issue with biting your cheeks. Our highly experienced dentists are able to evaluate your bite, uncover any structural issues and develop a customised treatment plan for a long-lasting solution. Make an appointment with Springvale Dental Clinic today.