Biting the inside of your cheek after wisdom teeth removal is a common and painful complication. While recovery often focuses on the extraction site, this accidental trauma can impede comfortable eating. This phenomenon occurs because the soft tissues inside your mouth temporarily shift or swell, placing them directly in the path of your teeth during everyday jaw movements. Understanding these temporary physical changes is the first step toward regaining control and comfort during healing.
Why the Cheek Becomes a Target
The main reason the cheek becomes a target is post-surgical swelling (edema). The body’s natural inflammatory response causes the surrounding cheek tissue to expand inward. This swelling, which typically peaks between 48 and 72 hours after the procedure, temporarily alters the internal geometry of the mouth, making a misdirected bite more likely.
Another factor is altered sensation, known as paresthesia. Local anesthesia used during the procedure can numb the tissue, and this altered feeling may linger. Without proper sensory feedback, the brain cannot accurately gauge the cheek’s position. This overrides the reflex that normally pulls the cheek out of the way before the teeth close.
The removal of the third molars also creates a temporary void at the back of the jaw. This new space allows the cheek tissue to slightly collapse or settle into the chewing path. This change, combined with the temporary swelling and numbness, results in repeated trauma to the cheek lining.
Immediate Strategies to Stop Biting
The most effective immediate strategy involves conscious control over jaw movement. To minimize trauma, practice slow, deliberate chewing. Always take small amounts of soft food and place it on the side of your mouth opposite the most tender area, even if that side also had an extraction.
A temporary technique is gently pulling the cheek outward before you close your jaw to chew. Using a clean finger or the tip of your tongue, you can create space between the soft tissue and the chewing surfaces of your teeth. This manual adjustment helps train your muscle memory to keep the cheek clear of the bite line as swelling subsides and sensation returns.
Maintain awareness of your jaw position when you are not actively eating. Many people unconsciously clench or make small chewing motions while working or resting, which can trap the cheek. If your teeth rest directly on the swollen tissue, consciously adjust your jaw position. Sticking to a soft food diet also minimizes the force and impact when biting occurs.
Treating the Resulting Sores
Repeated biting causes a painful ulcer or sore to form on the soft lining of the mouth. Encourage healing by performing warm salt water rinses several times a day. Dissolve a teaspoon of salt in eight ounces of warm water and gently swish the solution around the affected area.
Over-the-counter topical oral gels, such as those containing benzocaine, provide temporary pain relief directly to the ulcer. These products create a numbing effect that allows you to eat and speak more comfortably while the tissue heals. Use these sparingly and as directed, as the numbness can temporarily increase the risk of re-biting the area.
Avoid foods that could irritate the open wound and slow healing. This includes acidic items like citrus fruits and tomatoes, as well as spicy, crunchy, or sharp foods. If a nearby tooth edge or filling contributes to the trauma, place a small amount of dental wax over the sharp point to protect the sore until it heals.
When to Call the Oral Surgeon
Cheek biting is generally temporary and resolves as post-surgical swelling decreases, usually within seven to ten days. If accidental biting persists long after the swelling has subsided, contact your oral surgeon for an evaluation. This persistence may indicate that the wisdom tooth removal caused a subtle, lasting change in your bite alignment.
Seek professional help if the biting is severe enough to cause a permanent, firm lump of tissue (a traumatic fibroma or callus). If numbness or altered sensation in the cheek, lip, or tongue persists for more than a few days, report it to your surgeon. Persistent paresthesia may be a sign of nerve irritation that requires monitoring.