It is a common and often irritating experience to accidentally bite your cheek while eating. This can range from minor discomfort to a persistent problem. Understanding why this happens and what to do about it can help manage the annoyance and prevent further issues.
Why It Happens
Accidental cheek biting often occurs due to a combination of anatomical factors, eating habits, and underlying dental or physiological conditions. One common cause is the misalignment of teeth or the jaw, known as malocclusion, where the upper and lower teeth do not properly come together, increasing the likelihood of catching the inner cheek during chewing. Wisdom teeth, especially during eruption, can also shift existing teeth and contribute to this misalignment. New dental work, such as fillings, crowns, or even orthodontic appliances like braces, can sometimes alter the mouth’s landscape, making the cheeks more susceptible to accidental bites.
Eating too quickly, talking while food is in the mouth, or simply being distracted during meals can also lead to accidental cheek biting. When attention is diverted, the coordination between jaw movements and cheek positioning may falter, causing the soft tissue to get caught. Some individuals also have a habit of chewing more on one side of their mouth, which can increase the risk of biting the cheek on that favored side. Stress, anxiety, or fatigue can also affect overall coordination, leading to unconscious repetitive behaviors like cheek biting. This can become a coping mechanism or a habit, particularly during periods of concentration or boredom.
Immediate Effects
The immediate aftermath of biting your cheek involves sharp pain and discomfort. This arises from trauma to the inner lining of the cheek. Following the initial pain, a minor injury develops, appearing as a small cut, abrasion, or localized swelling. The affected area can become tender and inflamed.
Within a day or two, the injured site may develop into a canker sore. These painful sores can make eating and speaking uncomfortable for several days. Swelling and inflammation from the initial bite can make the area more prone to repeated accidental biting, creating a cycle of irritation and delayed healing.
Preventative Measures
Adopting mindful eating practices can significantly reduce the frequency of accidental cheek bites. This involves slowing down your eating pace, thoroughly chewing your food, and focusing on the meal rather than multitasking. Avoiding distractions like talking, reading, or using electronic devices while chewing can help maintain better oral coordination. Cutting food into smaller, more manageable pieces can also make chewing safer.
Addressing any dental issues that contribute to cheek biting is an important preventative step. Regular dental check-ups allow a dentist to identify and correct problems such as misaligned teeth, ill-fitting dental work, or sharp edges that might be catching the cheek. In some cases, orthodontic treatments like braces or aligners may be recommended to improve tooth alignment. For those who bite their cheeks due to stress or anxiety, engaging in stress management techniques such as deep breathing exercises, meditation, or other calming activities can be beneficial. Chewing sugar-free gum can also serve as a substitute behavior, redirecting the urge to bite the cheek.
When to Consult a Professional
While occasional cheek bites are common and usually heal on their own, certain situations warrant professional dental or medical attention. You should consult a dentist if accidental cheek biting becomes frequent or recurs without a clear cause, as this might indicate an underlying dental problem like tooth misalignment. If a sore or wound from a cheek bite does not begin to heal within one to two weeks, or if it worsens, it is important to seek professional advice.
Signs of infection, such as increased pain, swelling, warmth, redness, pus draining from the area, or a fever, also indicate a need for immediate evaluation. Difficulty eating or speaking due to severe pain or swelling from the bite should prompt a visit to a healthcare provider. If you suspect that a misaligned tooth or recent dental work is directly causing frequent cheek bites, a dentist can assess the situation and recommend appropriate adjustments or treatments.