Accidental cheek biting is common, causing sudden, sharp pain when soft tissue inside the mouth is caught between teeth during chewing or speaking. While occasional, frequent bites lead to ongoing discomfort. Understanding the reasons behind this can provide insight.
Understanding the Common Causes
Dental alignment issues, or malocclusion, are a frequent cause of accidental cheek biting. When upper and lower teeth do not fit together properly, misaligned teeth or a jaw can trap cheek tissue during eating or talking. Deviated molars, premolars, or emerging wisdom teeth may also contribute by deflecting towards the cheek. Poorly fitting dental restorations, such as crowns or fillings, can alter a tooth’s biting surface and lead to bites.
Behavioral patterns also contribute. Eating too quickly, talking while chewing, or distraction during meals increases the likelihood of biting. Stress, anxiety, boredom, or fatigue can also lead to this behavior, sometimes as a subconscious coping mechanism. Habitual cheek biting is a semiconscious activity that can be difficult to control.
Physiological factors can also contribute. Swelling of the inner cheek, from a previous bite or inflammation, makes tissue more prominent and susceptible to re-biting. Involuntary muscle movements, particularly during sleep, can cause cheek biting, sometimes linked to teeth grinding (bruxism). Certain medications might impact muscle control or awareness, increasing the risk.
Immediate Effects and Potential Issues
Biting the cheek immediately causes pain and discomfort, ranging from mild to severe depending on the bite’s force. This sharp sensation can disrupt eating and speaking. Following trauma, the bitten area often develops oral sores, known as canker sores or aphthous ulcers. These small, painful lesions typically have a white or yellow center with a red border, making eating and drinking uncomfortable.
The injured tissue can also become swollen and inflamed. This swelling creates a cycle where enlarged tissue is more easily caught between teeth, leading to repeated biting of the same area. Persistent irritation can cause the skin to feel rough or develop scar tissue. An open wound from a cheek bite carries a minor risk of bacterial infection if not kept clean.
Practical Prevention Strategies
Adopting mindful eating habits can reduce accidental cheek biting. This involves eating slowly, chewing food thoroughly, and avoiding talking while chewing. Paying attention to eating, rather than being distracted, helps prevent the cheek from getting caught. Cutting food into smaller pieces also makes chewing easier and safer.
Managing stress and anxiety is another effective strategy, especially if biting is linked to emotional states. Techniques like deep breathing exercises, meditation, or identifying triggers can help reduce the urge to bite. Engaging in alternative activities like chewing gum or healthy, crunchy snacks can provide a similar oral sensation without causing harm.
Dental solutions can address physical causes. Consulting a dentist can help identify and smooth sharp edges on teeth or dental work that might be cutting the cheek. For individuals with malocclusion, orthodontic treatments like braces or aligners can correct misaligned teeth, reducing accidental bites. A custom-made night guard can also be beneficial, particularly for those who bite their cheeks during sleep or grind their teeth, as it creates a barrier.
Developing an awareness of when and how biting occurs can help identify specific patterns or triggers. By consciously observing these moments, individuals can work towards breaking the habit or replacing it with healthier behaviors.
When to Consult a Professional
While occasional cheek biting is usually not a concern, professional medical or dental advice is beneficial in some instances. If accidental cheek biting becomes persistent or occurs frequently despite self-help measures, it warrants evaluation. This regularity might indicate an underlying dental issue, such as misaligned teeth or ill-fitting dental work, that a dentist can address.
Seek professional help if a sore from a cheek bite does not heal within one to two weeks. Non-healing mouth sores can signal other conditions, making timely diagnosis important. Severe pain or significant swelling that worsens or interferes with daily activities should prompt a visit to a healthcare provider. Signs of infection, such as pus, fever, or spreading redness around the bite site, require immediate attention.
If cheek biting is accompanied by other unusual symptoms like muscle spasms, numbness, or jaw pain, a medical professional can investigate potential neurological concerns or temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders. For those who suspect their cheek biting is linked to stress, anxiety, or is a body-focused repetitive behavior, a therapist or counselor can offer specialized strategies and support.