Keep Accidentally Biting the Inside of Your Cheeks? Stress May Be To Blame, or One of These 5 Dental Issues
Turns out, repetitive cheek biting may not always be an accident; it could point to an underlying oral health issue you didn't even know about.
Whether it's a tooth, jaw, or even psychological issue (did someone say stress?), constantly biting the inside of your mouth can be prevented. We tapped two dentists here to learn more about why cheek biting happens, and whether it's a harmless (or harmful) habit.
In This Article
If nibbling the inside of your cheek is becoming a habit, you might have morsicatio buccarum. “Morsicatio buccarum is the Latin term for chronic cheek biting, i.e., when people habitually chew or bite the insides of their cheeks,” says Chrystle Cu, DDS, a California-based dentist and founder of Cocofloss.
This chronic condition can develop for multiple reasons, says Marina Gonchar, DMD, orthodontist and founder of Skin to Smile. According to Dr. Gonchar, these can include the following:
Many people with this condition aren’t even aware of their biting habit. The first step is to acknowledge the issue, so you can be conscious about stopping it. Beyond this, treatment depends on the underlying cause. For example, if a chipped tooth is cutting into your cheek, your dentist can repair it, so it no longer catches the fleshy tissue inside your mouth.
In your haste to inhale a quick breakfast before work, you chew with reckless abandon, and crunch, you take a chunk out of your cheek. Yep, that hurts. “Accidental cheek biting is very common, especially if you are in a rush and not paying attention,” Dr. Gonchar adds. It usually happens when you’re talking or chewing (or while doing both at the same time), Dr. Cu says.
Accidental cheek biting is usually no biggie. But if you bite your cheek hard enough, you could end up with a mouth ulcer, Dr. Gonchar. These sores are usually harmless and take a few days to heal. In the meantime, you might need to be extra careful when chewing to avoid reopening the area. Slow, careful chewing is also just a good general rule; it can help prevent accidental cheek biting in the first place.
Turns out, straight teeth don’t just create a beautiful smile. They’re also important for your oral health. Case in point: they can prevent cheek biting.
“Chronic cheek biting is more likely if your bite [i.e., the way your upper and lower teeth fit together] is misaligned,” Dr. Cu says. Here’s why: “When the teeth do not meet properly, overlap too much, or are crowded, the oral tissues can easily get caught between the top and bottom teeth during routine tasks such as speaking or chewing,” Dr. Gonchar says.
Misaligned teeth—also called malocclusion—can cause other problems, too. Symptoms can include the following, per Mount Sinai:
If you're teeth aren't properly aligned and they are causing problems, reach out to an orthodontist—a dentist who specializes in aligning your bite and straightening your teeth. They can take a look at your teeth and recommend treatments options, which may include the following, per Mount Sinai:
Jaw problems can cause tooth misalignment, too, Dr. Gonchar says. As we know, when your teeth don’t fit correctly, you have a greater risk of cheek biting. On top of this, “significant jaw deviations are often accompanied by a clenching and grinding habit,” she says. Both can result in chronic cheek biting.
Other possible jaw issues include the following, per Mount Sinai:
Your best bet is to see an orthodontist for this, too. They might recommend braces, a mouthguard (to protect your teeth if your grind them), or other dental appliances to manage your jaw problems. In severe cases, you might need surgery to lengthen or shorten the jaw, according to Mount Sinai.
Gnaw on your cheek when you’re nervous? Stress or anxiety can exacerbate your cheek biting problem, Dr. Cu says. During periods of high stress or anxiety, cheek biting can serve as a coping mechanism for some people, Dr. Gonchar adds.
Cheek biting can also become a repetitive behavior. And it can happen with certain mental health conditions that involve compulsive behaviors, Dr. Gonchar says. Some examples she cites are:
If stress or anxiety is triggering your cheek biting, it’s important to take stock of your mental health. You may want to open up to a trusted health-care provider or therapist about how you're feeling. With time, practice, and therapy, medication, or a combination of both, you can move through unwanted thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that contribute to cheek biting.
When the fleshy insides of your cheek become swollen or inflamed, they can grow larger and get in the way when you’re talking or chewing. Translation: you’re more likely to snag your tooth on these soft tissues. Possible irregularities in the soft tissues of the mouth can be the following, per Dr. Gonchar:
“In all scenarios, it is important to see your dentist for evaluation and treatment,” Dr. Gonchar says. “Not only to eliminate the chronic cheek biting, but also to ensure the underlying condition is not a cause for concern.”
While “occasional cheek biting can be annoying and painful,” it’s usually not harmful in the long term, Dr. Cu says. “The soft tissue inside our mouths (aka, our oral mucosa) typically heals from injury within a couple of weeks,” she says.
But habitual cheek biting is bad news. Repeated, frequent, or chronic cheek biting may cause ulcers, bleeding, infections, tissue scarring, and erosion, Dr. Gonchar says. These problems can damage your oral and, possibly, overall health, she says. This is why it's important to treat and prevent cheek biting (more on this next).
If you want to put an end to your cheek biting habit, try these tips from Dr. Gonchar and Dr. Cu:
You don’t need a trip to the dentist for the occasional cheek biting incident. But if you repeatedly bite your cheeks while stressed, eating, or talking, it might be time to make a dental appointment. It’s worth having a dental professional take a look in your mouth if you have the following symptoms, according to Dr. Gonchar and Dr. Cu:
Your dentist will take a look at your teeth and jaws to figure out if an underlying condition (like malocclusion) is at play. Once they get a good look—and you explain your symptoms—they can help come up with a treatment plan to hopefully stop your cheek biting for good (or at least, make it happen less often).
The Wellness Intel You Need—Without the BS You Don't
Sign up today to have the latest (and greatest) well-being news and expert-approved tips delivered straight to your inbox.