Overview
This article discusses the causes, effects, and management of cheek biting in adults, highlighting both accidental and chronic behaviors and offering actionable advice for prevention and treatment.
Causes of Cheek Biting
- Distraction during activities like reading or watching TV while eating can lead to accidental cheek biting.
- Eating too quickly, talking while chewing, or experiencing physical impacts may cause accidental bites.
- Stress, anxiety, or depression may trigger habitual cheek biting as a coping mechanism.
- Dental misalignment, such as wisdom teeth or poorly designed crowns, can push teeth against the cheek, causing injury.
- Chronic cheek biting (morsicatio buccarum) is a body-focused repetitive behavior (BFRB) and may occur unconsciously.
Damage Caused by Cheek Biting
- Occasional cheek bites generally only cause mild discomfort or temporary canker sores.
- Chronic biting can result in redness, painful sores, and tears in the mouth’s inner lining.
- Repetitive cheek biting linked to BFRB can lead to emotional impacts such as guilt, shame, and social withdrawal.
Prevention and Management
- Regular cheek biting should prompt a dental visit to address possible tooth misalignment or faulty dental work.
- Dentists may recommend orthodontic treatment or extraction for teeth causing cheek lesions.
- For stress-related biting, consulting a physician or psychologist and practicing relaxation or breathwork exercises can help.
- Behavioral therapies may include journaling triggers, substituting biting with healthier habits (e.g., chewing gum), and seeking emotional support.
- Persistent cheek biting should be evaluated by health professionals to develop a personalized treatment plan.
Recommendations / Advice
- Consult a dentist if cheek biting is frequent or causes persistent sores.
- See a psychologist if the behavior is stress-related or appears compulsive.
- Replace cheek biting with positive oral habits and track episodes to identify triggers.
- Seek emotional support and professional guidance for body-focused repetitive behaviors.