Everyone bites the inside of your cheek from time to time, but when is this considered a problem for your overall oral health.
Cheek biting or morsicato buccarum, as it is known in the medical world, is a condition when you repeatedly bite the soft tissue of your inner cheek. This habit may lead to oral health concerns. Let’s explore why this happens and when to seek treatment.
Why Cheek Biting May Be A Bigger Problem
While cheek- biting may seem insignificant, in the long term, it may cause genuine health issues. The skin on the inside of your cheeks is soft and easily damaged. Any break in the skin can potentially allow bacteria to make its way from your mouth into your bloodstream, and to other places in your body. Beyond spreading infection, biting the cheeks may also lead to canker sores, ulcers and other oral health problems.
Types of Cheek Biting
1. Occasional or Accidental
Occasionally biting of the inner cheek may happen if you are not concentrating on eating or chewing or if you are eating rather fast.
2. Frequent Accidents
More frequent biting may be an orthodontic problem due to a shift in your teeth. Malocclusion or misalignment of teeth may also cause biting of the cheeks. Orthodontic appliances and treatments may be beneficial.
3. Sleep Biting
A person may bite their cheeks while asleep especially if they already suffer from bruxism (teeth-grinding). A dentist can fit you with a soft guard that prevents your teeth from biting while you sleep.
4. Deliberate Biting
Stress, anxiety, and nervousness contribute to the habit of cheek biting. Managing these conditions with relaxation breathing or meditation may lessen the behavior.
If you are suffering from regular accidental cheek biting, consult your dentist. Routine check-ups with your dentist are always encouraged and a simple solution or dental appliance may solve the issue. If you realize that you may be biting your cheek frequently, can often be addressed with guidance and treatment options to maintain healthy oral hygiene.
Contact Plainsboro Dental Care at 609-799-4422, for all your dental needs and concerns.