DENTAL HEALTH...CHEEK BITING

DENTAL HEALTH…CHEEK BITING

Nov 06, 2016 News

By Dr. Neromini Fagu

Cheek biting is something we all probably do and usually is not a cause for concern. A lot of us may have experienced it when eating at one time or another. For some people it is not a problem but for others it is a habit that is sometimes hard to kick. If it has never been an issue for you then you might not think that it is harmful. However, cheek biting can leave a nasty sore and if you continuously bite, the sore can get infected.
There are a number of reasons why people bite their cheek and they include the following:
Careless Chewing – It is something we all probably do occasionally and is one of the major causes of cheek biting. When you are chewing and you try to do something else or get distracted you may invariably bite down on your cheek.
Talking is usually the biggest reason for careless chewing. But it may also be due to reaching for something or reading while chewing food.
Stress and Anxiety
If you are under a lot of stress you may start biting the inside of your cheek. Many times it is a subconscious action done while you are awake. It may also happen during sleeping as a result of the stress from the previous day.
Teeth Misalignment
Misaligned teeth may contribute to chronic cheek biting. If your teeth don’t fit properly together when you close your mouth your brain tries to compensate for this by putting something in between to fill the gap. Sometimes it may be the cheek, lips or tongue that are used and end up getting bitten. Problems with your temporomandibular joint may also cause your bite to be “off”. If you have missing teeth that were not replaced then your existing teeth might shift causing improper alignment. Also, poor fitting dentures may also contribute to a bad bite.
Nervous Habits
Similar to nail biting or hair pulling, some people may bite their cheeks when they are nervous. It may become a type of obsessive-compulsive behavior that is worsened with anxiety and stressful situations.
Constant biting of the inside of the cheek will eventually cause sores and swellings making it more difficult to avoid biting your cheek. A bitten cheek can be very painful so here are a few methods to try to help stop cheek biting.
Avoid Distraction when Eating
Pay attention when you are eating. Chew slowly and carefully to avoid accidental cheek biting.

Relaxation Techniques
Try to relax through deep breathing techniques, yoga, or meditation. This will help to relieve anxiety and stress and prevent the biting. If you find you chew your cheeks or lips when nervous, then try chewing sugarless gum instead.
Bite Correction
If your problem is due to misaligned teeth, you may need to get your bite corrected to eliminate the behaviour. Orthodontic and maxillofacial procedures may be needed to correct misaligned teeth and jaws.
Mouth Guard
Your dentist may suggest you be fitted with a mouth guard to help control the cheek biting.
Quit Unhealthy Habits
Don’t suck or rub your cheeks against your teeth.
If you suffer from cheek biting make sure you keep the wound clean. You can use a hydrogen peroxide or warm salt water rinse. You can apply a cold compress to the wound site for relief and try to avoid hot and spicy foods and beverages. If the pain persists for more than 24 hours or you develop a fever and notice a strange odour coming from the wound you should consult your dentist.

For more information contact OMNI DENTAL at 295 Quamina Street, Georgetown Tel: 227-0025, Parika Tel: 260-3133 or send emails to nerominifagu@hotmail.com.

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