The Link Between Cheek-Biting & Oral Health

When you think of your oral health, what’s the first thing you think of? Naturally, your pearly whites may have come to mind, and maybe even your gums. However, your oral health is the well-being of your entire oral-facial system that allows you to chew, smile, and speak. This includes the soft tissues of your mouth like the inside of your cheeks! If you tend to bite or chew on them, it can begin to impact the health of your entire smile. Read on to learn more about the connection between cheek-biting and your oral health, as well as some helpful tips to help you protect your smile.

Common Reasons for Cheek-Biting

There can be several reasons why people chew on the inside of their cheeks, including:  

• Accidental bite: It’s not entirely uncommon to unintentionally bite into the cheek while talking, eating, chewing too quickly, or when taking a blow to the face.
• Unconscious habit: Cheek-biting can often occur when people are distracted by something, like watching a movie or reading a novel. It is a habit they are doing unknowingly.
• Anxiety-related biting: Just like nail-biting, people may unconsciously bite the inner cheek due to stress, anxiety, or depression.
• Tooth deflection in an arch: If a tooth is sticking out towards the cheek (typically the back molars known as wisdom teeth), it can end up damaging the soft tissue.

How Does Cheek Biting Affect Oral Health?

A minor lesion occurring from biting into your cheek is not too much of a concern for your oral health. While you may experience slight discomfort for several days, your mouth will heal. However, if cheek-biting becomes more frequent, you are more likely to develop more serious (and painful) conditions like canker sores and ulcers. Once it develops into a chronic habit, you may even begin to develop redness and tears in the mucosa, or the inner lining of the cheek. This can create a cycle of damaged oral tissue, increasing the risk of infections and, in rare cases, oral cancer.

Helpful Tips to Protect Your Smile (and Cheeks!)

If you have become more aware of biting your cheek accidentally or frequently, you can take the time to explore what’s triggering this reaction. By taking proactive measures of getting to the root of the issue, you can begin to take measures to avoid further damaging the soft tissues of your mouth. A way to help you switch out of your automatic behavior is chewing sugar-free gum. This can help reduce your need to resort to cheek-biting.

Additionally, be sure to consult your dentist. They can give you a thorough examination to check to see if there are any underlying issues causing your habit. If you have any teeth that are angled toward the inner linings of the cheeks, they can suggest the best treatments to get your oral health back in top condition. Your dentist is always there to support you and guide you back to a thriving smile, even if the issue seems minor like cheek-biting.

About the Practice

Advanced Dental Care of Springfield is eager to help you keep your smile in top condition while you remain calm and at ease. Their team of dental experts offers a full range of services, including preventive, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency care. With over 1,000 reviews on Google, they achieve their goal of providing high-quality, caring dental service with advanced dental technology. To schedule an appointment, contact them through their website or call (217) 546-3333.