{"id":360,"date":"2023-07-20T05:31:43","date_gmt":"2023-07-20T05:31:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.theoakbrookdentist.com\/blog\/?p=360"},"modified":"2023-08-28T05:35:39","modified_gmt":"2023-08-28T05:35:39","slug":"cheek-biting-harms-your-oral-health","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.theoakbrookdentist.com\/blog\/2023\/07\/20\/cheek-biting-harms-your-oral-health\/","title":{"rendered":"Can Cheek Biting Harm Your Oral Health?"},"content":{"rendered":"
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If you sometimes bite the inside of your cheek, you\u2019re not alone. Many people worldwide indulge in this seemingly harmless tic. However, you\u2019d actually do well to avoid it \u2013 cheek biting harms your oral health. In other words, maintaining the habit will damage your mouth. Thankfully, though, it\u2019s possible to resist cheek-biting behavior. Your McKinney dentist<\/a> can even show you how. To that end, here\u2019s a summary of cheek biting, how it affects oral health, and tips on how to stop it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Why Would People Bite Their Cheeks?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Many things can lead you to bite the inside of your cheek. Still, the reasons are usually physical or emotional.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At times, a physical factor can cause you to bite your cheek. You might do it while eating too quickly, eating too fast, talking during a meal, or getting injured. Likewise, a bite may occur if your wisdom teeth scrape your cheek.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Emotional motives can also prompt cheek-biting. After all, someone depressed or anxious might do it to relieve stress. In that scenario, the biting could be a body-focused repetitive behavior (BFRB).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Does Cheek Biting Harm Oral Health?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

No matter the cause or reason, cheek-biting harms your mouth. Overdoing it irritates your gums and similar tissues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example, the practice often triggers canker sores. That much is natural \u2013 biting your mouth\u2019s lining will upset it. From there, the resulting sores can cause struggles with eating and speaking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chronic cheek biting also leads to redness and tears in the mouth lining. If it\u2019s BFRB-related, it could also cause feelings of shame, guilt, or hopelessness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Can You Stop Doing It?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

To quit biting your cheeks, there are several things you should try. These include the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n