Did you know that habitual cheek biting can be considered an obsessive-compulsive disorder? It can begin as the result of an accidental bite while chewing food; or on a funnier note, from talking while you're trying to eat...we've all done that! Or it can be something you do absently when you're nervous or anxious. Some even do this in their sleep! Sometimes the problem goes away on its own, but habitual cheek biting has the potential to cause some serious problems; the obvious being mouth sores, but a more serious issue can be infection, because as we know, there are
millions of bacteria floating around in our mouths, both the good kind and the bad kind! Long term cheek biting can actually lead to oral cancer, so if you are in the habit you might want to consider some tips and suggestions to stop for good!
- Try chewing gum. It keeps the jaws busy and let's face it, you can't chew gum and bite your cheek at the same time, right?
- Mind over matter. This is hard. Really hard. But some have the ability to consciously stop a bad habit. Give it a try!
- Your dentist may be able to fit you with a night guard (this is especially beneficial if you bite your cheeks in your sleep.)
- Visit a specialist in the field of psychology. They may be able to shed some light on the cause of your nervous habit, at least.
Always try to keep your mouth clean. Brush regularly, rinse after meals and swish with a little lukewarm salt water before bed to aid in healing. Whatever you choose, try to break this habit as quick as you can.
As always, Keep Smiling!
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