Cheek Biting: Causes, Complications, And How To Stop
Maybe your like
- Health Conditions
Health Conditions
- Alzheimer's & Dementia
- Anxiety
- Asthma & Allergies
- Atopic Dermatitis
- Breast Cancer
- Cancer
- Cardiovascular Health
- COVID-19
- Diabetes
- Endometriosis
- Environment & Sustainability
- Exercise & Fitness
- Eye Health
- Headache & Migraine
- Health Equity
- HIV & AIDS
- Human Biology
- Leukemia
- LGBTQIA+
- Men's Health
- Mental Health
- Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
- Nutrition
- Parkinson's Disease
- Psoriasis
- Sexual Health
- Ulcerative Colitis
- Women's Health
- Health Products
Health Products
All- Nutrition & Fitness
- Vitamins & Supplements
- CBD
- Sleep
- Mental Health
- At-Home Testing
- Men’s Health
- Women’s Health
- Discover
News
- Latest News
- Medicare 2026 Costs
Original Series
- Medical Myths
- Honest Nutrition
- Through My Eyes
- New Normal Health
Podcasts
All- Artificial sweeteners and brain aging: What we know so far
- Does the Mediterranean diet hold the key to longevity?
- AMA: Registered dietitian answers 5 key questions about fiber and weight loss
- Health misinformation and disinformation: How to avoid it
- Brain health, sleep, diet: 3 health resolutions for 2025
- 5 things everyone should know about menopause
- Tools
General Health
- Drugs A-Z
- Health Hubs
- Newsletter
- Medicare Plans by State
Health Tools
- Find a Doctor
- BMI Calculators and Charts
- Blood Pressure Chart: Ranges and Guide
- Breast Cancer: Self-Examination Guide
- Sleep Calculator
Quizzes
- RA Myths vs Facts
- Type 2 Diabetes: Managing Blood Sugar
- Ankylosing Spondylitis Pain: Fact or Fiction
- Connect
About Medical News Today
- Who We Are
- Our Editorial Process
- Content Integrity
- Conscious Language
Find Community
- Bezzy Breast Cancer
- Bezzy MS
- Bezzy Migraine
- Bezzy Psoriasis
Follow Us
Medically reviewed by Christine Frank, DDS — Written by Jessica Caporuscio, PharmD on August 8, 2019- What is cheek biting?
- Causes
- Complications
- How to stop
- Seeing a doctor
- Summary
Some people bite their cheek compulsively over a long period. Chronic cheek biting is a body-focused repetitive behavior that has an association with obsessive-compulsive disorder. It may also occur during sleep.
Cheek biting and the biting of other areas in the mouth affect 750 out of every 1 million people. Research suggests that this behavior is more common in females than in males.
Cheek biting can affect people of all ages, but it may be more likely in children. In an older survey from 2005, researchers showed that the prevalence of cheek and lip biting in children between the ages of 2 and 17 years in the United States was slightly under 2%.
Keep reading to learn more about the causes and complications of cheek biting and when to see a doctor.
What is cheek biting?
Share on PinterestThere are many reasons why people bite their cheek. Cheek biting can sometimes be a minor accident, but it may also be due to a mental health condition.
Careless chewing or talking while eating can sometimes result in someone biting their cheek accidentally. Accidental biting can cause injury and inflammation at the location of the bite.
If someone is regularly biting their cheek accidentally, they may wish to discuss it with a dentist. This symptom may be due to the teeth or implants becoming misaligned in the mouth. People with temporomandibular disorders may also frequently bite their cheeks.
People who chronically bite their cheek may be experiencing a body-focused repetitive behavior. Cheek biting may also occur during sleep.
Chronic cheek biting is a more serious condition that requires appropriate medical attention. The current Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) includes it among obsessive-compulsive and related disorders.
Other body-focused repetitive disorders include hair pulling, nail biting, and lip biting.
Causes
Unless the behavior is due to an ill-fitting dental device or another dental problem, chronic cheek biting often has a psychological cause.
Some researchers think that body-focused repetitive behaviors may have a genetic factor. If this is the case, having an immediate family member, such as a parent or sibling, with body-focused repetitive behavior may increase a person’s risk of the condition.
Researchers are currently trying to determine which genes may play a role in body-focused repetitive behaviors, which may help doctors diagnose and treat these behaviors in the future.
Many other factors may also contribute to a person developing chronic cheek biting. These include stress, as well as emotional and environmental factors.
Complications
When someone repeatedly bites their cheek, the area can become thick, scarred, and paler than the surrounding tissue. Sometimes, the affected area may become inflamed with purple spots.
When the lining of the cheek becomes irregular, the person may have the desire to continue biting the area to try to create a smooth surface.
In more severe cases, dentists may notice eroded tissue in the cheek.
The complications of chronic cheek biting are not only physical. People who chronically bite their cheek may stop engaging in social activities to prevent others from observing the behavior.
Some people may feel shame, isolation, and low self-esteem in relation to their body-focused repetitive behaviors, which can affect their overall well-being.
How to stop
If a person is regularly biting their cheek, they may want to speak to a dentist to ensure that their teeth or implants remain properly aligned. If necessary, the dentist may advise a person to visit an orthodontist, who can repair a misalignment to prevent regular cheek biting.
Sometimes a dentist will prescribe a mouthguard to a person who regularly bites their cheek. A mouthguard can prevent any further damage to the tissue and give it a chance to heal. Dentists will recommend using the mouthguard until the tissue has completely healed.
People who chronically bite the inside of their cheek should speak to a doctor about whether they have a body-focused repetitive behavior.
A doctor may suggest one of the following types of therapy:
- cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
- habit reversal training
- comprehensive behavioral treatment
- acceptance and commitment therapy
- dialectical behavioral therapy, or DBT
Sometimes, doctors may recommend medication in addition to psychotherapy.
The most effective treatment that a person can receive is one that addresses both the behavior and the underlying cause. A therapist will help a person discover what is driving their need to chew their cheeks and develop a plan for managing the cause.
There is no robust evidence to show that special diets, electrical stimulation, hypnosis, massage, or other practices are effective in treating body-focused repetitive behaviors.
When to see a doctor
If a person is regularly biting their cheek by accident, they should consult a dentist. The dentist will be able to determine the reason and help correct any misalignments.
Chronic cheek biting requires medical attention to address the cause of the behavior. Some people for whom cheek biting is a self-injurious behavior are unaware of the problem and may not seek medical attention.
The loved ones of a person with body-focused repetitive behaviors can maintain a supportive relationship with the individual and encourage them to speak with a doctor or therapist if they have concerns.
Summary
Cheek biting may occasionally be a harmless accident or the result of misaligned teeth, but many people experience chronic cheek biting. Chronic cheek biting is a body-focused repetitive behavior that relates to obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Doctors prescribe psychotherapy to help people resolve chronic cheek biting. Sometimes, people may also need to take medications.
The complications of chronic cheek biting are not only physical. Many people feel shame and low self-esteem because of this behavior, which may lead them to avoid social and career-related interests.
A therapist will aim to treat both the chronic cheek biting and the underlying cause of the behavior.
- Dentistry
- Mental Health
- Ear, Nose, and Throat
How we reviewed this article:
SourcesMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.- Afrashtehfar, K. I., & Belser, U. C. (2018). Prevention and management of cheek and/or tongue biting related to posterior implant-supported fixed dental prostheses (ISFDPs) [Abstract].https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29855110
- Alzahem, A. M. (2017). Cheek bite keratosis among temporomandibular disorder patients.http://www.jidonline.com/article.asp?issn=2229-5194;year=2017;volume=7;issue=3;spage=87;epage=90;aulast=Alzahem
- Bhatia, S. K., et al. (2013). Habitual biting of oral mucosa: A conservative treatment approach.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3793567/
- Golomb, R., et al. (2016). Expert consensus treatment guidelines. Body-focused repetitive behaviors: Hair pulling, skin picking, and related disorders.https://www.bfrb.org/storage/documents/Expert_Consensus_Treatment_Guidelines_2016w.pdf
- Traube, M. (n.d.). About chronic cheek biting.https://www.bfrb.org/learn-about-bfrbs/cheek-biting
Share this article
Medically reviewed by Christine Frank, DDS — Written by Jessica Caporuscio, PharmD on August 8, 2019Latest news
- A 1-week social media break could boost your mental health
- Certain changes in driving patterns may point to cognitive decline, dementia
- Eating takeout food too often may increase cardiovascular disease risk
- Between sleep and exercise, choose sleep, research suggests
- To keep your heart healthy, try drinking more orange juice
Related Coverage
- How to stop anxious lip bitingMedically reviewed by Timothy J. Legg, PhD, PsyD
Many people bite their lip when they are anxious or uncomfortable, which can result in redness and sores on the lips. In extreme cases this is called…
READ MORE - How to stop biting the nailsMedically reviewed by Debra Rose Wilson, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., IBCLC, AHN-BC, CHT
What tips, strategies, and treatments can help a person stop biting their nails? Read on to learn more about onychophagia and how to stop it.
READ MORE - Everything you need to know about stomatitis
Stomatitis is the most common disease affecting the mouth, with up to a quarter of the United States population being affected. It is an infection of…
READ MORE - Causes and effects of adult thumb suckingMedically reviewed by Timothy J. Legg, PhD, PsyD
Thumb sucking is common in children, but some continue this habit into adulthood. Learn the causes of adult thumb sucking and how to stop.
READ MORE - Positive triggers: How to identify and use them
Positive triggers are any stimuli that bring about positive emotions. Learn more about these triggers and how they can affect people here.
READ MORE
Tag » How To Stop Cheek Biting
-
Cheek Biting: Causes, Consequences, And Treatment - Healthline
-
Cheek Biting In Adults: What You Need To Know | Colgate®
-
Morsicatio Buccarum (chronic Cheek Biting) - Medical News Today
-
Here's Why You Keep Biting Your Cheek - VIPcare Dental
-
Cheek Biting – TLC Foundation For BFRBs
-
Ever Wondered Why You Bite The Insides Of Your Cheeks?
-
4 Easy Ways To Stop Biting Your Lips And Cheeks - WikiHow
-
How To Stop Cheek Biting - Pro Teeth Guard
-
Cheek Biting: Causes, Effects, And How To Stop
-
Cheek Biting: Everything You Need To Know
-
How To Heal Cheek Bites + Finally Stop Biting Them - JS Dental Lab
-
Cheek Biting
-
Is Mouth & Cheek Biting Linked To Anxiety And Stress?