Cheek Biting, is a common habit that significantly affects oral health. Although infrequent cheek biting may not impact the body, it can lead to severe oral damage if the act occurs repeatedly. This article will explore the most common consequences of cheek biting and provide ways for Valley Village dentist to prevent and treat it.
Common Causes of Cheek Biting
Cheek biting is primarily caused by the following factors.
- Stress and anxiety: People often bite their cheeks when feeling anxious or threatened.
- Malocclusion: A bite, causes of biting, or teeth alignment can be a part of the problem.
- Idiopathic causes: It is defined as cheek biting with no known other condition, primarily reflecting habitual behavior.
The Impact on Oral Hygiene:
- Sores: Mouth sores can develop due to the constant harm from biting, causing pain, and, in some cases, potential infection.
- Tissue Damage: The insides of the mouth are soft and prone to the consequences of repetitive trauma.
- Infection: The sores may become open after the harm, presenting a threat for infection
- Tooth Damage: In the most severe cases and as a huge consequence, the teeth might get damaged.
Complications of Cheek Biting
- Oral Lesions: Chronic cheek biting may sometimes result in the development of oral lesions that may require medical treatment
- Scarring: Repeated severe cheek biting, which can result in scarring of the oral tissues with long-term sequelae cosmetically.
Strategies for Managing Cheek Biting
If you are struggling with a pesky cheek-biting habit, you may want to try the following:
- Stress Management: Since stress and anxiety are the driving factors of cheek biting, it can be helpful to address stress and find healthy ways to manage stress, which can help minimize the urge to bite your cheeks
- Behavioral Therapy: Cognitive-behavioral therapy can also help patients identify and change unwanted thoughts and behaviors associated with cheek-biting
- Orthodontic assistance: If malocclusion is the reason behind your cheek-biting habit, custom-fitted appliances can help in early prevention.
- The Mouth guards: It will help prevent your cheek from biting.
When to See a Dentist:
If you are having difficulty managing your cheek-biting habit or if you are experiencing complications from the behavior, seeking dental treatment is essential. Dentists can provide advice and assistance to help you combat this habit and protect the integrity of your oral health. In short, by understanding the causes and implications of cheek biting and the strategies used in managing a habit, the problem can be managed, and the risk of complications from the behavior is minimized.
