Why do I keep biting my cheek?
William Rodriguez
Published Jan 08, 2026
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 .
Why do I keep biting the inside of my cheeks?
Some people think of cheek biting as a harmless, bad habit similar to nail biting. Though it appears to be a repetitive behavior, it can be a sign of a mental health condition similar to obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) driven by stress and anxiety.
Why do I keep accidentally biting the inside of my mouth?
An abundance of accidental bites could be a sign of something more serious like a misaligned bite (malocclusion) or even TMJ (temporomandibular joint disorder). When teeth don't align properly, the likelihood of your cheek, lip, or tongue getting in between them increases.
How do I stop biting the same spot in my mouth?
Other treatment options for habitual lip biting may include:
- cognitive behavioral therapy.
- counseling.
- relaxation techniques.
- hypnosis.
- acupuncture.
- prescription sedatives.
- prosthetic shields or soft mouth guards.
- replacement behaviors, such as chewing gum instead.
Why do I keep biting my cheek and tongue?
If this is the case, it could be a sign of something a bit more serious such as a bad bite or TMJ disorder. Both of these dental concerns can mean that your top teeth don't line up properly with your bottom teeth which makes it really easy for an accidental chomp to your cheek, lip, or tongue to occur.
42 related questions foundWhat helps cheek bites?
Follow these steps if you notice a bite:
- Apply ice packs for first 3 days. ...
- Rinse with salt water two times a day for 3 days.
- Give your child Tylenol or Motrin for pain.
- Apply topical numbing ointments available over-the-counter at any pharmacy.
Is cheek biting common?
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.
How long does it take for a bitten cheek to heal?
If you accidentally bite your tongue or the inside of your cheek, you may end up with a canker sore. Other possible causes are infection, certain foods, and stress. Canker sores are not contagious. The pain from your canker sore should decrease in 7 to 10 days, and it should heal completely in 1 to 3 weeks.
What is biting the inside of your mouth called?
Chronic cheek biting (morsicatio buccarum) is a compulsive behavior that causes an individual to repeatedly bite the inside of the cheek. Akin to skin picking (excoriation) and hair pulling (trichotillomania), chronic cheek biting is classified as a body-focused repetitive behavior (BFRB).
Can wisdom teeth cause you to bite your cheek?
Can they cause problems? The answer is yes- There are several common issues: First, in many people erupted wisdom teeth can cause frequent cheek biting resulting in sores, ulcers, or fibromas. It causes pain and are quite uncomfortable.
Can biting your cheek cause a lump?
Trauma from accidentally biting your cheek or lip or even poor dental hygiene practices can result in these cysts. Symptoms of mucoceles often include raised swelling (a bump), softness in the area, tenderness, or a bluish/whitish color.
Is biting the inside of your cheek anxiety?
Most of us understand it as a bad habit similar to nail biting because on the surface, it would seem like a benign repetitive behavior. However, under further consideration, the behavior may be a byproduct of an obsessive and compulsive reaction to stress and anxiety.
What is cheek biting called?
Chronic cheek biting (known as morsicatio buccarum) is a compulsive behavior that repeatedly causes someone to bite the inside of their cheek. It's classified as a body-focused repetitive behavior (BFRB).
Can a cheek bite get infected?
The irritation resulting from cheek biting may also lead to a bacterial infection, which causes an inflammation, known as stomatitis, Stomatitis, which causes a sore and inflamed mouth, makes it difficult for a patient to talk, eat, or sleep.
What is the white pimple in mouth?
Canker sores appear inside the mouth. They usually are small ulcers (minor aphthous ulcers) with a white, yellow or gray center and a flat red border. Rarely, canker sores can be very large (major aphthous ulcers) with a raised border. There may be one or several ulcers and they recur at varying periods of time.
Does your tongue look weird with Covid?
For a while we've been noticing an increasing number of people reporting that their tongue doesn't look normal, particularly that it is white and patchy. Professor Tim Spector, COVID Symptom Study lead, tweeted about this in January and got a lot of responses - and some pictures!
Why are my gums white under my teeth?
Gingivitis is a bacterial infection of the gums. It's most often caused by poor brushing and flossing habits. As a result, your gums could turn white and recede.
What is the white stuff on the inside of my cheek?
Lichen planus is a long-term condition that affects the skin and mucus membranes. When it affects the mouth it is called oral lichen planus, and appears as white patches or web-like threads inside the cheeks.
Why do I want to bite things?
According to a research conducted psychological scientists of Yale University, the desire to pseudo-bite or squeeze anything we find excruciatingly cute is actually a neurochemical reaction. As per the researchers, it is basically our brain's way of preventing us from getting too overwhelmed and distracted.