Biting the inside of your cheek inadvertently is common. However, if it is happening consistently, it is a sign of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), which is triggered by stress and pressure. Repetitive cheek biting is a bad habit that can leave an abrasion on the inside of the mouth and affect any age group.
Similar to to skin picking (excoriation) and hair pulling (trichotillomania), chronic cheek biting is classified as Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition.
It may occur as a reaction to stress, anxiety, or boredom. Some people may even bite their cheek in their sleep. Research suggests that some people facing stressful situations may bite their cheeks. A 2019 study discovered an association between cheek biting and individuals with depression.
Body-focused repetitive behavior disorder is characterized by body-focused repetitive behaviors (eg, nail biting, lip biting, cheek chewing) and attempts to stop the behaviors. (hair-pulling disorder) and excoriation (skin-picking) disorder.
A common (but rarely discussed) comorbid diagnosis related to ADHD is body-focused repetitive behavior (BFRB), with symptoms ranging from nail biting to hair pulling to cheek biting that children and adults can't control.
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.
Cheek biting, also known as morsicatio buccarum, is a chronic condition characterised by repetitively biting the inside of the mouth. Cheek biting, similar to nail biting, is a stress-related habit that stems from anxiety and obsessive compulsive disorder, and if left untreated, can lead to serious health concerns.
Chronic Biting
Stress and anxiety can leave many gnawing at the soft skin inside their mouth, leaving their cheeks hurting, irritated, and swollen. Most of the time, people do it mindlessly and out of boredom. Habitual cheek biters often don't even realize that they are doing it.
OCD obsessions are repeated, persistent and unwanted thoughts, urges or images that are intrusive and cause distress or anxiety. You might try to ignore them or get rid of them by performing a compulsive behavior or ritual. These obsessions typically intrude when you're trying to think of or do other things.
Anxiety tongue often refers to the physical effects that anxiety may have on your tongue and mouth. These effects may include tingling, twitching, numbness, burning, or pain in your tongue or mouth. Treating anxiety may relieve your tongue symptoms.
The most common forms of stimming, both in neurotypical and neurodivergent people include humming, swaying side to side, biting nails, biting the inside of the cheek, tapping fingers or toes, and rubbing the skin.
Biting or chewing hard objects is part of stimming behaviours in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Stimming is a self-regulatory mechanism for people with ASD to cope with anxiety. Sensory processing disintegration is an established cause for stimming behaviours.
Many individuals believe that cheek biting is a bad, yet a harmless habit. However, this repetitive behaviour can be a symptom of the mental health condition, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) that is triggered by stress and anxiety.
Chewing and biting are sensory activities. They tap into the proprioceptive system that registers pressure in the joints. The resulting information goes to the brain for processing, which has a regulating effect on the nervous system. In other words, the child bites because he finds it soothing.
" Stimming ," also known as self-stimulating behaviors or stereotypy, are repetitive body movements or repetitive movements of objects.
Stimming can take many different forms: visual: staring off into space, drawing, spinning things like pens or coins. verbal/auditory: repeating sounds, excessive giggling, constantly clearing throat. tactile: rubbing fingers, chewing/biting nails, chewing the inside of cheeks.
Anxiety can cause facial numbness and a tingling sensation. These symptoms of anxiety may trigger fears of a serious medical problem, such as a stroke or head injury. Many different conditions can cause numbness, but tingling and numbness are among the most common anxiety symptoms, especially during a panic attack .
What is oral dysfunction? The term oral dysfunction encompasses a broad array of conditions that impair the normal and healthy function of the face and mouth. If you have oral dysfunction you may experience difficulty moving the jaw, lips, cheeks, or tongue.
Hold the tip of the chin in the right hand with the thumb resting under the chin and the index finger wrapped around the front. Softly push the right hand against the jaw. Slowly start to open the jaw while continuing to push against the chin. Hold the position for a few seconds, then slowly close the mouth.
People struggling with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) are often misdiagnosed as having other psychological conditions. One of the most common misdiagnoses for this population is Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). This diagnostic problem arises for two reasons.
The main symptoms of OCD are obsessions and compulsions that interfere with normal activities. For example, symptoms may often prevent you from getting to work on time. Or you may have trouble getting ready for bed in a reasonable amount of time.
Presentation. Primarily obsessional OCD has been called "one of the most distressing and challenging forms of OCD."