Beauties, we've already discussed nail and cuticle biting, but did you know there is another nervous nibbling habit? Lip and cheek biting. Gnawing on the inside of the cheeks is more common than you’d think. From accidental to chronic, there are a variety of reasons why biting can occur. So we chatted with Thomas P. Connelly, D.D.S., to find out the dangers of this bad beauty habit—and how to stop!
As a top New York City-based cosmetic dentist, Dr. Connelly sees a lot of cheek biting. "Cheek biting is the chewing of one’s inner mouth, which sometimes can include lips and tongue," says Dr. Connelly. "There are several causes of cheek biting, but sometimes it’s simply accidental." Ever try to chat while eating and end up nipping your lip or cheek? That careless—and often painful!—mishap is what he is talking about. Dr. Connelly says another reason for cheek noshing is misalignment. When your teeth aren't in the correct position, it can lead to chronic cheek chewing, which can be problematic. A lot of the time, the compulsive habit is just “nervous lip and cheek biting that’s akin to biting one’s nails," he says.
And just how harmful is this nibbling? “Biting one's cheeks often leaves sores, which can be dangerous if they get infected,” says Dr. Connelly. That is in extreme cases. Most of the time, “chronic soreness is probably the most harm,” he says. This discomfort is similar to when you bite your nails down too close to the skin. Not to mention, an open lesion will burn when you eat acidic, salty, or spicy foods, making daily munching a painful experience. Dr. Connelly also explains that while he has heard of mouth lesions sometimes being a cause of oral cancer, he doesn’t believe that any studies have proven that cheek biters may be more susceptible to cancer. “Any chronic mouth lesion could develop cancer over the long term, but the research and final word are spotty.”
Fixing this habit involves techniques similar to those used to cure nail biting. “The solution may be some kind of substitute or training that eliminates the habit,” says Dr. Connelly. “Try chewing sugarless gum to keep your mouth busy. Or if you are a lip biter, opt for a flavored lip balm or gloss. The taste will make you aware every time you chomp down.” The good news: Just like your fingertips, "once you stop biting, your mouth will heal itself," assures Dr. Connelly.
Jun 07, 2012
Gemma P.
i bite my cheeks and lips ALL THE TIME! i've tried so hard to cut it down as i constantly have chapped lips, but most of the time i seem to do it subconsciously. terrible habit.
Jan 27, 2012
Angela T.
I always , ALWAYS bite the inside of my mouth, was doing it just before I read this article!
definitely going to stop.
Jan 22, 2012
Amanda J.
I pick my lips more than anything... I always pick dead skin off of them... Probably not the best thing for me, lol.
Jan 23, 2012
Jani M.
Jan 22, 2012
Kimberly M.
Ive actually wondered about the possible lip chewing - cancer connection...
Jan 21, 2012
Harpreet G.
I think the advice to cure lip biting should be corrected to "try chewing BADLY flavoured lip balm" instead.
Jan 21, 2012
Andrea L.
Lol I just started to notice that i did this. And i would always find a sore in the same place. I hang onto the skin of the inside of my bottom lip, not out of nervousness...but out of habit. it's always swollen, which makes me want to chew it even more.
Then I get a sore, and then i like to mess with it. I don't mind the pain of it, and it doesn't stop me from chewing. I just started doing this too. The lip balm thing does nothing for me, lol it makes it even more of an enjoyable experience when i chomp. and tbh i know that I'm doing it but it doesn't bother me. O__o
Jan 21, 2012
Meghan O.
i do this all the time! :(
Jan 21, 2012
Skye W.
Jan 21, 2012
Rose W.
I constantly bite my lips and cheeks. It's a bad habit, and I typically do it when I am anxious. I have horrible anxiety sometimes and I will bite and chew until I feel like it's an even spot and even then, sometimes I can't stop. The aftermath is awful. I get these horrible pains in my mouth that I know I am the cause of. I usually use a numbing solution to ease the pain, but that only goes so far. I have been doing it since as long as I can remember. I'm thankful to know I'm not the only one who sees this as a problem, and that it's not just me being weird.
Jan 21, 2012
Kat K.
I get canker sores all the time and I've had them for several years. as soon as one goes away, some more just appear the next day. I know I dont have herpes, does that mean I could have oral cancer?
Jan 20, 2012
Blondee B.
omg i do that all the time lol im always biting my lips lol but i guess its just because im a nervous person, if i stop ill accquire a different nervous tick. lol i used to bite my nails, but i stopped when i started to bite my lips, and when i try to stop biting my lips i start to pick at the skin around my fingers and my nails end up looking horrible lol, and if i try to stop that i start to shake my legs which annoys everybody who knows me!!! haha i studder alot to when im nervous too try finding a cure for that hahaha