Do you chew the inside of your cheeks? If so, you may have moriscatio buccarum, which is a condition that occurs when someone obsessively chews on the skin of their cheeks, lips, or tongue. It is considered a body focused repetitive behavior and similar to skin picking and hair pulling.
If you chew the inside of your cheeks regularly, there may be an emotional or stress related trigger that causes you to do so. You may believe there is a blemish or lesion in the inside of your cheeks and wish to remove it. Also, you may not even realize you are chewing your cheeks and feel calm or relaxed when you are chewing.
Since cheek chewing is often correlated to anxiety, if you chew your cheeks often, it’s a good idea to see a therapist or psychologist. You may find that your cheek chewing is the result of a serious emotional problem.
It’s also a wise move to visit Mile High Smiles if you believe you may have moriscatio buccarum. This condition may damage the soft tissues in your mouth and should be checked out by Dr. Brian Levitin. You may be able to replace this bad habit with a habit such as chewing gum that is less damaging.
Keep in mind that accidental cheek biting while asleep is not typically an issue. You should only be concerned if you do this regularly while you are awake.
Schedule an Appointment at Mile High Smiles
If you believe you chronically chew your cheeks, call our office at 303-232-1830 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Levitin. He can help you pinpoint the cause and suggest a viable treatment option.
