Chronic cheek biting may be a sign of a mental health condition related to stress and anxiety. Treatment may include talk therapy, stress-relieving activities, and dental devices.

Chronic cheek biting, known as morsicatio buccarum, is characterized by repeatedly biting or chewing the inner lining (mucous membrane) of your mouth, such as the cheek, lips, and tongue.

It’s classified as a body-focused repetitive behavior (BFRB) in the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 5th Edition (DSM-5).

Occasional cheek biting may be a behavioral reaction to stressful periods like adolescence and pregnancy.

However, BFRBs are behaviors that are repeated despite continuing attempts to stop them or experiencing injury and distress. They typically start in late childhood and may continue into adulthood.

There’s no precise data on the number of people with morsicatio buccarum, but a 2013 review found that 750 out of 1 million people may have chronic cheek biting.

Keep reading to learn more about the types, causes, and treatments for chronic cheek biting.

There are five primary types of cheek biting:

  1. Periodic accidental: This refers to the occasional, accidental cheek bite. It’s not a cause for concern, but it may result in a canker sore.
  2. Regular accidental: If you accidentally bite down on your cheeks regularly — and more often than you would like — your teeth may not be in proper alignment or there may be something wrong with your jaw. A dentist can help you develop a solution, such as braces.
  3. During sleep: It’s possible to bite your cheek during sleep, such as nighttime teeth grinding. Using a mouth guard may help prevent direct contact of your teeth with your cheek.
  4. Habitual: This is a semiconscious activity. It may be replaced by another, less damaging behavior.
  5. BFRD: This is obsessive cheek biting that continues despite attempts to stop. It resembles other obsessive-compulsive behaviors, such as nail biting and hair pulling.

Chronic cheek biting is most commonly related to feelings of stress or anxiety.

Like other BFRDs, chronic cheek biting is often a subconscious behavior. You might not even be aware that you’re biting your cheek, such as if you’re bored, deep in thought, or sleeping.

Some cheek biters also have a “favorite” portion of the inner cheek, causing them to repeatedly chew on one area and causing a patch of raw and jagged skin.

According to the TLC Foundation, this could trigger an added compulsion to smooth the damaged area, creating a cycle of continuing or worsening injury.

Some possible causes of accidental or infrequent cheek biting may include:

  • talking while you’re chewing
  • playing contact sports
  • growing wisdom teeth
  • having a dental device problem, such as a mouth guard that doesn’t fit correctly

According to a 2013 review, children may bite their cheeks if they’re seeking attention from other people.

A 2019 study in 5,935 pregnant people also found that 1 in 10 participants had morsicatio buccarum.

Is cheek biting a stimming behavior?

Stimming refers to repetitive behaviors a person does for stimulation. It’s often associated with autism spectrum disorder.

Limited research has examined cheek biting behavior as stimming, but it may be classified as such because it’s a repeated behavior often done to help soothe stress, anxiety, and emotions.

Chronic cheek biting causes inflammation, lesions, and bumps inside the mouth that may lead to mouth sores and ulcers.

These oral lesions can also increase your risk of developing infections and scars inside your mouth, which may be painful and irritating.

The TLC Foundation notes that chronic cheek biting may also pose psychological and emotional complications.

For instance, compulsive cheek biters may experience feelings of guilt and shame about their self-injurious BFRB. This can lead to a feeling of hopelessness. Sometimes, they will go to great measures to stop other people seeing the behavior, which could limit their social activity and interaction.

Can chronic cheek biting cause cancer?

Chronic cheek chewing may cause severe damage to the inner lining of your mouth, known as chronic mechanical irritation (CMI).

A 2017 study found that CMI from teeth doesn’t cause oral cancer. But if cancer is present from another cause, CMI can promote and progress oral carcinogenesis.

Treatment for cheek biting will depend on the underlying cause and the frequency of your biting.

Habitual cheek biting can often be addressed with light guidance, self-discipline, and patience. The TLC Foundation notes that finding ways to distract yourself is the most important factor. Some techniques may include:

  • chewing gum
  • chewing healthy, crunchy snacks
  • drinking plenty of fluids
  • taking deep breaths when you feel the urge to chew on your cheek
  • identifying triggers that make the habit kick in, and then replacing the cheek biting with another activity like squeezing a ball or taping your fingers

Treatment for BFRB cheek biting and chewing should focus on emotional and behavioral components to help relieve stress and change habits.

Some steps that have been recommended include:

If these treatment methods don’t help, a healthcare professional may also recommend dental appliances like a mouth guard or, in some cases, surgery.

Chronic cheek biting is classified as a body-focused repetitive behavior, which may cause oral inflammation, lesions, and pain.

If you find yourself biting the inside of your cheek regularly, consider speaking with a healthcare professional. They could help you identify and understand potential triggers, as well as develop a treatment plan to manage your cheek-biting behavior.