Cheek biting - how do I stop?

[shegoeshere]

I chew the inside of my cheeks. I've always done it, but lately it's out of control. It's giving me headaches as I'm making my neck /head tense as I pull my cheek into a suitable chewing position.

I used to bite my nails, but stopped that years ago. If I don't chew my cheek, I can feel a build up stress/tension in my jaw/shoulders until I've done it. It sounds stupid I know. Sometimes I distract myself, however I tend to end up chewing later when I'm not thinking about it.

Would a distraction technique work like wearing a wrist band and snapping it when you start chewing or chewing an ice cube. Just to get your brain refocused.
I'm sure I heard doing this type of thing over time gets you out of a habit or thinking about something.
Habits are so hard to break. Good luck.

I do this as well and it’s a nightmare. I do it more so on the left side and I’ve noticed lately my cheek has a funny indent even when it’s healed up and not as swollen. I really want to stop but find myself doing it without realising. I don’t know how to stop but I’ve found corsodyl mouthwash helps it to heal quicker

I bite my cheeks (& tongue) in y sleep, so I have a mouth guard from the dentist. If it's something you do while alone, this could be a possibility as it definitely works. It's hard to talk normally when it's in though so probably not something you could use permanently.

It may lead to serious health problems.

Search for hypnosis videos on YouTube or see a hypnotherapist to help you stop.

There are also self help videos available

Example on YouTube

Thanks for replies. I do have a mouth guard as I have TMJ - a wonky jaw. I hate it though. I don't sleep well when I'm wearing it and tend to take it out half way through the night. I suppose I could try wearing it during the day when I'm at home.

I do this all the time, especially watching tv and driving. I also bite my lips. The only thing I find good is putting lipstick on. The texture of the lipstick on your lips is instantly noticeable when you start munching away and draws your attention to the fact you are doing it.

I do this too. The only time in my life I haven't is the year I had a tongue piercing. I used to fiddle with the tongue stud instead if chewing my cheeks. It seems to be worse when I have a lot of neck tension

I do it too. So does my eldest daughter, my mother, and my grandmother!
Do any of you have relatives that do it? I swear it's an inherited habit!
I do wonder if it's an anxiety thing, but then I'm pretty sure I also do it when distracted. It comes and goes in phases.

My dad does it and one of my brothers! Definitely an anxious thing as I'm a big worrier. If I'm not chewing, I'm clenching my teeth or fiddling a tooth with my tongue.

Following! I do this and don't even notice I am until my DH points it out. I suffer with terrible tension headaches and shoulders so I wonder if it's linked!

If anyone is having issues with this as I have for many years you may want to try taking a multi vitamin. Everyone told me it was linked to anxiety but for me I knew it wasn’t. It was definitely much worse in winter and I also wondered if there was a link to being vegetarian. My doctor jokingly said maybe your body is looking for meat and it got me thinking. I am not sure yet if it is the B vitamins or the D but it solves it after about a week and I stop biting. Each time it happens I try this and I stop doing it. Hope it helps someone.

Oh that's interesting... thank you for sharing.