Chewing my face

[Isthisbatcountry]

Does anyone do this? I literally do it all day. I chew the inside of my mouth sometimes to the point that it bleeds. Its a very compulsive behaviour and I don't even realise I'm doing it half the time. I really want to stop. I'm starting to get lines around my mouth from doing it and it gives me an awful tension headache.

I do have history of anxiety problems but I'm much better now than in the past. I dont feel like my anxiety is getting worse. I do think it's more of a habit, like biting nails. I just can't seem to stop and its really starting to bother me.

Any tips/suggestions of getting out of this habit?

No but I do the same. Don’t even notice I’m doing it either.

Yeah but I've had teeth removed so now I can't

I admit it's an extreme solution

I'm mostly tearing at my lips these days 😢

I used to do this. And would chew my knuckles or thumb. I'm not sure why I did it. Or why it stoppedz

I'm sorry you are all experiencing the same. Hopefully someone will come along with a good coping strategy.

It does seem like a common issue, I've noticed a few of my friends doing it too.

I have done this since I went to boarding school age 11. I have read it is a mouth cancer risk, so I really want to stop, but I am usually not aware until afterwards that I have chewed it.

I've read it's a cancer risk too, and I'm an occasional smoker so it really worries me

Yes me! I have no idea why it started but I can’t stop. Had no idea about the cancer risk

It is very likely linked to anxiety. I nibble my skin around my nails a lot when a bit worried, stressed etc but when I had very long period of stress and high anxiety I pulled out my hair and picked at ingrowing hairs on my leg until they were just holes.

It is worth a trip to the GP if self help isn't working.

I have spoken to the GP in the past about my anxiety. The two options offered to me were medication or therapy. I've gone down the therapy route previously and it has helped enormously but I don't think my anxiety levels are high enough to justify the cost. I dont really want to go down the medication route personally.

I did wonder if hypnotherapy would work.

Botox? I found when I had filler in my top lip it stopped me chewing it. I was really damaging the skin.

Other than treating the anxiety itself, would a mouth guard like the ones used to prevent tooth grinding at night work? Or maybe chewing gum instead?

I sometimes carry tension around my jaw and I remind myself to “rest” my tongue against the roof of my mouth as it relaxes the area.

You could wear a plastic mouth guard.
I have one for teeth grinding.
Even wearing it sometimes breaks the habit.

I dont fancy botox if I'm honest, but thanks though.

A mouth guard could work, I could wear it during the day when not on the phone for work. Sometimes the problem can be that I have a jagged bit in my mouth which I must chew, which then turns into another one which is a never ending cycle. A mouth guard may help my mouth recover for a bit and then it might help the urge. It's a cheap option too so will try it. Thanks!

I did wonder if hypnotherapy would work

It should do. It's a subconscious behaviour that's been learnt (probably as a self soothing/distraction technique) so hypnotherapy should be able to stop it.

Yes this is just what I do too.

Eg The pattern of chewing, not the mouth guards.

I have no idea why I do it and probably not aware I do till I have a hole in my under lip. Usually I'm just watching tv or something. Done it since I was 8 now im 37 lol

I've done this since I was a child, a few months ago I developed a polyp on my cheek which grew and I had to have it removed. Whilst it was healing I couldn't chew my mouth and that seems to have broken the habit of a lifetime. I was going to try a mouthguard to do this but haven't had to. I think anything that can break the habit is must, I didn't know about the link to cancer.

I'm 45 and done this since being little. I hate it. I too have lines on my skin. I too get tension headaches. I was chewing my mouth while reading!

Gobstopper?

I have seen it can be a symptom of adhd

I do and have done since before I was 10 (I remember getting told off for it on a holiday). It’s annoying but I can’t stop.

I do this. To the point my jaw aches from all the chewing. I do have anxiety and I definitely do it more the more anxious I am