Cheek and lip biting is a common habit that a significant portion of the population exhibits subconsciously. It typically occurs under pressure, while daydreaming, or as an unconscious behavior when deep in thought.

Although occasional biting may look inconsequential, chronic cheek or lip biting can contribute to the development or worsening of jaw misalignment, which describes the misfit of teeth and jaws.

With prolonged repetition, repeated pressure from the cheeks and lips against the teeth can cause dental displacement. This is especially true in growing individuals whose skeletal structures remain malleable and are more responsive to external forces.

Recurrent lip pressure can retract anterior teeth, leading to dental overcrowding or an deep bite. Similarly, repeated cheek trauma can induce tissue irritation, which can disrupt the normal orientation of molars and premolars.

Occasionally, chronic cheek biting can result in the development of fibrous tissue that permanently limits mandibular function. This hinders proper bite development and heightens the probability of undergoing corrective dental intervention in adulthood.

In turn, people with malocclusion may be at higher risk for cheek and lip biting because crooked dentition create abnormal ridges that frequently snag the soft tissues during mastication or talking.

It forms a vicious pattern: misaligned teeth cause trauma, and oral habits exacerbate dental displacement.

Breaking the habit requires awareness and often habit-reversal training or 墨田区 前歯矯正 the application of orthodontic devices to reduce contact between lips and dental arches.

Clinicians routinely assess for signs of cheek or lip biting during evaluations because it can be an key diagnostic marker in determining etiological factors of a patient’s occlusal dysfunction.

Addressing this habit early, in children and teens, can reduce the risk of complex dental misalignments and decrease the likelihood of major corrective interventions in the future.