[HabitualQuitter]

I am a big cheek biter. I recently read that cheek biting can lead to mouth cancer. I quit smoking (Oct 2012) start cheek biting even more aggressively just to learn both habits can cause frickin mouth cancer!! Ugh. I grind my teeth in my sleep. I know I've done this since I was a 15 or so (from the accounts of others). I could never bite my nails, that's just gross to me. I think the cheek biting is the biggest part of my OCD...? I know once I get my hands into a project I absolutely cannot stop (cleaning, organizing, etc) until it's completed and perfect. Like seriously, I'll tell my kids to feed themselves if Im in a project at lunch! I'm not certain what symptoms of OCD I have or if it's even relevant to my other Dx's or whatever. I do know I have "hypographia" which Im also not sure is a true 'condition' but maybe a symtom of OCD. I check and triple check alarms, etc but I don't feel like I am a classic case of OCD by any means.

[Travelinglady]

Maybe you can talk to your dentist about your check biting and teeth grinding. I know some people wear a mouth guard to keep them from grinding their teeth.

[HabitualQuitter]

No dentist I'm in the USA & uninsured (it's a crap place to be).

[a bland]

im a cheek biter. always have been and i smoke so i guess im doom for mouth cancer hahahaha! i dont worry about it too bad. i guess im just use to it. i dont do it on purpose or anything but its just a bad habit of mine. and if u want to protect ur teeth from grinding them at night its best to get a mouth guard from a dentist but u can also get one of those sports mouth guard from like academy or a sports store.

[Travelinglady]

We have a cheap dentist office where I live. It's like an immediate care for dental problems.

Yes, you can get a sports mouth guard.

[picklewheeze]

I do the same, I mainly clench my jaw in my sleep and grind from time to time. For me, I think its more of a stress & anxiety thing than an OCD. I cheek bite all the time as well.

Medication has helped with my jaw clenching and grinding. Dentists do do like retainers for it, I personally couldnt sleep with that in my mouth. I see what you're saying about money as well though.

My only advice would be perhaps try meds, or relaxation techniques..

Sorry bit lame.

[Strawberry_Fields]

I have been biting my cheeks for as long as I can remember, I never knew it could lead to cancer???

[Moodswing]

Sooooooooooooooooooooo many people grind and clench their teeth at night and do not have any mental health issues. I need a night plate but my insurance will not cover it and my dentists want $1,500. I have bone loss and just had to have my gums cut and scaled on one side. Sure insurance will pay 80% of that but wont pay for preventive messures.