Strategies to Prevent Cheek Biting During Sleep
I'm a 19-year-old Filipino, and I hope this question isn't too silly. Recently, while eating, I accidentally bit the inside of my cheek, and now I have a sizable sore on that side. It’s not excruciating, but it’s definitely a hassle. To manage it, I’ve been using betadine antiseptic mouthwash and rinsing for about two minutes every few hours, following the directions on the label. It seems to provide some relief after use, although I'm uncertain about its effectiveness in the long term. During the day, the sore seems to improve, but at night, I struggle. I unknowingly end up pressing and chewing on my cheek in my sleep, leading to a painful, irritated area upon waking. I’m wondering if there are effective methods to prevent myself from biting my cheek while I sleep. Occasionally, during the day, it gets caught on my molars, but I can usually resolve that by repositioning my jaw. I suspect I might just have to cope with this situation, which I’m used to since I’ve experienced similar issues before (though typically in less bothersome places). Nonetheless, any suggestions to alleviate this would be greatly appreciated. (P.S. I made a typo in my previous post.)
Answers (1)
12/17/2025, 3:00:51 AM
OpenHealth AI
It's understandable to feel frustrated with cheek biting, especially while you're trying to heal a sore. Let's focus on both healing your current sore and preventing future cheek bites during sleep.
Main Points:
- Healing your current sore effectively.
- Strategies to prevent cheek biting during sleep.
Explanation:
Biting the inside of your cheek can lead to irritation and sores, which can be uncomfortable when combined with nighttime habits that exacerbate the problem. The antiseptic mouthwash (like Betadine) can help reduce the risk of infection and support healing. However, we should also explore ways to reduce your cheek biting, especially during sleep.
Next Steps:
For Healing the Sore:
-
Continue Using Antiseptic Mouthwash: Maintain your routine with the Betadine mouthwash, as it helps with healing. You might also try rinsing your mouth with warm salt water (1 teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water) a few times a day to promote healing.
-
Avoid Irritating Foods: Choose soft foods and avoid spicy, acidic, or crunchy items that may irritate the sore further as it heals.
For Preventing Cheek Biting at Night:
-
Consider a Mouthguard: You may benefit from using a soft mouthguard while sleeping. These can create a barrier, preventing your teeth from biting your cheek. You can find over-the-counter options at pharmacies, or consider visiting a dentist for a custom-fit guard.
-
Mindfulness Techniques: Before sleeping, practice relaxation and grounding techniques. Being mindful of your jaw position as you fall asleep can help reduce unconscious biting.
-
Positioning: If you tend to sleep on your side, try adjusting your sleeping position or using a special pillow that supports your head and neck, which may help keep your jaw aligned better during sleep.
-
Watch for Stress Triggers: If you notice that stress leads to jaw clenching or teeth grinding, consider incorporating stress-management practices into your daily routine, such as deep-breathing exercises, yoga, or meditation.
Keeping track of when you bite your cheek and any patterns you notice can also be helpful in identifying triggers. If the problem persists or worsens, assessing with a dental professional might uncover further underlying issues or effective solutions.
Let me know if you'd like more details on any of these steps!
Related Questions
Understanding My Experiences with Dissociation and Physical Symptoms
Hello everyone! I'm 15 years old and I’ve been grappling with intense feelings of dissociation recently. About two years back, I experienced what I now refer to as a "silent seizure" for the first time. It happened around 2 PM while I was at school in the band hall. Suddenly, I found myself zoning out completely; I was just sitting there, disassociated from reality, until it dawned on me that I couldn’t seem to reconnect with my surroundings. Feeling lost, I turned to a friend and anxiously asked, "Where am I?" She chuckled, unaware of the seriousness of my situation, but I stood up and wandered out of the classroom, aimlessly walking towards the bathrooms. The sensation was akin to being in a dream—you know you’re somewhere, yet you can’t fully engage with the moment for what felt like 5 to 10 minutes. Strangely, I even had the feeling of observing myself from above as I moved through the halls, like a scene from a dream. In a state of panic, I contacted my mom. By the time I managed to leave school, my mind was clearing. She took me to her workplace where a colleague checked my blood sugar levels, revealing it was low. I had eaten that day, so this was unexpected (especially since my mother also faces issues with low blood sugar). This occurrence was unprecedented for me; thankfully, I haven’t faced such low levels since then. In the following weeks, I experienced intermittent dissociative episodes, prompting me to visit a doctor. I underwent blood tests, an electrocardiogram (EKG), and a routine examination. Everything appeared normal, except I was diagnosed with anemia—something my mother and sister also deal with. I walked away from that appointment without any real explanations, and after a while, the episodes subsided—thankfully, a relief. FAST FORWARD TO NOW: (15 years old) (Potentially relevant context) Recently, I’ve been enduring severe heart and chest discomfort. I’ve been noticing irregular heartbeats, sporadic strong pulsations, and sharp pain localized in my heart region and upper right chest. Lying on my side can be quite painful, and sometimes I struggle to take deep breaths. I make it a priority to get a full eight hours of sleep each night, I take daily vitamins, and I’m actively involved in competitive cheerleading, maintaining a healthy fitness level for my height and weight. We sought medical advice again, underwent numerous tests, and, once more, everything checked out fine. My heart was deemed healthy, and all other measurements were satisfactory. Initially, we suspected anxiety might be a factor, but my mom is hesitant to consider antidepressants, believing that my age may limit treatment options. She has recommended that I hydrate more and practice breathing exercises (which is somewhat ironic since I struggle to breathe when these pains occur, yet I don’t argue). UPDATE: During practice today, I unexpectedly experienced my first "silent seizure" episode in two years. It was more disconcerting than I recalled. I lost track of my location again and couldn’t re-engage with reality. It felt as if I was observing those around me from a dream-like vantage point. This realization frightened me, thinking that I had moved past these episodes. It took about ten minutes for me to regain my awareness of my environment. Additionally, this week, I noticed moments of dissociation, albeit not as intense as previous episodes. I found myself vacantly staring, and my vision felt oddly lazy, frequently. It's worth noting that I do not have a lazy eye. I plan to document these occurrences meticulously, and if they persist, I will consult my doctor again. Meanwhile, if anyone has suggestions about what might be happening to me, I would greatly appreciate it. Is this potentially linked to anxiety? I’m genuinely confused about my condition!
Identifying a Mysterious Brown Circle on My Scalp
Age: 21 Gender: Female Height: 5'4" Weight: 175 lbs Ethnicity: White (Scottish/Irish) Location: California Current Medication: Testosterone injection administered subcutaneously in the thigh While I was having my hair dyed blue, my girlfriend noticed a perfectly circular brown mark on my scalp. It resembles a circle that appears to have been made with a brown marker. The size of the ring is similar to my thumb’s tip and contrasts sharply with the lighter shade of my scalp. There is no evidence of hair thinning or loss around this circle; we only discovered it because we were parting my hair. I’m curious if this could be connected to the brain fog or headaches I’ve been experiencing lately. I looked online, and while ringworm was suggested, it doesn’t match my symptoms since there are no bald patches or flaky skin. I’m open to answering any additional questions to help clarify this situation, as it's causing me some concern.
Should I Seek Medical Attention for a Possible Spinal Injury?
Greetings! I’m a 20-year-old male, and while I’m not overly anxious about my situation, I've been experiencing enough discomfort to consider it. Three days prior, I went snowboarding and attempted to navigate a box, which is essentially a flat metal structure with a slight ramp at the end. Unfortunately, I lost my balance close to the end of the box and landed squarely on my backside. This caused my back and head to make hard contact with the ground. At first, I didn’t perceive much pain in my back or head; instead, the primary source of pain seemed to be my rear, which felt as if it had developed a noticeable lump. However, I dismissed it at the time. The following day, the soreness persisted, alongside generalized discomfort throughout my upper body. Every time I coughed, I felt pain that radiated from my neck down to my abdomen, which was tender to the touch. I asked my girlfriend to check for any visible injuries, and although my butt showed no bruising, I did notice around five bruises along my spine. I’m questioning whether I should consult a physician. I usually avoid going to the doctor unless absolutely necessary, having only visited twice in the last four years (excluding vaccinations during my teenage years). I tend to prefer toughing things out to save on medical expenses, but if the situation warrants it, I wouldn’t hesitate to seek help as I did last year for an ear infection. What do you think – should I consider getting checked out?
Seeking Insight on Abnormal Neuroimaging Results
A 42-year-old female, standing 6 feet tall and weighing 194 pounds, has been grappling with cognitive challenges for over three years. She has a clinical history that includes a diagnosis of Bipolar II disorder coupled with generalized anxiety, which she manages effectively through a regimen of an antidepressant, a mood stabilizer, and medications for anxiety. Currently, she is under the care of her fifth neurologist in the Boston region. An FDG-PET scan revealed a significant decline in metabolic functions, showing a 30-40% reduction within the left parietal lobe and a 20% decrease in both mesial temporal lobes. As part of her evaluation, a lumbar puncture was performed to assess amyloid and tau protein levels, with results coming back negative. Although a radiologist recommended pursuing an amyloid PET scan to gain further insights, her neurologist has declined this option. Despite the neurologist's suggestion that her indications might fit into the Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) category, she remains unconvinced and believes there must be an identifiable underlying cause for her symptoms and the irregularities observed in her scans. She is seeking advice on the next steps to take in pursuing a clearer diagnosis or understanding of her condition.
Worsening Memory Problems Over Time
Age: 25 Weight: 175 lbs Current Medications: Modafinil (200mg); Lexapro (10 mg); Lamotrigine (100mg in the morning + 100 mg in the evening); Cyproheptadine (4 mg); Vraylar (1.5 mg) Supplements: Iron; Vitamin B12; Vitamin D; Salt tablets Health Background: Long-standing, stubborn migraines (resolved as of May 2025, originally began in April 2016); Depression (currently very stable); Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) (experimented with various stimulants with no improvement in memory); Chronic fatigue syndrome (developed a few years after memory problems began). I possess a documented medical history concerning my memory challenges. Around 2012, I underwent neurological evaluations that included an IQ assessment. The clinician indicated that my memory performance was particularly low, affecting my overall IQ representation, while I scored at or above average in most other areas. In approximately 2017, a neurologist referred me for a neuropsychological evaluation. Unfortunately, the results were deemed "inconclusive" due to inconsistent findings, with the provider stating my memory levels mirrored the previously reported low scores. Fast forward to 2023, when I underwent another neuropsych evaluation, which indicated my working memory was significantly below the average range. The clinician expressed uncertainty regarding effective treatment options for my memory issues, suggesting avenues such as ADHD medications, stress management, enhancing sleep quality, and mental health support—areas which I have pursued or tried to improve. Here is a summary of the strategies and treatments I've explored: - **Sleep Study**: Diagnosed with mild sleep apnea when lying on my back, although I typically sleep in other positions. - **Antidepressants**: Tried various types repeatedly, yet without noticing any significant changes. - **Occupational Therapy**: Participated but found it more stressful than beneficial. - **Speech Therapy**: Benefitted somewhat, yet it didn't meet my expectations, though I continue to use some of the techniques learned. - **Digital Notes**: Attempted to record important information on my phone, but due to many lists, vital entries often get lost. - **Memantine**: Prescribed by my neurologist as a last resort, based on its reported effectiveness in elderly patients for pain management; however, I did not observe any memory improvements while on this medication. - **Nutritional Supplements**: Regularly take Vitamin B complex, fish oil, flaxseed oil, and various other potential memory enhancers. Additionally, family history reveals that my brother, sister, and paternal grandmother have also faced memory-related issues throughout their lives. Unfortunately, several neurologists have declined to treat me, citing my youth and existing diagnoses of depression and ADD as indicators of instability rather than addressing my memory concerns. Moreover, I am anxious that my past struggles with chronic pain could have exacerbated my memory problems. Any insights or suggestions to tackle these ongoing challenges would be greatly appreciated.