Biting the inside of my cheek while I sleep
 

So, I apparently chew on the inside of my cheeks while I sleep. I know it's related to grinding my teeth, but I don't really grind, per se. I grit my teeth sometimes when I'm stressed. I do have a mouthguard but it doesn't really help because all I do when I wear it is grit my teeth with the mouthguard on, which still results in my face feeling like cement the next morning.

Anyways, one side of my cheek is all kinds of bit up, and despite the healing speed of the human mouth, I don't seem to be able to get this one spot of my mouth to heal up.

I know I should sleep on my back more often (apparently it helps a person not grit their teeth while sleeping), but invariably I always end up on my side while I sleep. Other than changing sleeping position, which is something I'm working on, what else can I try? I've been doing stress-reduction activities this week (being physically active, meditation), but the problem is that the spot is so swollen up now that I keep biting it when I sleep, even if I'm not gritting my teeth.

Help? Does anyone else have any experience with this? What worked for you?

I'd guess stress, but I'm not really sure. Is everything cool with work and family and friends?

Nothing is out of the ordinary as far as stress levels are concerned, but my body does not seem to handle stress well, thus the personal refocus on managing stress.

I used to do this, I dont know why, I dontknow how or why I stopped, but know I did. I wondered is sleeping on the other side would help? Is it like the side thats on the pillow - its gotta get in there somehow whilst you are sleeping.
Do you have sage in your garden? A few leaves steeped in hot water (make sage tea and use as a mouthwash) is an antibacterial and certainly should not do harm. Can you chew on something else? Obviously I was thinking of something like liquorice root.

What kind of mouthguard is it? I used to have a little bite device (just for my two top incisors) that would help keep me from grinding my teeth - it was custom made for me by my dentist as a graduation gift, actually. Very different from a traditional "mouthguard" and it worked really well.

It's an OTC mouthguard. I'm not in a financial position to get a custom guard. My insurance won't cover it.

I also have a custom made dental splint like this one...

http://www.londonsmilingblog.com/wp-...plint_4003.jpg

and it makes a great deal of difference.

I'm sorry to see that you don't get it on your insurance :(

Dental insurance pretty much sucks for everyone, I'm not surprised that it doesn't cover it.

Does the mouthguard make anything worse or just not improve on the clenching?

It doesn't improve on the clenching.

The good news is that this morning I woke up with it feeling better and less swollen. We were camping last night...maybe I need to sleep in my tent more often.

I had this same issue years ago. I got a mouthguard and for a long time (over a year?) I would wake up because I was grinding on the mouthguard. I haven't used the mouthguard for about 5 years at this point. Every once in a while I will wake up in the morning and discover that I've been chewing on the inside of my mouth. But then it'll stop of it's own accord. I think the mouthguard trained my body not to act in that way.

I would say just to continue using the mouthguard - even if you are chewing/grinding on it and maybe it will stop eventually?

Sorry can't help. I do it without thinking when I'm awake, a nervous reaction of somekind perhaps? I don't know, a dentist told me to stop because it can lead to mouth cancer. I've never ground my teeth though, awake or asleep.

I do the exact same thing.. I even tend to chew on the inside while I'm working and don't relize it.. Its something it is hard to stop.. Wish ya luck.. I haven't found a way to stop yet..