Cheek Biting

John Bn said:

Has anyone else had this issue / got a solution?

Yes me. It happens when my mouth is dry

I chew gum to keep my mouth moist and sip a warm drink with my food if needed. I also wear a mouth guard at night which stops me sucking my cheeks in to keep my mouth closed. 

Hi Dani,

Thanks for the response. I've not noticed if it happens more when I have a dry mouth, but I will try Salivix pastilles to see if it prolongs having a moist mouth (I currently use the Salivix spray, but it doesn't have effect for very long). Here's hoping!

John

Hi yes it’s not uncommon. It happens to me especially with wisdom tooth at back of readily radiated side. I also chew sugar free gum during day and use an xyimelts ( half if one at night ) like wise I’m not having the tooth extracted as it’s perfectly heathy  and I’ve had dental   X ray full 360 degree one  a few years  ago the root of it is fine. I regularly do salt wash rinses ti make sure it stays ok. 
I still have a glass of water in bedroom and if need be have a sip without really waking. it’s an art I’ve perfected over the years. 
Bio xtra  mouthwash on prescription from gp. If they refuse tell then we are entities to ur as we’ve an exemption with having radiotherapy. They need to check the prescription coding. We all had an issue in May getting it prescribed. So we know what to say to Gp.  

hazel x

I'm forever biting various bits of my mouth.  Cheeks, lips and tongue.  Normally when I'm chewing and not paying attention. Sometimes it feels like they have swelled up before I bite them which seems a reasonable excuse, but often not. 

Like the others I occasionally bite various bits in the oral cavity, usually brings on a bout of swearing.

Hi John.   I have regularly bitten my cheeks since my treatment.  It did get very bad at one point.  Mouth guard at night has really helped.  This was recommended to me to stop teeth grinding at night.  
Another thing was I did retain fluid in my cheeks. Especially the more heavily irradiated side.  This was lymphoedema.  It has more or less resolved now and cheek biting nearly a thing of the past.  
best wishes. Liz x

hi Lizzie ,like you i got lymphoedemia it was terrible my face and chin and neck were badly swollen ive still got some on my neck ,but i only finished all of my treatment on the 12th Sep.,can i ask was your tongue swollen,im really dying to eat proper food but just cannot so i carry on with peg feeding while smelling the wonderful meals my partner has :(  i know i sound moany but it would be nice for a ray of sunshine 

Hi,

Thanks to you all who have responded to my post. I thought I was alone with this problem. (My consultant's comment was "just blow your cheeks outwards when you eat". Helpful or what ?)

I have now tried a mouthguard and it helps a little but not a great deal (probably about 10% biting reduction). I am fortunate that I do not have the problem at night : just when eating and/or talking (my partner Val said "well just stop doing both". Thanks !). Xylimelt tablets certainly help with keeping the mouth moist, so for now it's them, plenty of drink (!) and being more aware/careful of my jaws.

Best wishes,

John