Jump to content
  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.




  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):



    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):


  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

Biting Inside Of My Cheeks


mamaloca2

Recommended Posts

mamaloca2 Apprentice

Does anyone kno wif there is a connection between Celiac disease and habitual biting of the inside of the mouth. I have done it since I was a kid and now my son who is only four does it. Does anyone else have this problem?


Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):



Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):



chrissy Collaborator

sounds more like an obsessive-complulsive behavior-----and OCD can run in families.

jennyj Collaborator

Wow. I have done this as long as I can remember. My dad used to say "Jenny stop it," all the time. I tend to do it when I am very nrevous or watching TV. I don't know if there is a connection but you are not alone.

Kellygirl Rookie
Wow. I have done this as long as I can remember. My dad used to say "Jenny stop it," all the time. I tend to do it when I am very nrevous or watching TV. I don't know if there is a connection but you are not alone.

Yep I am obsessive complusive and I do it all the time, even while sleeping. I am celiac too, but I never really questioned if they go together or not!

Kelly

mamaloca2 Apprentice
sounds more like an obsessive-complulsive behavior-----and OCD can run in families.

I don't have any other traits that are OCD. And I only really bite them when a am stressed. I just noticed when I got glutened that I did it much more, and thought there could be a connection.

mamaloca2 Apprentice
Wow. I have done this as long as I can remember. My dad used to say "Jenny stop it," all the time. I tend to do it when I am very nrevous or watching TV. I don't know if there is a connection but you are not alone.

Us too! Even if it's not related to celiac, seems like there's got to be something more to it. Thanks for your reply!

RiceGuy Collaborator

I used to have similar sorts of stuff happen, but by accident. Usually it was my lip that got chomped :angry: Thankfully, this has subsided/disappeared, and I believe the key was a sublingual methylcobalamin (vitamin B12) supplement. Either that or it just took time, but I notice that my teeth are straighter too, and no longer have the aching that would come and go.

Still a bit of teeth clenching, but not as bad as it used to be.


Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):



Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):



ravenwoodglass Mentor

I actually trained myself to do this. On gluten or under great stress I am a teeth grinder. I have broken them in my sleep, those good old celiac teeth, and I do it to keep from grinding. Perhaps a mouth guard might help you and your son, your dentist can give you one with the best fit. Another thing that helps, at least for me, is a hot compress on my cheek before bed. When I get glutened it helps my muscles to relax and I don't do as much grinding and biting. Plus it feels very soothing.

cmom Contributor

I used to accidentally bite the inside of my mouth and once I did it, it seemed like I did it several times, each time very painful. Hadn't thought much about it until reading these posts. That's a good thing cause that means it "ain't " happenin' anymore!!!!!!

zakismom Newbie

I used to do this all the time! I also used to bite my lip until it turned into a bump. I don't do it as much but I do know that if I get glutened I get a mouth sore.

Rusla Enthusiast

I do this all the time, although it could be not just an ocd but in some cases a tourettes thing.

Stargirl* Newbie

Hi.

I am a long time lurker, first time poster. ;)

My daughter bites the inside of her cheeks and lips. I have put it down to the mouth ulcers she used to have until the gluten intolerance diagnosis.

  • 4 weeks later...
mwahlman Newbie

You may be refering to TMJ. I was recently diagnosed with this by my dentist, around the same time as my Celiac Diagnosis.

I am unsure if the two are directly related, or if I just have been lucky finding medical professionals who arent qwacks lately.

"TemporoMandibular Joint and muscle disorders" The following article goes over the specifics:

Open Original Shared Link

Does anyone kno wif there is a connection between Celiac disease and habitual biting of the inside of the mouth. I have done it since I was a kid and now my son who is only four does it. Does anyone else have this problem?
lob6796 Contributor
Does anyone kno wif there is a connection between Celiac disease and habitual biting of the inside of the mouth. I have done it since I was a kid and now my son who is only four does it. Does anyone else have this problem?

Interesting, I would have never connected the two. I do it alot (ugh the scars!), and my mom, who never knew she did it, went to a special dentist the other day and the lady goes "wow, you really bite your mouth alot, huh?" The dentist said she is probably doing it in her sleep without realizing it. I have Celiac, and she is suspected of having it.

Guhlia Rising Star

I am mildly OCD and I compulsively scratch my lips with my teeth. I'm assuming this is about the same as what you guys are talking about. Luckily, most of my OCD symptoms disappeared when I went gluten free. Unfortunately, this one hasn't gone away completely. It has gotten better though since going gluten free. I think there's definitely a connection with OCD and gluten.

Ursa Major Collaborator

I have Tourette's syndrome and Asperger Syndrome, and I have always done that, too. It isn't possible to determine if in my case it is a tic, OCD (which I have mildly, but not enough for a separate diagnosis, as EVERYBODY with TS and AS has some compulsive behaviours) or a stim (self-stimulating behaviour, typical for people on the autistic spectrum).

But I do know that I don't do things like that as much as I used to when still eating gluten, and my tics have decreased as well.

JamiD Apprentice

*reluctantly raises hand*

Gawd, I'm doing it right now.

I've habitually chewed/bit my inside cheeks and lips since I was a teen. I do it more when I'm not physically busy.

Never been diagnosed w/ OCD and I would say that if I have it, it is mild.

  • 3 weeks later...
glutenfreek Newbie

Add one more person with celiac and bites their tongue...literally. I have wondered about OCD, never been diagnosed, but that doesn't mean much. Like others have mentioned I remember doing this as a child, my grandmother did it and so does my father. I have tried to stop numerous times, hence why I am on this site right now, seeing if anybody has ever been successful in kicking this nasty habit. I used to grind my teeth too and my dentist made me a mouth guard, (Wal Mart sells a mouth guard that you mold to your teeth at home, fairly easy to do and only $20). This stopped my grinding but I am having trouble with biting my tongue still. It is sooooo irritating, I do it in my sleep and sub consciously. I don't understand why I do this, I absolutely hate it, my tongue is sore all the time and looks repulsive I want to stop! Any suggestions or advice would be appreciated.

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Celiac.com:
    Join eNewsletter
    Donate

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):
    Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):





    Celiac.com Sponsors (A17-M):




  • Recent Activity

    1. - Scott Adams replied to xxnonamexx's topic in Gluten-Free Foods, Products, Shopping & Medications
      1

      FDA looking for input on Celiac Gluten sensitivity labeling PLEASE READ and submit your suggestions

    2. - Scott Adams replied to lizzie42's topic in Post Diagnosis, Recovery & Treatment of Celiac Disease
      1

      Low iron and vitamin d

    3. - Scott Adams replied to xxnonamexx's topic in Gluten-Free Foods, Products, Shopping & Medications
      1

      Healthy Gluten Free Foods low sugar that you found?

    4. - Scott Adams replied to lizzie42's topic in Traveling with Celiac Disease
      1

      Trip to Anaheim/Disney

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):
  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      133,242
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748

    Maya Baum
    Newest Member
    Maya Baum
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):
  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.6k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):
  • Who's Online (See full list)

  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • Scott Adams
      Thank you for sharing this — it’s really important. The FDA is actively seeking public input on improving gluten and ingredient labeling, which could directly impact how people with celiac disease and gluten sensitivity shop and stay safe. Clearer labeling would help reduce accidental gluten exposure and make it easier to identify hidden sources of gluten in foods. I encourage everyone here who is affected by celiac or gluten sensitivity to read the announcement and submit their own suggestions — real lived experience matters and can influence policy changes that benefit the whole community.
    • Scott Adams
      A low tTG is great news, but it doesn’t always mean the small intestine has fully healed yet—iron and vitamin D absorption can lag behind for months or even years, especially in young children. Many kids need supplements for a period of time while the gut repairs itself, and that doesn’t necessarily mean it will be lifelong. Morning stomach pain is also commonly reported in celiac kids and can be related to slow healing, reflux, motility, or even low iron itself. It sounds like the supplements are clearly helping, which is reassuring, and ongoing monitoring with her doctor can help determine when (or if) doses can be reduced as absorption improves. The most common nutrient deficiencies associated with celiac disease that may lead to testing for the condition include iron, vitamin D, folate (vitamin B9), vitamin B12, calcium, zinc, and magnesium.  Unfortunately many doctors, including my own doctor at the time, don't do extensive follow up testing for a broad range of nutrient deficiencies, nor recommend that those just diagnosed with celiac disease take a broad spectrum vitamin/mineral supplement, which would greatly benefit most, if not all, newly diagnosed celiacs. This article has more info:    
    • Scott Adams
      A lot of gluten-free packaged foods do rely on extra sugar, starches, or sodium to replace texture and flavor, so focusing on simpler options makes sense. Many people do better with naturally gluten-free proteins like eggs, plain yogurt, nuts, seeds, hummus, beans, and minimally processed protein bars with lower added sugar and higher fiber. Pairing those with whole foods can help you feel more “normal” without triggering symptoms. Subscription boxes can be hit or miss, so checking labels carefully and using them as an occasional supplement—rather than a staple—often works best.
    • Scott Adams
      This article is a few of years old, but my still be helpful.  
    • knitty kitty
      Welcome to the forum, @McKinleyWY, For a genetic test, you don't have to eat gluten, but this will only show if you have the genes necessary for the development of Celiac disease.  It will not show if you have active Celiac disease.   Eating gluten stimulates the production of antibodies against gluten which mistakenly attack our own bodies.  The antibodies are produced in the small intestines.  Three grams of gluten are enough to make you feel sick and ramp up anti-gluten antibody production and inflammation for two years afterwards.  However, TEN grams of gluten or more per day for two weeks is required to stimulate anti-gluten antibodies' production enough so that the anti-gluten antibodies move out of the intestines and into the bloodstream where they can be measured in blood tests.  This level of anti-gluten antibodies also causes measurable damage to the lining of the intestines as seen on biopsy samples taken during an endoscopy (the "gold standard" of Celiac diagnosis).   Since you have been experimenting with whole wheat bread in the past year or so, possibly getting cross contaminated in a mixed household, and your immune system is still so sensitized to gluten consumption, you may want to go ahead with the gluten challenge.   It can take two years absolutely gluten free for the immune system to quit reacting to gluten exposure.   Avoiding gluten most if the time, but then experimenting with whole wheat bread is a great way to keep your body in a state of inflammation and illness.  A diagnosis would help you stop playing Russian roulette with your and your children's health.      
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

NOTICE: This site places This site places cookies on your device (Cookie settings). on your device. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy.