How to Avoid Tongue Biting While Chewing Food

How to Avoid Tongue Biting While Chewing Food

Biting your tongue accidentally while eating can be painful and frustrating. Here are some strategies to help you avoid this common issue:

Chewing Mindfully

Pay Attention: Being present and focused during meals is a key aspect of mindful chewing. When you are fully attentive to the experience of eating, you are more likely to slow down, savor your food, and be aware of your body’s hunger and fullness cues. Mindfulness involves bringing your attention to the present moment with openness, curiosity and acceptance. When applied to eating, this means letting go of distractions like TV, phones or work, and directing your senses to the sight, smell, taste and texture of your food.

Avoid Rushing: Rushing through meals is a common habit that can undermine the benefits of mindful chewing. When you eat too fast, you are more likely to take large bites, chew insufficiently, and potentially injure your mouth by biting your tongue or the inside of your cheek. Slowing down and chewing each bite thoroughly has several advantages such as minimised risk of choking and accidently biting your tongue or cheek.

 

Visit Your Dentist Regularly to Address Any Dental Issues

Check Your Teeth: Misaligned teeth or dental issues can contribute to tongue biting. Visit a dentist to address any problems.

Dentures: If you wear dentures, ensure they fit properly. Ill-fitting dentures can lead to accidental tongue bites.

Preventive Care: Regular dental visits for preventative care help maintain oral health. Your dentist can identify any issues that might contribute to tongue biting.

Check for Malocclusion: Misalignment of the teeth or jaw (malocclusion) can cause frequent tongue biting. Consult a dentist to see if orthodontic treatment is needed to correct the jaw alignment.

TMJ Disorder: Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder can also lead to accidental bites. Treatment for TMJ may include orthodontic care or the use of custom dental mouthguards

Jaw Alignment Exercises: Several jaw alignment exercises such as Goldfish Execise, Mandibular Stabilisation Exercise, Chin Up Exercise etc. can help fix misaligned jaws which ultimately help avoiding accidental or frequent tongue biting. 

 
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Maintain Good Oral Hygiene

  • Rinse with Saltwater: After meals, rinse your mouth with a saltwater solution to keep the wound clean and reduce pain if you have bitten your tongue.
  • Soft Diet: Eating soft foods can minimize the risk of further injury if you have already bitten your tongue

Choose Softer Foods

  • Texture Matters: Opt for softer foods that are easier to chew. Hard or tough foods increase the risk of tongue injuries.
  • Cool or Warm Foods: Extremely hot or cold foods can catch you off guard. Properly cool or warm your meals before eating.

Avoid Distractions While Eating

  • Focus on Eating: Avoid multitasking while you eat. Distractions can lead to hasty chewing and accidental bites.
  • Put Down Devices: Don’t browse your phone or watch TV while eating. Give your meal your full attention.

Be Gentle with Chewing Gums

  • Choose Soft Gum: If you choose to chew gum, it’s best to opt for softer varieties. Aggressive or vigorous chewing can lead to injuries to the tongue, such as cuts, abrasions, or even bruising. Softer gum formulations are less likely to cause these types of issues.
  • Mindful Gum Chewing: When chewing gum, it’s important to be aware of your habits and avoid biting down too forcefully. Excessive or aggressive chewing can put unnecessary strain on the jaw muscles and teeth, potentially leading to discomfort or even more serious dental problems over time. Practicing mindful, gentle chewing can help you avoid these issues.

Use Protective Devices

  • Mouthguards: Wearing a soft mouthguard during activities that involve sudden movements or physical contact can help prevent tongue bites. This is particularly useful for athletes.
  • Oral Devices for Sleep: If you tend to bite your tongue while sleeping, consult a dentist about an oral device that can prevent the tongue from moving around the mouth during sleep

Manage Underlying Health Conditions

  • Seizure Management: For individuals with epilepsy, following a treatment plan and taking prescribed medications can help prevent tongue bites during seizures.
  • Neurological Issues: Conditions like autonomic neuropathy or long COVID can cause chewing and biting issues. Managing these underlying conditions with the help of a healthcare provider can reduce the risk of tongue bites

First Aid for a Bitten Tongue for Quick Relief

Cold Compress for Quick Relief from tongue biting
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Immediate Steps

Stay calm: Tongue injuries often look worse than they are due to the rich blood supply.

Rinse your mouth: Gently swish with cool water to clean the area and remove any debris.

Apply pressure:

    • Use a clean cloth or gauze
    • Press gently on the injured area for a few minutes
    • This helps stop bleeding

Pain Management

Cold compress:

    • Apply a cold compress or ice wrapped in a cloth to the outside of your cheek
    • Hold for 5-10 minutes at a time
    • This reduces swelling and numbs pain

Salt water rinse:

    • Mix 1/4 teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water
    • Gently swish in your mouth for 30 seconds, then spit out
    • Repeat a few times daily to promote healing

Remember, most tongue injuries heal quickly due to the mouth’s fast healing properties.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How to avoid tongue biting while eating?

There are a few things you can try to prevent biting your tongue while eating:

    • Slow down and focus on chewing: Take smaller bites and chew thoroughly before swallowing. This gives your tongue time to move out of the way.

    • Avoid distractions: Put down your phone and turn off the TV while eating. Pay attention to the taste and texture of your food.

    • Cut food into manageable pieces: Large chunks of food are more likely to catch your tongue.

    • Be mindful of temperature: Extremely hot or cold foods can surprise your mouth, making it harder to control your tongue.

Why do I keep biting the inside of my mouth when eating?

There are a couple of reasons why you might be biting your cheek or tongue while eating:

    • Eating too quickly: When you rush through your meal, your tongue and cheeks are more likely to get in the way of your teeth.

    • Stress or anxiety: Tense muscles in your face and jaw can make it harder to control your tongue.

    • Dental problems: Misaligned teeth or crowns can irritate your tongue and make it more susceptible to bites.

What is tongue chewing a symptom of?

Habitual tongue chewing can be a sign of stress, anxiety, or boredom. It can also be linked to underlying conditions like ADHD or nutritional deficiencies. If you’re concerned about tongue chewing, it’s best to consult with a doctor or dentist.

How do you protect your tongue from being bitten?

The best way to protect your tongue is to focus on mindful eating practices. Slow down, chew thoroughly, and avoid distractions. If you suspect a dental issue might be contributing to the biting, schedule an appointment with your dentist.

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