Tongue-Chewing; Causes, Cures, and Patient Info

Many people engage in a habit of constantly chewing on their tongues. Here’s what to look for and how to inquire about mouthguards.

Tongue chewing is a common behavior in the population, according to experts. Clinical observations may show different levels of keratinization, pigmentation, and damage to the tissue. Hyperkeratosis is a condition in which friction causes the tissue to get thicker. Morsicatio linguarum is used for damage to the tongue, and morsicatio buccarum is used for damage to the mucosa inside the cheeks. Morsicatio labiorum is used when the patient bites, chews, or presses on the inner lip. The tissue may look like it has been rubbed, cut, or covered with keratin. Dental practitioners can assist individuals to stop the habit and heal the tissue. It's crucial to discover if the patient does the behavior when sleeping or throughout the day. Some dentists and hygienists recommend patients wear a mouthguard day and night to help them stop. It shields the tissues from continual damage.

 

Here are some ideas for dentists to help patients with damaged oral tissue.

Diagnosis and Treatment

When a patient's symptoms show up clinically, we are typically aware of stress-related causes. Chronic discomfort usually indicates underlying issues such as severe stress or anxiety disorders. Finding the problem's cause may assist a person's long-term health. Chronic inflammation of the tissue may lead to more severe conditions including dysplasia and even at times, cancer.

Ways to address this

• Firstly, the team at Tooth Heaven would like ask you to demonstrate how it occurs. We will then determine whether which parts of the tongue is traumatised from the action(S). 
• The Tooth Heaven team would then determine whether the patient chews the region during the night, during the day, or at other times. Nightguards may be something we recommend. 
• Sometimes determining how long the patient has observed the habit is also helpful. At Tooth Heaven, we would take progress photos to determine this and we would be able to compare to see if this has progressed or not. Generally, when it comes to breaking bad habits, it might take a lot of time and effort.
• Most persons with stress-related disorders don't realize they're stressed and say they're no more anxious than others. Some stress-reduction techniques are better for some people than others. The positive part is that stress management and coping abilities can be learnt.
• Other techniques that might help is by putting a ribbon, rubber band, or string around the wrist is to change behavior and remind the person to watch what they are doing.
• Sticking stickers around the home and at work to encourage individuals to keep track of their progress.
• Lastly, what seems to help with some patients is by using mental imagery.  Picturing the word "No" ringed with an X through it may aid the person in getting rid of the habit by getting them to think about it.

For more advice, ask our friendly Tooth Heaven team to give you more information!

 

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References

 

L., Delong, and Bukhart N. “Tongue Chewing: Causes, Treatments, and Information for Patients.” Tongue-Chewing; Causes, Cures, and Patient Info, 2013, Modified from Delong L. & Burkhart N. “General and Oral Pathology for the Dental Hygienist.” 2nd ed. Lippincott, Williams and Wilkins, Baltimore, 2013.