Okay I am SO HAPPY that I am not alone in this odd habit. I say habit, but really it is not that, it is an addiction in a way. I do not even realize that I am chewing most of the time. I did stop for about 6 months once, and I have no idea what triggered it to start up again. I have tried so hard to not chew/bite my cheeks, but like I mentioned before, I often have no idea that I am even doing it.
My mother has done it all my life, but hers seems much tamer. My sister did a little, and now to my dismay, my own daughter does it. I am 34 and been doing this since I was around 10. My dentist told me that he is concerned that I could cause cancer cells from the trauma that I am doing, AND that I have now got my jaw so out of line that my teeth are grinding away. You would THINK that this would be motivation enough, but sadly I still find myself doing it. Especially while I am driving is when I really notice it. I get SO stressed out when commuting to/from work in Houston traffic.
I have been on Aleve for days now because I have flared it up so badly my jaw aches when I talk, eat, & lord help me if I yawn. My ENT has taught me how to ‘pop’ my jaw back in because he said it is so bad. Aaaahhh. What do I do? Wear a rubber band and pop myself when I catch myself doing it?
I do agree that this is a form of OCD. I do have that regardless, to the point that it is ridiculous. I have managed to not allow it to go out of control, but it is work.
I have seen what my face looks like when I am chewing and it looks absolutley crazy. People must be looking at me in their rear-view mirrors and cracking up at what a hideous looking face I am making. It is an addiction! I have people that hit me & tell me ‘Stop’ and I will actually move away after a few minutes so I can “finish” what I was in the middle of, or I will go insane feeling the un-even cheek.
So are we crazy? Anyone know of any Dr.’s that are doing clinical trials? ha ha Has anyone else been told that they can cause cancer cells? I am worried about that one.