Lip biting is a bad habit of biting the lips, usually the lower one. Because the lips are a very important part of a beautiful smile, their damage can be cosmetically devastating. It can cause red, swollen and inflamed lips. They often become dry and sore and in extreme cases, there is scaring. In a vicious cycle, the discomfort can cause more biting which causes more soreness and more biting. This cycle can sometimes be broken by reducing the dryness with moisturizing creams and the use of prescription topical steroid creams to reduce the inflamation.

          Lip biting has a number of different causes. It can come from a dental malocclusion, TMJ, medication side effects and many underlying medical conditions. Upper teeth naturally project out over the lower teeth and this drapes the lips away from where teeth bite. When a patient has a bad bite, this bad arrangement of teeth may not protect the lips. Many TMJ patients bite their lips in an unknowing attempt to prevent their teeth from touching and irritating the jaw joints.

          Depending on the cause of the lip biting, patients have several treatment options . Wearing a soft protective guard or an orthodontic lip bumper to hold tissues away from the teeth prevents lip damage. Orthodontic treatment can correct incorrect tooth positioning and reduce or eliminate the problem. Nutritional supplementation, as we do with TMJ patients, can sometimes help.

         The dentists at the Atlanta Dental Group PC are dedicated to their patients' good health and well being. You are welcome to join our family of patients. If you are struggling with a lip biting habit and would like an appointment with Atlanta Family Dentist, Dr. Padolsky, call 404-874-7428.