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Why do I 'Chomp' (bite down on my teeth) all the time.

So, I now this may sound weird but I have this very strange habit of chomping down on my teeth all the time.

What I mean is that I bite down quickly and make a chomping sound with my teeth. It's as if I have food in my mouth but there's nothing there and I do it quicker than you would when regularly chewing. It's like when a dog tries to catch a fly and bites at the air, except it's not like I'm running around the room trying to bite something imaginary. It's very odd and it's a habit I've had since about 10-13. I'm now 26. I don't think it's a nervous habit because I might do it in any situation nervous or relaxing.

I don't do it at night supposedly, only during the day. Sometimes I know I'm doing it and sometimes I do it subconsciously. Sometimes I might only do it a few times during the day and sometimes I'll be going nuts with it, chomping down repeatedly.

It has never hindered me from doing anything but several times co-workers, teammates, etc. have asked what I'm doing and why do I do it. Then again, some people never notice it. My parents hate it and get annoyed when I do it along with one of my best friends I used to live with, as well as my boss. My other best friend who I also used to live with, barely notices it (when he does, it doesn't bother him) and my girlfriend never noticed it until I told her about it and once my best friend (who gets annoyed by it) started bringing it up with her. Even a very patient coworker has had to put head phones on while at work because the sound of my teeth chomping gets annoying. So it's a toss up with whether the people I'm around the most may notice it or not.

So like I said, it's very odd. It seems as if there's no rhyme or reason for me to do this, I just do. When I was younger I would sometimes count the amount of times I would do chomp down which made me think it was OCD but I don't do that anymore. I also would (and very very rarely still do) tap my hand on a desk at the same time I chomp in an effort to make the sound of the teeth clacking and finger drumming coincide. Don't know why.

I don't have an explanation for any of this other than that it's a habit. A habit that is extremely hard to get rid of. I used to have a job delivering coffee and while I was driving around all the time I would catch myself chomping and would really focus on not doing it again. I might do it again later on that day subconsciously but I would again catch myself and make an effort to stop. In this way, I was able to cut down on my chomping (even my parents noticed it) but it was easier to do with that particular job I had.

Anyone have any ideas as to why I would do this and how I can stop? Or if they've heard of this happening with anyone else? I would love to talk to someone else who also experiences this themselves or knows someone who does!

Thanks.
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Avatar universal
I am a 66 year old female and have the same problem. I have self-diagnosed it as a motor tic as I have been diagnosed with those in the past and know how they work. I do this and bite the inside of my mouth, but even that won’t let me stop doing it. I constantly have a sore that never gets time to heal. I don’t know whether to go to a PCP, dentist, neurologist or someone else. I was hoping to find the answer on the internet, but all I have found so far are others in the same situation. If I find the answer, I will post it here. If any of you find the answer, please do the same. I am at a loss as to what to do.  My solution so far is to get my teeth pulled on the side with the sore. That is such a drastic move.
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The other people on this thread left this forum years ago, so likely they won't respond. You didn't explain if you tried to stop doing it. Have you tried to stop?
My dentist said a person's teeth are not supposed to ever touch together, but of course it happens a lot accidentally. The effect is slowly wearing the teeth down. Young people 2 top front teeth are a bit longer than the others. As you age they wear down to the same size as the others, which you will notice if you look. The clicking together is damaging and wearing down your teeth, so excessive clicking all day long will cause excessive wear.

Biting your inside cheek and not letting the sore heal might cause a problem someday. I would try to stop doing this too.

The first step is to see your dentist, discuss the problem since he will have other patients who also bite their cheek often. He may recommend getting a mouth retainer for night time use to prevent damage.
For the day time problem that you listed, you need to find some way to stop this clicking of your teeth together because it may be totally preventable with conscious effort - fwiw.

Self diagnosis of motor tic is not necessarily correct so it may be just a habit that you have not tried to stop for all I know. Have you tried to stop clicking the teeth together?
Hey there. Anxiety is like that. We do things to self soothe without even being aware of it. Start your own thread and we'll discuss.  And yes, tics are very common with anxiety.
Avatar universal
Im 51 i started doing it about 12 yrs ago i cant stop and i only do it day time ....i went to a doctor who injected botox in my jaws some on top of my head it really help for 3 weeks ...botox shots to expensive total for all shots he put cost me 2thousand really helped me didnt do it at all but shots wear off and have to go again
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Avatar universal
i am a 61 year old female and I do the exact same thing. It started about 2 or 3 years ago and I do it pretty much all day long. I have also tapped my fingers in rhythm for as long as I can remember. My jaws are sore from doing it but I still can not quit. My doctor looked at me like I was nuts when I told him about it. He suggested a night guard but I do it while I'm awake. Surely someone has an answer. Please help!
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1 Comments
I am 61 and have been doing this off and on since I was a teenager. Recently I've been chomping so much that I am giving myself headaches! If I can relax and just stop thinking about it, I stop.  We can't wear mouth guards during the day obviously and I for one don't do it at night when I'm sleeping.  I agree with think00....meditation and self control is all that works! The weed isn't a bad idea really. I took a hydrocodone for knee pain since my knee surgery, and it stopped me from chomping my teeth together! I really think we just have to use our self control:-/. Or become junkies
Avatar universal
I'm 26 and have this exact issue. Weed, meditation and Immense self control seem to be the only things that help.
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Avatar universal
I also do it. But I noticed I only do it when I can tell I'm bout to have a panic attack
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Avatar universal
I do this as well, it does my head in :)

I used to do it when i was 8/9 years old to music i had heard but lately (Im now 40yrs old) my teeth chomp constantly sometimes to music in my head, my teeth chomp in the day, i find myself doing it and cant stop it hurts my jaw
I have ptsd so dont know if it is linked to stress
good luck :)
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