PEOPLE bite their lips all the time – for some it's a habit that isn't an issue, but for others it could indicate underlying problems.
Mouth experts have warned of a number of conditions you might be suffering with and not know about.
It's important to ensure you're in tip top shape, and if you've noticed you are biting you lip more than the odd time, think about if you may have these conditions.
Experts at Colgate have outlined why you might be biting your lip often, and what it could mean.
There are around five main issues that could be behind the new habit…
Arthritis
This is a common cause of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders, which often sees lip biting as a symptom.
It can range from mild to severe, and get worse over time, caused by osteoarthirits, rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis.
Depending on the kind of arthritis your jaw could be affected by shape change, inflammation and opening problems.
If, as well as lip biting, you are noticing a dull ache when you move your jaw, restricted moment or locking and headaches or tooth pain, you could have arthritis in your jaw.
Grinding teeth
Grinding your teeth can also lead to TMJ, which can be indicated by the biting of the lip.
Teeth grinding can be caused by a range of issues, and is often related to stress.
It doesn't always cause symptoms and is often done at night while your sleep or unconsciously when you clench your teeth.
But if you notice you are biting your lip more and suffering with facial pain and headaches you could be grinding your teeth without realising.
Malocclusion/misaligned jaw
Having a jaw that isn't properly aligned can cause you to bite your lip.
It happens when your upper and lower jaws aren't the same size or you have extra, missing or abnormally shaped teeth.
It's usually not a huge problem, but if it starts to cause pain or makes biting and chewing difficult, that is when you need to get some treatment.
If you have treatment and then continue to bite your lip, that can hinder the correction process.
Anxiety or depression
Psychological conditions can also cause lip biting.
Body focused repetitive behaviours can be part of anxiety or depression, and this can including biting your lips.
People with autism can often carry out what is dubbed "self-harm behaviours", such as biting their lips.
When to get help?
The experts at Colgate said: "Rest assured that occasional lip-biting likely isn't a problem. However, chronic biting of the lips can be a distressing habit and can irritate the skin.
"If you're concerned about how often you or your child are biting your lips, talk to your dental professional or healthcare provider who helps you determine its severity, its causes, and the best form of treatment.
"If your dental professional suspects a TMJ disorder is to blame, they may suggest home remedies such as massaging the jaw muscles or limiting your diet to soft foods.
"If necessary, they may prescribe medications to help ease pain and inflammation in the jaw joint.
"Your dental professional may even recommend a nightguard or splint, which is a clear plastic device that fits over your teeth to help your jaw muscles relax.
"In some cases, you may need orthodontic treatment to correct your malocclusion and its associated issues. In rare cases, a patient may need surgery to reshape their jaw.
"Dentists don't treat lip biting's psychological and developmental causes, so they may recommend seeing your family doctor or an appropriate specialist."
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