Marcus

Biting my cheek whilst sleeping

Hi, for the last few months I've had spells of biting my tongue or cheek whilst sleeping. This usually happens just after I've fallen asleep. It mainly happens on the left side of my mouth. The pain is not severe, just enough to wake me and it is less of a problem at night than if I nap in the chair during the day. I'm not losing sleep because of it as far as I know. I wondered if I should be concerned? Could it be connected with snoring? Would it be something to see the dentist or my doctor about? I'm 62 years of age and in good health generally. Thanks.

30 November 2015

Tongue biting during sleep can be for the same reasons as during the day. It could happen by accident as during the day however it could also be for a mixture of other reasons which would potentially need to be investigated by your General Practitioner. To speculate what happens during your sleep time would be inaccurate and not something we can do at this stage but certainly worth discussing with your General Practitioner. The dentist is unlikely to be able to help you with this unless you have any outstanding dental issues such as; sharp teeth, cracked or chipped teeth or loose teeth which may be contributing to your problem.

Answered by the Health at Hand nurses

Got a health question?

We’re here to help you take care of your health - whenever you need us, wherever you are, whether you're an AXA PPP healthcare member or not.

Our Ask the Expert service allows you to ask our team of friendly and experienced nurses, midwives, counsellors and pharmacists about any health topic.

Ask a question

Conditions

I was told a long time ago that I have compacted vertebra

A compacted vertebrae could be the result of a crush fracture in the past...

Musculoskeletal

What’s the difference between a bulging, slipped and herniated disc?

Bulging, herniated and slipped are all...

Heart

Could you please tell me the cause of presyncope

Atrial fibrillation or AF is the most common abnormal heart rhythm...

Wellbeing

How many years do menopausal hot flushes go on for?

It’s difficult to give a definite answer to this question, as it’s so variable...

Conditions

Does viral labrynthitis cause permanent damage to the inner ear?

Viral labyrinthitis causes dizziness, vertigo, balance loss and sometimes hearing loss...

Skin

I developed a small pea sized abscess in my groin

These abscesses can be troublesome to cure of I am afraid.

Conditions

I feel dizzy after taking antibiotics – what is it?

Dizziness and a dry mouth are both possible side effects of many antibiotics, so this could be causing your symptoms.

Conditions

I have had hoarse voice thickness in my throat.

The symptoms you describe could fit with an underactive thyroid gland...

I have some dark patches on my forehead.

On my forehead I have some dark patches of skin...

Diet and nutrition

Why do I keep getting colds?

We are constantly being exposed to new viruses and other potential microbial infections...

Women’s health

I had a red mark appear on my right breast

The fact that the mark has become less obvious is reassuring, but I would still strongly advise you to get it checked out.

Conditions

Can you get private hearing aids free on NHS when you pass 60?

The NHS supplies a range of hearing aids, but won’t usually offer quite the same range of choice as private providers.

Content from HealthUnlocked

One of our AXA Health Tech & You Award winners, HealthUnlocked, brings together health and wellbeing articles from leading organisations to help you get the right information when you need it most.

Arthritis

Fatigue & Arthritis

Why Having Arthritis Can Cause Fatigue. Learn how your inflammatory disease and other factors may be causing your extreme tiredness

Cancer

Support at home for you and your family

Find out about the help and support available for you and your family when you have cancer.

Cancer

Getting travel insurance

See how you can get travel insurance when you have cancer.

Depression

Treatment

As with any illness, treatment should be tailored to a specific diagnosis. A treatment plan for a diagnosis of depression and an anxiety disorder should be designed to help a....

Diabetes

Managing your Diabetes - Diabetes UK

There are a range of tests which will need to be done to monitor your health and your diabetes. Some of these, such as your blood glucose levels, you will be able to do yourself.....

Pregnancy

Fertility self-assessment

This short test is aimed at women who are worried they may be having problems getting pregnant. It will assess their situation and let them know if they should seek further....

Arthritis

Pain and arthritis

Pain can be a major symptom of arthritis and related conditions, and it can affect your life in different ways. In this section we give you information and self-help tips on both....

Anxiety

Guide to dealing with anxiety

Explains anxiety and panic attacks, and how you can access treatment and support. Includes tips for helping yourself.

Anxiety

50 Strategies to Beat Anxiety

How to handle anxiety effectively.

Cancer

Managing your emotions

There are things you can do to help yourself to manage your emotions.

Cancer

What you can do

You can do practical things to help yourself cope with cancer. Understanding your illness and treatment can help. Many people join a support group.

Cancer

Coping with big events

Find out how to make the most of the festive period when you are coping with cancer and its treatment.

Cancer

Living well course

The Living Well course is designed to help you manage all the ways that cancer has affected your life.

Diabetes

Diabetes and emotional health

Find out how to overcome emotion and depression when living with diabetes

Diabetes

Emotional Impact of Diabetes on Family and Friends

People who have been diagnosed with diabetes may sometimes go through stages of grief and some of these stages may be shared by the family.

Pregnancy

Pregnancy week-by-week: a visual guide

Make some notes of things you want to discuss or you should remember to tell your doctor, such as a list of medicines you use. Take those notes with you on the day and then tick....

Arthritis

Working with arthritis - Arthritis Care

Find out how to manage your arthritis with your work and what support is available to help you do this.

Cancer

Getting benefits advice

Find out where to get financial support if you have cancer or you care for someone with cancer.

Cancer

About side effects

The side effects you might have vary from person to person and depend on the cancer drugs you are taking.

Diabetes

Healthy Travelling with Diabetes

Information on how to travel safely and healthily when you have diabetes

Marcus

Biting my cheek whilst sleeping

30 November 2015

Got a health question?

Related articles

I was told a long time ago that I have compacted vertebra

What’s the difference between a bulging, slipped and herniated disc?

Could you please tell me the cause of presyncope

How many years do menopausal hot flushes go on for?

Does viral labrynthitis cause permanent damage to the inner ear?

I developed a small pea sized abscess in my groin

I feel dizzy after taking antibiotics – what is it?

I have had hoarse voice thickness in my throat.

I have some dark patches on my forehead.

Why do I keep getting colds?

I had a red mark appear on my right breast

Can you get private hearing aids free on NHS when you pass 60?

Content from HealthUnlocked

Fatigue & Arthritis

Support at home for you and your family

Getting travel insurance

Treatment

Managing your Diabetes - Diabetes UK

Fertility self-assessment

Pain and arthritis

Guide to dealing with anxiety

50 Strategies to Beat Anxiety

Managing your emotions

What you can do

Coping with big events

Living well course

Diabetes and emotional health

Emotional Impact of Diabetes on Family and Friends

Pregnancy week-by-week: a visual guide

Working with arthritis - Arthritis Care

Getting benefits advice

About side effects

Healthy Travelling with Diabetes

You are now leaving our website