Cheek biting commonly occurs when teeth are in what position?

Cheek biting is most frequently observed in the end-to-end position of the teeth. This position occurs when the upper and lower teeth meet directly at the incisal edges, creating a situation where there is limited space for the cheeks during movements associated with chewing or speaking. When the teeth are positioned in this way, the soft tissues of the cheeks can get caught between the upper and lower teeth, leading to accidental biting.

In contrast, fully occluded teeth provide a more stable and aligned bite that reduces the risk of cheek injuries. An open bite situation, where there is a gap between the upper and lower teeth when the mouth is closed, does not allow for contact that would lead to cheek biting. Similarly, a crossbite, where one arch of teeth does not align properly with the other, may cause discomfort or misalignment issues but is not specifically linked to the habit of cheek biting in the same manner. Thus, the end-to-end position makes it easier for the teeth to impinge upon the tissues of the cheeks, making it the most likely scenario for cheek biting incidents.