Differential Diagnosis for "Bit Cheek"
- Single most likely diagnosis:
- Cheek bite (intraoral laceration or bite of the cheek): This is the most straightforward diagnosis given the presentation. It occurs when a person accidentally bites their cheek, often due to misjudging the distance between their teeth or experiencing a sudden, involuntary contraction of the muscles of mastication.
- Other Likely diagnoses:
- Oral mucosal laceration: Similar to a cheek bite but could be caused by other factors such as dental work, sharp objects, or trauma.
- Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder: Pain in the cheek area could be referred from TMJ issues, especially if there's a history of jaw clenching or grinding teeth.
- Dental issues (e.g., abscess, impacted tooth): Dental problems can cause pain that might be perceived as coming from the cheek area.
- Do Not Miss diagnoses:
- Oral cancer: Although less likely, any persistent lesion or unexplained pain in the mouth should prompt an investigation for oral cancer, especially in individuals with risk factors like tobacco use.
- Infection (e.g., cellulitis, abscess): Infections in the facial or cheek area can spread rapidly and become serious, so it's crucial to identify and treat them promptly.
- Neurological conditions (e.g., trigeminal neuralgia): Conditions affecting the nerves can cause severe, stabbing pain in the face that might be localized to the cheek area.
- Rare diagnoses:
- Sturge-Weber syndrome: A rare condition characterized by a port-wine stain on the face, which could potentially cause cheek pain among other symptoms.
- Cheek cysts or tumors: Benign or malignant growths in the cheek could cause pain or discomfort, though these are less common.
- Actinomycosis: A rare bacterial infection that can cause abscesses or lesions in the mouth and face, including the cheek area.