# Oral Fixation help, please! **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [January 5, 2003, 6:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oral-fixation-help-please/146735 "2003-01-05T06:09:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2003, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oral-fixation-help-please/146735/21 "2003-01-06T18:54:59Z")
Dear Abby, Should I tell anyone about my Ballpoint penis? Mr. Write ---
**Author:** ![jellen92](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/6bbea6/32.png) [@jellen92](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jellen92)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2003, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oral-fixation-help-please/146735/22 "2003-01-06T18:58:23Z")
I have severe oral fixation. I sucked my thumb until I was 18… at which point I started smoking and chewing my lip and inner cheeks incessantly (to the point where my teeth are filed down and I’ve had 2 cracked molars). I chew about 15 pieces of gum a day too. Oddly enough, I don’t like eating to cure it or chewing on pencils, just my poor, raw cheeks. My doctor once prescribed me Valium for it, which of course, is only a temporary solution. Someone once told me to “suck on a button” which is slightly odd, especially if I got caught doing it. I’ve never really lokked into it before, I’ve just lived with it. And yes, it really is something to do with feeling safe and secure… what is also weird is my fascination with other peoples mouths too. I stare at them all the time… ---
**Author:** ![mandielise](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/58956e/32.png) [@mandielise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mandielise)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2003, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oral-fixation-help-please/146735/23 "2003-01-06T19:37:29Z")
I was never big into sucking my thumb once I got to kindergarten… but whenever I get the chance I find myself sucking on my boyfriend’s fingers. It’s not even a sexual thing, I just suck on them when I’m bored and he’s around. How odd am I? ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2003, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oral-fixation-help-please/146735/24 "2003-01-06T19:50:22Z")
How about a pacifier? Granted, it takes you down a whole new lane of kink, but what the hey. This reminds me of a story from _The Complete Practical Joker,_ where a guy tied a piece of string around his ear and stuck the other end in his mouth. Wore it for months before anybody asked him why he did it. You could chew on the string and not swallow it. Have you considered taking up the clarinet? Or kickboxing? ---
**Author:** ![bup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/6bbea6/32.png) [@bup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bup)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2003, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oral-fixation-help-please/146735/25 "2003-01-06T19:56:33Z")
They should make a non-functional pen that doesn’t get mangled when chewed. ---
**Author:** ![DMark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@DMark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DMark)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2003, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oral-fixation-help-please/146735/26 "2003-01-07T01:05:21Z")
Ice cubes. Non-fattening and you can chew them, suck on them or just swallow them with no problem. Plus, drinking lots of water does help to lose weight. Also, carrying around a water bottle helps…take lots of little sips during the course of the day. ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2003, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oral-fixation-help-please/146735/27 "2003-01-07T01:46:02Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Mephisto \* > Have you tried cigarettes? > [@](#): > > Oh, hi! I’m Troy McClure. You might remember me from such self-help videos as “Smoke Yourself Thin” and “Get Confident, Stupid.” ---
**Author:** ![AntaresJB](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c2a13f/32.png) [@AntaresJB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AntaresJB)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2003, 4:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oral-fixation-help-please/146735/28 "2003-01-07T04:27:26Z")
All the mentions of chewing on the insides of your cheeks reminds me that I do that too. My sister used to yell at me because we shared a room and at night I’d lay there and chew on the insides of my lips and cheeks and she could hear it and it freaked her out. **mandielise** – I tried nail polish to keep me from biting my nails as well, but I always just end up scraping off the polish with my teeth and spitting it out, which not only tastes bad, but then I get little nail polish flakes stuck to my teeth and it looks really bad. Your last plan sounds like a wonderful idea, at least it would be if I had a boyfriend, or some random guy to kiss, at least. Any takers? Anyone? 😉 **cuauhtemoc** – I’ve got a fanclub? Woohoo! Wait a second… you just like me because you think I’m a blowjob-crazed nympho! … Meh, oh well, whatever gets me a fanclub! 😃 **jellen92** – Sucking on a button actually sounds like a good idea! No calories, only danger would be from swallowing it. Which I might do, who knows. I swallowed a quarter when I was little. I may have to try that. (sucking buttons, not swallowing quarters) **DMark** – The problem with drinking lots of water is that I seem to have a very small bladder. I already go to the bathroom every 2 or 3 hours as it is (TMI?)… but that is a good idea. Some of these really are good suggestions. And it’s so nice to see so many other people out there who have the same problem! I’m not a freak, Yay! ---
**Author:** ![ReBusEniGma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/d9b06d/32.png) [@ReBusEniGma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ReBusEniGma)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2003, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oral-fixation-help-please/146735/29 "2003-01-07T18:13:47Z")
Actually, **DMark** is bang on: IMHO, albeit a small bladder, water is still the answer. Water in a bottle is the kitty’s whiskers. 🙂 **Firstly** , it would help with the fixation; whenever you feel the urge, stick the bottle in your mouth. **2)** It helps to reduce unwanted weight; We all need about half and ounce of water/lb. of body weight. It is suggested that one should drink an extra 8 ounces /25 lbs of excess weight. **3)** From one musician to another, I can tell you that your vocal chords will thank you; when your body is well hydrated, so are your chords, you’ll notice it in your vocal smoothness, range ability and waaay less phlegm. (Your vocal teacher has probably told you this part?) **Finally** , it can actually help your bladder regulate itself better. These are only some of the benefits of which there are myriad. It only makes sense, seeing 2/3rd’s of our bodyweight is water. There are definitely other cites from more reputable sources, but [\*\*this \*\*](http://members.aol.com/SaveMoDoe2/importance.htm) one is a good amalgamation. ---
**Author:** ![Trob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Trob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trob)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2003, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oral-fixation-help-please/146735/30 "2003-01-07T18:58:08Z")
Try a mouth guard. Like football players wear. ---
**Author:** ![World\_Eater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f04885/32.png) [@World\_Eater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/World_Eater)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2003, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oral-fixation-help-please/146735/31 "2003-01-07T19:09:59Z")
I have a pierced tongue, I think that might help. I’m currently quitting smoking and I’ve found sunflower seeds invaluable. ---
**Author:** ![MadScientistMatt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/bc8723/32.png) [@MadScientistMatt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MadScientistMatt)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2003, 3:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oral-fixation-help-please/146735/32 "2003-01-08T03:19:54Z")
Sprinkle Tabasco on anything you think you might be tempted to pop into your mouth. Or something wilder if you’ve got a high tolerance for pepper. Or carry around a bag of baby carrots. Unfortunately, I can’t think of any more serious suggestions. ---
**Author:** ![Themis00](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/13edae/32.png) [@Themis00](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Themis00)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2003, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oral-fixation-help-please/146735/33 "2003-01-08T03:25:57Z")
Try zoloft. I heard it can do wonders for obsessions, compulsions, and fixtations. ---
**Author:** ![Kalhoun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3bc359/32.png) [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2003, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oral-fixation-help-please/146735/34 "2003-01-08T15:32:35Z")
Thimis, I was going to mention OCD therapy. See a doctor. I’m sure there’s a standard treatment for this. ---
**Author:** ![Witch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/258eb7/32.png) [@Witch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Witch)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2003, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oral-fixation-help-please/146735/35 "2003-01-08T17:11:32Z")
Hell, I _still_ suck my thumb and I’m 38 next week. ---
**Author:** ![Alto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c67d28/32.png) [@Alto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alto)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2003, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oral-fixation-help-please/146735/36 "2003-01-08T19:51:19Z")
I chewed my tongue, which was ugly and embarrassing. I think ice cubes is a wonderful suggestion, except if you’re someplace where you don’t want to be making slurping noises. To break a physical habit which is deeply ingrained, I’ve found this method useful. Choose one hour a day when you absolutely will not let yourself do it. Be as vigilant as you need be–sit on your hands or whatever it takes. After you’re used to this, try being less vigilant–read or watch TV–but still make sure that for this one hour you don’t do whatever-it-is. Then gradually increase the time period. This works pretty well for purely physical habits, not so well for ones with psychological causes. ---
**Author:** ![EasyPhil](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e47c2d/32.png) [@EasyPhil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EasyPhil)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2003, 6:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oral-fixation-help-please/146735/37 "2003-01-27T06:04:33Z")
Try some Licorice chew sticks, this isn’t candy, they come from a licorice bush. ---
**Author:** ![Abe\_Babe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3ab097/32.png) [@Abe\_Babe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Abe_Babe)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2003, 7:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oral-fixation-help-please/146735/38 "2003-01-27T07:16:01Z")
I had a good friend on college who had an oral fixatiion. As a kid, he got caught shoplifting. . . a toothbrush. If you feel the oral craving, try taking the toothbrush out of your pocket and making it earn its keep. A minute brushing worked for him pretty well. That is, if **cuauhtemoc** doesn’t satisfy you. ---
**Author:** ![DaycareWindy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c77e96/32.png) [@DaycareWindy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DaycareWindy)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2015, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oral-fixation-help-please/146735/39 "2015-10-15T15:42:03Z")
“I have severe oral fixation. I sucked my thumb until I was 18”…have you have tried ABDL? it isn’t about sex most of the time, it’s mainly about feeling safe and being yourself. Maybe you should sleeping with a pacifier? They make adult ones. Nothing wrong with it in my opinion. It help me. ---
**Author:** ![Asimovian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asimovian/32/172_2.png) [@Asimovian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asimovian)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2015, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oral-fixation-help-please/146735/40 "2015-10-15T16:22:56Z")
Whatever the poster may have tried, it was 12 years ago, and probably doesn’t need to be re-raised now. Thread closed. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oral-fixation-help-please/146735.md?page=1)