Dysfunctional Chewing

OK. I've been chewing food now for well over 34 years. How is it possible that I bit my cheek while trying to enjoy a hot turkey sandwich. True, I was excited about the meal. I may have been moving more quickly with the fork than usual, but not to the point of recklessness. And even though I may have been guilty of "shoveling", I chewed the food at my normal pace.

Do I really need to concentrate when I'm chewing? I thought chewing was something instinctual, like blinking or swallowing. I don't have to concentrate on blinking, unless I'm in captivity and sending covert morse code signals to my rescuers. I don't have to concentrate on swallowing, unless it's a Centrum because they're big and they smell (Advil, however, is freaking delicious.)

I guess there's never a good time to bite your cheek, but I'd much rather it happen on a Monday or Tuesday. Now, I'll have to deal with this mouth injury all weekend. Oh well, TGIF anyway. Be aware of your chewing this weekend. Don't make the same mistake I did.