If you’re familiar with the field of psychology, you may have heard of the phrase “oral fixation” before, which describes a behavior where one has a need to hold something in their mouth. In adults, it can manifest in a need to always be chewing gum, eating or drinking and smoking cigarettes or using e-cigarettes.5 See what oral fixation is and what you can do to substitute potentially unhealthy behaviors such as cigarettes.
The meaning of oral fixation
Sigmund Freud originally proposed five stages of development in childhood.1 The first of these stages is known as the oral stage: during the first 18 months of a baby’s life, they will naturally be interested in sucking on a bottle, breastfeeding and biting or chewing on various objects or foods.1 These vital developmental behaviors help infants learn about their environments.1 Similarly, Freud theorized that an infant who is either insufficiently fed (such as being weaned early) or overfed (overly gratified) may develop personality traits that reveal themselves in adolescence.1 This may lead to further oral behaviors, especially under moments of stress.1
How oral fixation happens in adults
In this example of psychological development, a person fixated on the oral stage may engage in activities related to the mouth such as:1
- nail-biting
- constant eating or drinking
- thumb sucking
- talking too much
This dependency concept can also be linked to substance abuse, such as alcoholism.2 In addition, one of the most common forms of oral fixation is smoking cigarettes.4 If you’re looking to quit smoking, this psychological factor might show up to be an impediment. Fortunately, it can be overcome with healthier substitutions.
How to replace your oral fixation on smoking
By mixing up your daily routine, you can help to ease your oral fixation with cigarette substitutes:
- Changing your daily habits:3 Cigarettes are part of a smoker’s daily routine, and this can depend on the time of day. If you smoke in the morning, for example, you can replace this routine with making a fresh cup of coffee and a cookie or biscuit to match.3
- Switching to gum or hard candy: Having something in your mouth can feel like a comfort, and this is where chewing gum can come in handy.6 Chewing gum can last as long as the time it takes to smoke a cigarette, so you can ensure that you stay satisfied.
- Nicotine Replacement Therapy: This is the most widely used smoking cessation medications, with a large body of evidence that indicates its efficacy and safety.4 In these studies, participants have reported how the ritual of putting a nicotine replacement lozenge in one's mouth allowed them to stick to this new habit, especially as an alternate to patches.4
Oral fixation can manifest itself in many ways, but you can still go through the motion of putting something in your mouth without relying on the harm of smoking.3 One way to manage your nicotine needs is by using Nicorette Lozenges—a fast-acting aid for quitting smoking that can help you beat your cravings.
