Bite Blockers

[hdultra2]

Hi all,

I just had my Damon's put in yesterday, and they put Bite Blockers on 2 of my back teeth on each side. I'm having a hard time trying to chew. Is this normal? How long do they usually keep these things in for? Any help is appreciated!

[Rachel]

I got my Damons put on two weeks ago and I also have bite blockers. It took me about a week to get used to chewing on them, and even now I still chew very awkwardly. My ortho didn't tell me how long they'll have to be on for, but they did make a note at my next appointment to have them rebuilt up since they wear down over time. I think you're intended to have them until your bite has adjusted enough to where you won't knock any brackets off. Do you have an overbite or an underbite? I have a pretty bad overbite so I imagine I'll probably have to have them until my top teeth would no longer hit the bottom brackets without the blockers in place. They're really such an annoyance. I'm going to ask at my next appointment how long they think I'll need them. Chew slowly and take small bites. I've noticed if I try to take too big of bites or chew too hard my front teeth will clash together and it's quite painful. I hope it gets easier for you to eat soon!

[hdultra2]

Hi Rachel!

I have a slight overbite. It definitely is an annoyance, more so than anything else. All else has been smooth though. The chewing is definitely awkward, but hopefully that subsides. It feels like I'm chewing on rubber cement all the time. I will ask my Orthodontist as well. Thank you for the reply, and good luck to you!

[Rachel]

Hopefully you won't need yours for too long since you've only got a slight overbite! Mine is pretty severe so I imagine a pretty long road with these things. I never thought of that analogy with rubber cement, but that's exactly how it feels! How are your braces feeling so far? I felt like I could hardly close my lips over my teeth for the first few days because my mouth felt so full of metal! lol I hope you're adjusting well so far. Thank you, and good luck to you as well!

[hdultra2]

Lol, I'm feeling the exact same way - like I can barely close my lips over my teeth. As of now, I feel a lot more pressure than I did yesterday when I got them put on. I even took some Advil, and it barely helped. Like I said, the only time it bothers me is when I eat. Even the softest foods bother me. I'm hoping for the week to blow by to see how I feel then.

If you need any words of encouragementt, let me know. We're in this struggle together. Lol.

[lightskinnnn38]

It took me a couple weeks to get used the bite blocks in my mouth, but my overbite is pretty bad so it took me almost 3 months before I can eat just about anything. I still have a hard time with thin noodles. It's coming up to the 5 month mark soon and I still have them in my mouth. I feel like I will have them in for a while.

[hdultra2]

I've been trying to chew up a storm to wear them down a bit. Today is the 3rd day and it is slightly better.

[lightskinnnn38]

@hdultra2 haha keep on chewing! The more you chew the more they will form itself in your mouth and you won't even notice they are in there. I feel like they are my "teeth" now

[Rachel]

Lol, I'm feeling the exact same way - like I can barely close my lips over my teeth. As of now, I feel a lot more pressure than I did yesterday when I got them put on. I even took some Advil, and it barely helped. Like I said, the only time it bothers me is when I eat. Even the softest foods bother me. I'm hoping for the week to blow by to see how I feel then.

If you need any words of encouragementt, let me know. We're in this struggle together. Lol.

That's how I felt for the first 5ish days with mine. My teeth were very sensitive to everything. I survived on protein shakes and yogurt for almost the first week lol. The sensitivity should decrease over the next few days for you (hopefully sooner than later!) Thanks, and same to you as well! How long is your treatment time expected to be?

@hdultra2 haha keep on chewing! The more you chew the more they will form itself in your mouth and you won't even notice they are in there. I feel like they are my "teeth" now

That's sort of how I've gotten with mine too. When I run my tongue over my teeth sometimes I'll forget and feel like it's a big piece of food though lol. But you're definitely right, chewing definitely helps shape them to where they're more comfortable/tolerable. I'm sorry you've had to have yours on for so long - I hope you'll be able to get them off soon!

[hdultra2]

My expected treatment time is 18 months, but hopefully sooner. I'm already seeing some nice movement. :-)

[Rachel]

My expected treatment time is 18 months, but hopefully sooner. I'm already seeing some nice movement. :-)

Wow, your treatment time is almost half my time! 30 months for me. I hope chewing has become easier for you! I'm getting pretty excited about the movement I'm already seeing as well.