Bite blocks, also referred to as occlusal build-ups or turbo bites, are small appliances bonded to certain teeth during orthodontic treatment. Their purpose is to create space between the upper and lower dental arches. This separation prevents the patient from fully biting down, which is necessary to protect the brackets on the opposing teeth from damage, particularly in cases of a deep bite or crossbite. By intentionally altering the natural resting position of the jaw, bite blocks help guide the teeth and jaw into the correct alignment.
The First Few Days of Adjustment
The initial phase after the installation of bite blocks involves a period of adaptation for the jaw muscles and tongue. You will immediately notice a change in how your teeth meet, often feeling like your jaw is being propped open by a small object. This altered bite position can lead to temporary soreness in the jaw and surrounding muscles as they adjust to the new mechanics of movement.
Speech may also be affected initially, resulting in a temporary lisp or difficulty forming certain sounds as the tongue learns to navigate the new appliance. This is a common and temporary effect, with most people finding their speech returns to normal within a few days to a week. For managing any initial discomfort, over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen or ibuprofen can be used as directed. Applying a cold compress or rinsing with warm salt water can also help soothe soreness.
Practical Techniques for Chewing
Successfully eating with bite blocks requires conscious modification of your natural chewing cycle. Since the blocks prevent the full, natural closure of the mouth, you must abandon the instinctive biting action that involves the front teeth. The teeth will not achieve the typical full intercuspation.
Instead of your usual wide jaw movement, your chewing stroke must become more vertical, resembling a “chopping” motion rather than a lateral “grinding” one. The goal is to minimize side-to-side force, which could potentially dislodge the blocks or cause unnecessary wear. You must place food directly onto the grinding surfaces of the back molars, or onto the bite blocks themselves if they are located on the posterior teeth.
Take very small, manageable pieces of food and chew slowly and deliberately to break them down. This focused, vertical chewing pattern requires your jaw muscles to work in a new way, which can lead to fatigue during meals. If your jaw begins to feel tired, pause your meal to allow the muscles a brief rest before continuing to eat.
Recommended Dietary Changes
The consistency of the food you eat is paramount to making your adjustment phase easier and protecting your orthodontic appliance. For the first few days, focus exclusively on soft, non-chewable items that require minimal jaw movement. Excellent choices include:
- Mashed potatoes
- Smoothies
- Yogurt
- Soft cooked rice
- Scrambled eggs
- Soups
As the initial soreness subsides, you can gradually introduce more textured foods, provided they are cut into small, manageable pieces before being placed in the mouth. Tender meats, soft cooked vegetables, and pasta are good next steps. Foods that pose a risk to the blocks or require excessive force to chew must be avoided:
- Anything hard, such as nuts, hard candy, ice, or crunchy vegetables like raw carrots.
- Sticky foods, like caramel, taffy, or gummy candies, as they can pull the blocks off the tooth surface.
- Crusty breads, bagels, and tough meats that require significant tearing or forceful chewing should be removed from your diet until the bite blocks are removed by your orthodontist.