Why do Orthodontists Use Bite Blocks for Braces?
What is a Bite Block?
When you undergo braces treatment, you\'ll need to wear bite blocks. Also known as ramps or turbo, bite blocks prevent your upper and bottom teeth from touching each other while you take a bite. They also work to not let your brackets and wires rub against the inside of your cheeks.
Bite blocks are small pieces made from plastic, metal, glass or other materials that fit over your teeth. They may not be the most comfortable things to wear, but bite blocks are essential for keeping your braces clean and damage-free. Here\'s what you need to know about why bite blocks are crucial for braces and how to use them.
Why do Orthodontists Use Bite Blocks for Braces?
Your orthodontist recommend bite blocks for braces because they help protect your braces from damage. If you don\'t wear bite blocks, your brackets and wires can rub against the inside of your cheeks, causing pain, irritation, and even cuts.
This damage can slow down your teeth straightening treatment. Bite blocks also help keep your teeth and brackets clean. When you wear them, food and plaque are less likely to get stuck in your braces. This can help prevent tooth decay and gum disease.
What are the Common Side-effects/Problems Associated With Bite Blocks?
If you are already wearing bite blocks, you may know about specific problems or side effects that are caused due to wearing bite blocks for braces. 3 common problems associated with bite blocks are mentioned here, along with what you can do to fix them.
Check it out.
- Problem in Chewing
This is obvious as your teeth are not meeting each other like they used to. So you may feel it difficult to chew and eat your food. It changes the way your jaw muscle works. What you can do about it is to choose soft foods to eat instead of hard food that require vigorous chewing.
For instance, berries, smoothies, and yogurt are some excellent choices over hard food such as steak and nuts. You may get comfortable eating almost everything in small bites after a week or 10 days.
- Speech Impairment
Bite blocks can disrupt the motion of the tongue while speaking. So you may experience a lisp while pronouncing certain sounds. Difficulty in speaking increases if the bite blocks for your braces are attached to the inside of your teeth.
It can be disturbing mentally to not be able to speak clearly. But don’t take it to your self-esteem, as it’s a temporary phase. You can consult a language pathologist apart from practicing to improve speaking with bite blocks.
- Discomfort & Pain
Unfortunately, braces treatment has a lot to do with discomfort. And bite blocks add to it. But it’s nominal compared to the pain and soreness new braces cause. Still, you can get relief with the help of OTC pain relievers or anesthetic gels.
Soft foods such as mashed potatoes, scrambled eggs, and pasta also helps in elevating some discomfort as you chew less while eating these foods.
Apart from these common issues, there can be other problems as well. For instance, a bite block may not fit properly or cause discomfort. You can adjust the block so that it fits snugly against your teeth.
If that doesn\'t work, you can try using a different type of bite block or even braces. If none of these solutions work or you face an unexpected problem, you should consult with your orthodontist to find a solution that works for you. However, this pain and discomfort is a small cost for a permanent perfect smile on your face.
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