MsTiaLia-
Hey there! Glad you posted! I know about those buildups...I've had mine for 8 weeks, and will have them for AT LEAST another 10 weeks (4.5 months total, assuming I get them of in 10 weeks). I have a 6 mm overbite. It's virtually impossible to grind food, with your teeth, like you normally did. As you said, your teeth are only meeting at two (rather small) points. Cut things into really, really small pieces (you can swallow those whole)...and stick with soft foods for a while.
One thing I noticed was that (at first), I chewed like a cow...seriously! My mouth had to be open wider than normal, so I could get the food in between the buildups and my upper teeth to grind it. Well, that got a little embarrassing, so I decided that I simply needed smaller bites. It was a bit exhausting to eat, there for a while, and I lost a few pounds. However, you will naturally compensate for this. Eventually, you'll get around the annoyance of it all. Especially if you like food, like I do.
As far as the pain...well, take your Ibuprofin BEFORE you feel pain. What I mean is...take it regularly... as is prescribed, even if you don't feel any pain. Also, try to relax your mouth as often as possible. This will ease that "constantly flexing muscles" feeling. At least it did for me. Further, I found that I was simply more tired. I needed a few extra zzzzzz's.
I was lucky...I didn't feel any pain...just pressure....but I couldn't really call it pain. I'm sorry to hear that you're feeling pain.
Use your wax...salt-water rinses...brush tenderly, but thoroughly...keep up with your OTC pain meds...and just know (as I'm sure you realize)...this pain is temporary.
Hang in there!!
eagle