Klarinet Archive - Posting 000187.txt from 2008/09

From: Nancy Buckman <eefer@-----.com>
Subj: Re: [kl] Clarinet playing after gum surgery?
Date: Tue, 30 Sep 2008 02:31:14 -0400

Claudia,=0D
=0D
The mouth doesn't necessarily heal quickly. Most people having simple extr=
actions =0D
of the wisdom teeth, with no complications, have healthier mouths than thos=
e =0D
requiring gum surgery. While I can't comment on the reason for Claudia's s=
urgery, =0D
periodontal problems usually stem from inadequate daily care of the teeth a=
nd =0D
gums. If the teeth are loose before the surgery, chances are the person ha=
s had =0D
issues with playing ability for a while anyway. In any case, it makes sens=
e to =0D
wait until the dentist says your teeth are safe from harm before resuming p=
laying. =0D
Without healthy teeth, and especially the bone that supports them, wind pla=
yers are =0D
no more.=0D
=0D
It has always amazed me how little care so many wind musicians give to thei=
r =0D
teeth. The teeth are the foundation of the embouchure and require the best=
of care =0D
from the first day one puts an instrument into the mouth to make music. An=
d =0D
contrary to what seems to be popular opinion, fixing bad teeth (even as an =
adult) =0D
does not ruin your ability to play your instrument. It makes the likelihoo=
d of =0D
continuing the endeavor much greater, and much more comfortable. =0D
=0D
I know someone who is retired from one of the top US military bands (clarin=
etist) =0D
who had very crooked, crowded teeth. I was undergoing treatment for a long=
-=0D
standing, serious TM joint problem that ultimately required me to have my f=
ace =0D
surgically reconstructed. This person was appalled that I would take such =
a chance =0D
with my ability to continue playing. It is now 21 years later and I am pla=
ying =0D
better than ever, while she can no longer play because of decaying teeth an=
d =0D
multiple abcesses, which are due in part to the cramped, crowded teeth and =
the fact =0D
that she was a smoker for 30+ years. I still have all of my own teeth that=
were in =0D
my mouth before I started the extensive treatment (7 years worth!). I have=
had no =0D
fillings since I was fifteen and my first set of braces were removed. Ther=
e were 2 =0D
very small ones under the bands of two bottom teeth when my braces were rem=
oved in =0D
1966. I have since had 3 more sets of braces and still wear retainers, eve=
n when =0D
playing.=0D
=0D
Moral of story.....only take care of the teeth you want to keep! Have your=
gum =0D
surgery and listen to what you periodontist tells you to do, and then do it=
. Have =0D
patience and let your mouth heal properly, and you should be able to play u=
ntil YOU =0D
decide to quit.=0D
=0D
Best wishes,=0D
=0D
Nancy=0D
=0D
Nancy Buckman=0D
Orchestra AACC=0D
Opera AACC=0D
Baltimore Flute Choir=0D
Early Music Society of Northern MD=0D
eefer@-----.com=0D
=0D
On Tue Sep 30 0:11 , Bill Hausmann <bhausmann1@-----.net> sent:=0D
=0D
>At 05:30 PM 9/29/2008, you wrote:=0D
>>Has anyone here had experience with gum surgery? If so, how long did=0D
>>it take until you could play clarinet again? I may be in for this =0D
>>treat, though=0D
>>I'm hoping it won't be the case.=0D
>>=0D
>>Thanks,=0D
>>Claudia=0D
>=0D
>I guess it depends on the extent of the surgery. I had a wisdom =0D
>tooth extracted on a Tuesday afternoon and played a show on clarinet =0D
>and alto sax on Saturday night, but I was glad I did not have to do =0D
>the show on Friday. The mouth heals fairly rapidly.=0D
>=0D
>=0D
>=0D
>Bill Hausmann=0D
>=0D
>If you have to mic a saxophone, the rest of the band is TOO LOUD! =0D
>=0D
>=0D
>------------------------------------------------------------------=0D
>klarinet-digest-unsubscribe@-----.=0D
>=0D
=0D
=0D

------------------------------------------------------------------