 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Diana
Date: 2003-01-14 22:11
A few weeks ago my two middle upper teeth started really hurting from the vibration when I play. I consulted my dentist and he said I must have been biting too hard; there was no permanent or serious damage but that the teeth had become somewhat loose. He advised me to stop playing but didn't indicate for how long. I stopped for a week, played a bit and it still wasn't good, stopped for another week and a half, but things are not improving.
I searched in the archived messages and found only a little information about this problem, mostly advising the use of a mouthpiece patch. I've already been using a black rubber mouthpiece patch for the past year and a half.
I sometimes use a piece of EZO denture cushion on my lower teeth so I tried some over my top teeth. It helped a bit but not enough so I resorted to playing double lip. I can do this reasonably well if I keep the EZO over my top teeth, but though it feels better it doesn't resolve whatever underlying problem is going on.
I've been playing for over 35 years and never had this happen before, and I thought I was being very aware of using upper lip pressure rather than upper teeth. I'm sure that I did inadvertently bite too hard at some point, but the situation isn't getting better. I'll probably go back to my dentist again but he doesn't know anything about playing the clarinet and I'm wondering whether there might be something else going on. Has anyone run into this problem of upper teeth pain from vibration when playing, and resolved it?
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Author: Synonymous Botch
Date: 2003-01-15 11:46
Playing for 35 years......hmmm?
And Zis iz a recent develokmaint?
I vould zuppose zat a lonker vacation iz in order...
I wonder if your dentist has recommended screening for gingivitis?
High frequency vibration and loose teeth would probably result in enervation of the nerve roots. That even SOUNDS painful.
I think you're on the right track with double-lip, and time away.
Take up the flute for awhile... you'll still use the lip muscles, and you'll get to play the melody lines!
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Author: Bob
Date: 2003-01-15 12:42
If your dentist hasn't insisted on x-rays and suggested seeing a periodontist I would be surprised.....
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Author: Abby
Date: 2003-01-15 17:55
It might be worth a second opinion. I damaged a front tooth (smacked myself with my metal sax mouthpiece) and it took two years to get a correct diagnosis (which was that a root canal was in order). In that time I had part of the gum that was swollen removed by an oral surgeon. When I went back a year later, he said "Oh, you probably need a root canal."
So it's worth going to someone else right away. This guy was affiliated with the first dentist, and I think if I'd gone to the dentist who did the root canal right away it would have been fixed more quickly & with fewer procedures. I went to the second dentist because the first (who got a letter from the oral surgeon re: root canal) wanted to file down the tooth and put a crown on (and I'm 21---not that you ever want a crown, but I sure didn't want one this early if at all possible), and he wasn't really answering my questions.
I apologize that my story is pretty muddled! It was quite the ordeal.
My point being that sometimes a different dentist will have new (and better) suggestions
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Author: Wes
Date: 2003-01-15 18:15
It is suggested that you check with a peridontist. My teeth and gums were a little sore for the last few years or so and some felt loose. The peridontist found receding gums which they measure with a little gauge and recommended full mouth surgery. This was done last year in two sessions of two hours each with a three month interval between sessions. They cut open the gums, scraped infection away from the roots, and sewed the gums back together.
I'm simply delighted with the results as the gums now hold the teeth solid and nothing is sore anymore. Further, the infections cannot spread to other parts of the body, thus probably prolonging my life. I had no idea prior to this. The operations were expensive but worth every penny. It has helped my clarinet playing.
Interestingly, the surgeon is a very beautiful Egyptian lady who wore eye makeup as seen in the ancient tombs. It alleviated the discomfort of the operations.
Good Luck!
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