 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Josh
Date: 2003-01-11 00:52
Do others have a problem with the two center, lower teeth biting and causing pain? Is there any kind of tip as to how I can reduce this?
Thanks
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Author: Peter
Date: 2003-01-11 01:24
There are bite pads made to shield your bottom lip from your teeth. I saw some some time ago, but I don't remember where. It's possible someone else might know, however:
Some time ago (also) I needed to learn some music I was to play and I practiced about 6 to 8 hours a day for four or five days, by the time the third day came along I was down for the count.
I went to the Sports Authority and bought a rubber sports mouthpiece (I'm not sure what they are called.) After I followed the directions on it to "shape" it to my mouth and teeth, it was thin enough at the top of the front teeth, but too cumbersome everywhere else, so I cut out the sides in excess of the four bottom, front teeth and it worked like a charm.
I still have it somewhere, but I've never used it again, as I cured myself of ever wanting to do that to myself again!
As many of us here often say: I hope that helps.
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Author: Wes
Date: 2003-01-11 02:02
One can ask one's dentist if they can round off the sharp edges on the lower front teeth. A strip of white athletic tape can be stuck to the lower front teeth to provide a less sharp edge against the lower lip. Good luck!
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Author: Heidi
Date: 2003-01-11 03:37
I use common everyday, everyway masking tape. I cut a narrow band of it, fold it over on itself so it's not sticky, and put it on my teeth..In a few days it is molded to my teeth and is just the right thickness to protect my poor lower lip. It lasts for an amazingly long time and is very inexpensive.:)
Good luck!
Heidi
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Author: Terry Horlick
Date: 2003-01-11 04:04
Your dentist can also make a vacuum formed appliance. I would do it just like a minature athletic mouth guard. I have a friend who has used one for years for playing sax or clarinet and he says it works just fine for him.
I suggeset that whatever you do you make sure any appliance fits well so you won't aspirate it whilst playing.
TH
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Author: Birch
Date: 2003-01-11 06:58
My father once had a dentist round off the sharpness of his lower tooth. He said it helped some. For me, it only hurts badly when I've been playing quite a lot, at which point some fierce cursing and swearing and a pint of beer seems to work wonders.
-Cheers-
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Author: Elizabeth
Date: 2003-01-11 16:41
Hi,
I have found that using a common or garden cigarette paper folded in half lenghtways, then twice more, licked and placed over my two bottom teeth helps to prevent my bottom lip being cut.
And no, I don't smoke!
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Author: Bob
Date: 2003-01-11 16:51
A friend of mine uses the adhesive part of an adhesive bandage...
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Author: Benni
Date: 2003-01-11 18:33
I've never used anything over my bottom teeth in an effort to prevent myself from biting. I know that even when one doesn't bite it can still hurt a bit, but after a while the area inside my mouth where my teeth rest when I play just seemed to "toughen up" a bit. It doesn't hurt anymore!
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Author: bob49t
Date: 2003-01-11 19:09
Don't use anything with adhesive in your mouth, you've no way of knowing if it's biocompatible ! Also if you mould something yourself you won't be able to construct it or finish it as a dental professional would.
Like Terry, I suggest going to your dentist and ask for a small clear vaccuum-formed appliance to cover your lower 4 incisors. This will make sharp edges smoother and also help to level out irregularities. It also helps to open the jaw a little bit increasing the resonance cavity. I made one each for my quartet and they wouldn't be without it now. They're easily duplicated so you can have a spare from the same impression. Ask your dentist for your model so you can have another one made. They should not be too expensive and they're a huge boon to playing. They're also invisible to the untrained eye.
Bob T
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Author: Marge
Date: 2003-01-11 20:42
I've found that added intake of Vitamin C (either naturally via citrus fruits/juices etc. or via tablets (such as the 500 mg. sort--1 or maybe even 2 a day for awhile) promotes healing/toughening of "clarinetist sore lip." If I'm going from a period of little or no playing to a lot of playing within a brief time, without the slower "ramping up" that would lead to lip toughening without much damage or misery, the added Vit C does the trick for me. It also helps when I simply have been playing too much over several days (rare occurrence, though, as I tend to be a slacker with practicing).
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Author: JMcAulay
Date: 2003-01-12 22:36
I once used *briefly* a short piece of small food-grade neoprene tubing with a slit in the side. Slipped it over the lower teeth and it offered an opportunity for the lower lip to heal. It was not wonderful, but better than not playing. And I do agree that not biting so hard may be the answer. Make your lips do more work, jaw muscles less.
Regards,
John
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