 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: bala
Date: 2004-02-07 02:08
Hello everyone.
Just curious to know what you all have done to solve the problem of your bottom teeth hurting your lower lip so much it hurts to play. Any suggestions, from dentistry to home made solutions would be very helpful!
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Author: ksclarinetgirl
Date: 2004-02-07 02:20
My high school teacher told me to put cigarette paper in there, but it didn't work very well for me. The thing that I found works the best and is extrememly cheap is buying a roll of waterproof medical tape. Costs you about $3.00 maybe a little more. Anyway, tear off a little strip and fold it over the top of your bottom teeth, so that most of it is in front of your teeth, but there's a little in back as well. Once I put that in, I have absolutely no problems. Gave some to an alto friend of mine a couple of weeks ago and he said it was 150% better. That's what works best for me!!! Oh, they're also reusable if you don't find that gross
Stephanie :o)
"Vita Brevis, Ars Longa"
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2004-02-07 03:41
I just built up a big 'ol callous. I don't use any papers. However I don't know how hard you're biting that you're really hurting your lip. I'm curious, could it be possible that you're be biting too hard or practicing too long, too fast without giving enough time for that callous to build?
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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Author: chuck
Date: 2004-02-07 03:56
Talk to your dentist. A relatively inexpensive plastic device can be made to fit. Chuck
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Author: BobD
Date: 2004-02-07 14:25
The plastic thing is a good idea but the pressure will still be there and practice will eventually either deaden the pain or make you forget it.
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Author: Lisa
Date: 2004-02-07 16:56
OK, here's something I haven't yet seen on this thread or the other 2 that GBK suggested: Saran Wrap (plastic wrap). We used to use this all the time during those high school festivals when you rehearsed 8 hours a day for 3 days.
You take a small piece (experiment on the size) and fold it into a rectangle that's just a little smaller than your bottom teeth and can cover maybe 3-4 teeth across. Put it in your mouth in front of the teeth only. Then play for just a bit to "seat" the plastic so it conforms to the shape of your teeth. It should stay there for quite a while, and is a soft cushion for your embouchure.
Post Edited (2004-02-08 15:08)
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Author: Wes
Date: 2004-02-08 04:42
Also, one can ask the dentist if they would be willing to round off the sharp edges. The medical tape is a good suggestion.
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Author: musica
Date: 2004-02-08 14:21
Try EZO denture cusihions(available at drug stores). Cut a small piece, run under
hot water to mold to teeth and one will last for weeks/months. about $3.
WORKS GREAT!
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Author: Sue R
Date: 2004-02-08 15:40
I'm not sure just what your situation is but when I started playing again (after several years) I found that a small chip in my lower front tooth was very irritating. I tried just about everthing and I really didn't like the feeling of a "appliance" on my teeth, so I talked with my dentist and he ground just the sharp edges off and I haven't had trouble since !.
Sue R
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Author: Ray
Date: 2004-02-08 17:19
I use a cushion made from a piece of a cheap sporting-goods-store mouthguard sold for football players and boxers. For less than a dollar you can make eight or ten of these to last many years.
If you search the archives you will find some very detailed instructions, but in a nutshell you cut a dime-sized piece of off the mouthguard, drop it in boiling water for maybe 30 seconds, fish it out, smash it flat and quickly press it on to your lower teeth. Just the four in the front.
It may take a few tries to get one you like. Since you are working quickly you can get the thickness wrong, press it on the wrong teeth, etc. Just toss it back in the pot of boiling water and try again. Trim away any excess for a comfortable fit.
I made one and lost it. They are transparent and disappear easily. I made another and lost it. I made eight and now I don't lose them.
You can scrub them clean and they don't seem to wear out.
If your problem stems from biting and not just from funky teeth, you really should work to eliminate the biting also. Your sound and endurance will improve noticeably.
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Author: Joel Clifton
Date: 2004-02-08 21:25
Bay Lip Ease. I get it from www.wwbw.com: http://www.wwbw.com/Item/?itemno=83435
After a short time of playing, my lips would hurt and feel like they were damaged. Then I got some lip ease, and I've never had that problem again (I sound like a commercial. Sorry.)
A trick I use to make it last longer is to stretch it, fold it, stretch, etc., until it will not stretch anymore. It lasts for a long time if you do that.
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Author: allencole
Date: 2004-02-08 22:32
I endorse the EZO. It is as close as your nearest Wal-Mart, is easy to apply, and dirt cheap. I can play two four-hour gigs in a row while wearing it--and this has been put to the test a number of times.
I would grab some EZO for immedate relief, and then explore whatever other solutions.
One thing, though -- put it on BEFORE it starts hurting to any great degree.
Allen Cole
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Author: diz
Date: 2004-02-09 02:33
Maybe your lower teeth are excessively sharp? Might want to see what your dentist has to say on the subject ... I know for a fact that my teeth are quite sharp and I sometimes use wax over my bottom teeth (especially if I've not played for a while).
Without music, the world would be grey, very grey.
Post Edited (2004-02-09 23:35)
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