 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Josh Schultze
Date: 2002-10-28 15:09
Next January I'll be getting industrial strength metal braces. While I'm not overly concerned about how I'll look, most teenagers are in a state of physical change and my I'm sure that my current pimply visage will once again be restored to my former overbearing pulchritude, I'm extremely concerned how it will affect my playing. I have been making good progress lately and I don't want to see that progress eroded in the 18 months to 2 years that the braces will be on.
For those of you who have been through this I have some questions.
1. What is the level of discomfort when playing?
2. I've heard of some dental products that can be molded over the teeth to abate the pain. What is the name of this product?
3. How much time does it take to adjust to braces in terms of squeeks and high tones?
4. Will my tone, which my instructor assures me is "really pretty good', change, or degrade while having braces?
5. After the braces are removed, will my tone be altered? Will I be pleasantly surprised?
6. How long will the transition period be before I can play without squeeks?
Any comments or experiences that you may have had will be appreciated.
Thanks
Josh
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Author: David Spiegelthal
Date: 2002-10-28 15:32
Josh,
The braces situation was the topic of a previous thread here ---- do a search and you should find all the info you need. As I recall the general consensus was that braces should not be much of a problem with respect to your clarinet playing. Good luck, and happy teeth!
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Author: Ginny
Date: 2002-10-28 15:38
I cannot answer all of your questions.
My son played with braces and he had to adjust to having them off. The pressure on the reed had changed. He never used any wax or denture cushions (two ways I've heard of to cover the braces), but he's never been a real biter on his emb.
Also, some pubmed articles show that clarinet playing will shift teeth after braces. So you will probably need your retainer for many many years after the braces come off.
Talk to your orthodontist, they probably know a lot about this too.
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Author: Robert
Date: 2002-10-28 20:35
Hi Josh.
I had braces in high school, and continued to play clarinet. I tried using wax to take away the discomfort. It kind of worked, but was a bit of a mission to put on every time. I found that the best was to put some folded paper or cigarette paper over my teeth. The problem with the braces is the sharpness more than anything else. I was able to play normally with paper on my teeth.
Another discomfort was when I had my monthly appointments, and they tightened the braces. On those days there was some discomfort, which was made slightly worse by playing. But it wasn't too bad, and was fine the next day.
I didn't notice a change in my sound when I got the braces, but it took me a week or two to get used to the new shape of my teeth! After the 2 years they removed the braces, and I was expecting to be pleasantly suprised with my new tone, but it didn't really change! It took me another week or so to get used to playing without braces.
These were my experiences, so I'd say don't worry too much about the braces.
All the best!
Robert
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Author: Laura
Date: 2002-10-28 20:49
It takes a little while to get used to braces when you first get them on as well as when you get them off. It feels wierd. It felt like railroad tracks in my mouth when I got them on, but my teeth felt so flat when I got them off. It doesn't make much difference in your sound or ability to play. The only thing is the teeth soreness you get after your braces get tightened. If they dig into your gum or sides of cheeks, use wax. The orthodontist provides it.
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Author: George Lin
Date: 2002-10-28 21:37
Don't worry. You will get used to it. Keep a good supply of wax to ease the discomfort!
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Author: Nick
Date: 2002-10-28 22:49
First let me tell you that your braces won't be on for 18 months to 2 years. Rarely do people get them off that early (I was supposed to have mine off a year ago.)
I currently wear braces, and have never played clarinet without braces. Playing the instrument will be pretty unbearable for 5 days to a week after you get your braces tightened (especially when you've only had them on for a little while.) When the braces are tightened, you can't even chew solids. Imagine playing on the mouthpiece which is constantly vibrating!
Also, your teeth will definitely hurt if you bite down too hard on the mouthpiece. I used to have that habit, and it hurt a lot, but I corrected it through a lot of practice with double lip embouchures.
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Author: Michelle
Date: 2002-10-29 03:29
Josh,
You won't have a problem. I had braces put in my mouth about one year ago. At first it felt strange and hurt a little if the braces were rubbing against your gums or if your teeth were tender but after a fortnight or so you'll be fine.
I don't think you'll have too much trouble with high notes or squeaks, i didn't, maybe at first but it won't be nearly as bad as you think.
After you had them on for a month or so you'll be wondering why you wondered.
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Author: Michelle
Date: 2002-10-29 03:29
Josh,
You won't have a problem. I had braces put in my mouth about one year ago. At first it felt strange and hurt a little if the braces were rubbing against your gums or if your teeth were tender but after a fortnight or so you'll be fine.
I don't think you'll have too much trouble with high notes or squeaks, i didn't, maybe at first but it won't be nearly as bad as you think.
After you had them on for a month or so you'll be wondering why you worried.
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Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2002-10-29 14:19
Josh,
I played with braces for 4 years in jr. and sr. high school. It wasn't easy because of the pain factor with the monthly adjustments and the roughness inside the mouth. My orthodontist gave me wax to put over the braces for the first few days after an adjustment. Although braces have come a long way, the metal kind are basically the same as mine. My band director advised me to learn the french horn and sent me home with one. Because I had been sitting first chair and was also the band's drum major at the time, I didn't feel like starting at the bottom of the section learning something all over again--so I decided to stick with clarinet. Actually, french horn was painful as well--with the pressure against the teeth and all. Once I made my mind up that I would continue with clarinet, the battle was won. Your mouth gets "tough" after a while and they don't bother you. Then when you get them off there will be another great adjustment--but that's when I began double-lipping.
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