 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Maruja
Date: 2011-07-30 16:01
After a holiday when I couldn't play clarinet, going back to practice means a sore inner bottom lip. I have tried various over the counter 'numbing agents' and a mouth ulcer patch - none of which is brilliant. The best thing so far is putting a top teeth mouth guard over the bottom teeth - but this is a bit Heath Robinson-ish...
Has anyone got any other suggestions? Has anyone had the dentist make something for the bottom teeth? If so, how would you describe the problem to him/her? Any cheaper solutions?
Thanks in advance...
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Author: jvanullen
Date: 2011-07-30 16:24
Michael Lowenstern sells sheets of parafin wax on his website that you can cut to size and fold over your lower teeth. A patch lasts for much longer than cigarette paper or denture tape, and I've found it quite comfortable.
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Author: BassClarinetBaby
Date: 2011-07-30 17:00
Florist's Tape. It's a lifesaver. We used it whenever we were playing excessively, like on band camp etc. It's not expensive and one roll will last forever. You just double it over your bottom teeth and you're free to play painlessly
Never Bb, sometimes B#, and always B natural! ♫♪
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Author: PR
Date: 2011-07-30 17:11
I have had that problem before-where I have actually gotten canker sores right where the bottom teeth go. It was extremely painful. So I went to the store and bought the mouthguard for people who grind their teeth at night. It comes with a big piece that you can cut into smaller pieces to fit over your bottom teeth. It's very easy to make (takes about 2 minutes to boil, let cool for a few seconds then mold) and they last for a VERY long time. What I like about it is it's clear and locks onto the bottom teeth. I used to get strange looks from people when I used tape, and it would randomly shoot out of my mouth while I was talking. Hope this helps!
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Author: Maruja
Date: 2011-07-30 19:15
Thanks very much - I am not sure what floral tape is, but will go to the local florist and find out. I like the idea of the grinding mould - I will look on Amazon for some...
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Author: kdk
Date: 2011-07-30 19:48
EZO denture pads - basically gauze impregnated with beeswax - works well and a box could last a lifetime. They're available in drug stores and some supermarkets. Cut pieces off wide enough to cover your front two bottom teeth (where the lip injury occurs), warm the piece for a few seconds in your mouth (the wax will soften and become flexible), and then mold it to your teeth. I use the same piece sometimes for weeks, but there's enough supply in a box to last a long time even if you replace them more often.
Karl
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Author: agranta
Date: 2011-07-30 19:56
"roll-your-own" cigarette papers work like a charm! good luck.
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Author: CarlT
Date: 2011-07-31 00:09
Amen, kdk. I tried the EZOs, and they worked for me. I've only had to use one small cut-off (in 2 weeks), so I have plenty. I got mine at Walgreen's. I bought the lowers, not uppers. May not make a difference though?
As kdk said, just put a small piece so that at least the bottom 2 front teeth are covered. They will adhere to the teeth, and in a few minutes, you shouldn't even know they're there.
CarlT
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Author: tonyl
Date: 2011-07-31 00:30
I like useing FloraTape also. I buy it at florist shops. I have found a website where you can order it direct. I've never used this website but plan to when my current supply runs out.
http://www.2spi.com/catalog/supp/parafilm-floratape.php
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Author: Claire Annette
Date: 2011-07-31 01:04
I'm with Karl on the EZO product. I met a clarinet professor who also uses it--cut into small pieces like Karl does and like I do. I'm a double lip player so I use it over my top front teeth.
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Author: Joanna
Date: 2011-07-31 01:31
EZO. It's a lifesaver. Although I usually place the piece under hot water first, stick it in my mouth to mold it and let it dry before using it. It's much more comfortable this way.
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Author: salzo
Date: 2011-07-31 14:45
Another vote for EEZO. I recently used it when playing Eb clarinet. Lots of loud high stuff, I couldn't keep up on the pitch that was quite high to begin with, the EEZO helped a lot.
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Author: kdk
Date: 2011-07-31 15:56
DavidBlumberg wrote:
> Don't bite in the first place.
>
The problem is that lip irritation can happen even without biting. The act of pulling your lips firmly around the mouthpiece even without upward jaw pressure can press the inside of the lip against the tooth surfaces enough to do the damage, especially if the tooth surfaces have any unevenness.
Karl
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Author: Arnoldstang
Date: 2011-07-31 20:52
Try a neckstrap...BG for example. I have found it encourages you not to bite. Make sure it's snug enough so you aren't supporting with your arm. With this just add a bit of upward force with the right thumb. Works for me. Also Michelle Gingras has a nice video on youtube on how to make a hook for your clarinet thumbrest to connect to a strap. very inexpensive.
It may seem a round about way to attack this problem but the neckstrap helps the lip problem as well arm and overall relaxation.
Freelance woodwind performer
Post Edited (2011-08-02 19:34)
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Author: bob49t
Date: 2011-07-31 21:42
Maruja..............
Seriously, see your local dentist and get him/her to make up a clear thin orthodontic retainer for your four (if you have them all) lower incisors. I've got a special machine for this in my lab and have made many of these for my orchestral and clar 4tet colleagues. If they are kept on the little sectional model they last for a long time, never vary, are clear, so no-one knows they're there and smoothes off any sharp edges on the incisal edges.
Worth every cent/penny.. not difficult.
It allows for a softer approach and slightly increases your OVD (dentist speak for vertical dimension between underside of nose and point of chin)... arguably increasing the volume of the sound box that is your mouth and throat cavity.
Happy honking.
BobT
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Author: Claire Annette
Date: 2011-08-01 00:49
I completely agree with Karl.
David, it isn't biting or the chisel-edge of my two top front teeth that are the problem, in my case. EZO keeps the frenulum from being pressed into the slight indentation that occrs naturally between my top teeth. However, I agree with you about advising against biting.
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Author: annev
Date: 2011-08-01 02:46
I have sharp edges on my lower incisors, and at my teacher's suggestion had a clear orthodontic retainer made, as described by BobT. I don't use it on a regular basis because, as a student, I'm concerned about making sure I don't inadvertantly start biting on the reed. But I do use it when I have periods of extended playing and it's a life-saver! I used it this Spring when in the pit orchestra (six shows in five days) and this past month during band camp (no pain through the whole week). It's a really helpful thing to have in your tool kit for when it's needed!
By the way, my dentist had never made one before, but found it easy to do. He made a mold of my lower teeth and then had his technician create the retainer from that. Mine covers my lower six front teeth (and is invisible when on).
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Author: TianL
Date: 2011-08-01 13:15
definitely floral tape!!! i've got this advice from one of Ed Palankar's posts and it has saved me over the past few years. I have extremely small and sharp front bottom teeth, and the floral tape works great!! (also very cheap from "that" website too.. like a couple of bucks a roll and one roll lasted me 2 years).
but that doesn't mean you should bite, just that if you have sharp teeth like me and practice a long time a day, then the floral tape will definitely help. just fold like 4-6 layers over the bottom teeth and after 5 minutes of playing, you will find that it's molded into the shape of your teeth and you won't even feel it anymore.
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Author: Maruja
Date: 2011-08-02 13:39
I had a lesson yesterday and mentioned the problem to my teacher. She just said I have to play through it! I recognise that I have to toughen up the skin again, but once you get to a certain level of pain, producing any decent sound is a nightmare. Plus the fact, bob49t, that it actually doesn't sound too bad with the upside down tooth guard! I think I will go along to the dentist and get something made up which I can use when the going gets tough....
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Author: Paul Globus
Date: 2011-08-02 14:20
You might want to try experimenting with 1) the degree to which your lower lip is flexed, and 2) the amount of pressure being exerted between the reed and the lower lip. Very minute adjustments in both those areas can make an enormous difference how it feels when you play, and the control and flexibility you can achieve. You may discover that you will have no need for any artificial devices to decrease or eliminate pain and discomfort.
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Author: Carol Dutcher
Date: 2011-08-02 19:59
This is a great post and now that I know what to buy, I think I will try the EZO. I actually get such a sore mouth from playing, I have to lay off playing for a few days. Thanks all!!
Carol
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Author: Bob Bernardo
Date: 2011-08-03 01:44
agranta wrote "roll-your-own" cigarette papers work like a charm!
I have to agree with this tip. I do the same. Yu can use 2 or 3 pieces of paper, which is only .001" thick per paper. I can go 5 or 6 hours of playing each day.
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