 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: locke9342
Date: 2015-05-13 07:13
What are your experiences, what pros and cons do you find? How do you deal with the cons?
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Author: maxopf
Date: 2015-05-13 07:19
It's been a few years since I had mine on. From what I recall, there were no real pros... I found that they tended to dig into my lip and leave painful indentations when I played, which I got used to over time, but there's wax you can put on the braces that could help that.
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Author: ashna99
Date: 2015-05-14 06:18
The cons are they cut your lip. You can use denture covers or wax for this, but when I use these my lip still gets cut. I just try to ignore the pain, but at the same time, I don't practice until I bleed, or my embouchure will be dead all week because my lip will be so cut up. Another con is that they take a couple of weeks to get used to. But the faster you start playing again after getting them, the easier it will be. Also, your tone is slightly brighter with braces. You can still make a really good tone with braces, but it won't be as warm as you are used to.
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Author: JHowell
Date: 2015-05-14 07:55
It's been a long time, but the period when I had braces was pretty terrible for playing clarinet. It hurt, all the metal messed with my sound, and it was really hard to play or practice for a few days each time they were tightened. But when they came off it was like getting a turbo, everything was immediately far better.
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Author: marcia
Date: 2015-05-14 09:07
I've had braces twice. First time as a teen, second time as an adult. After each adjustment, there was considerable aching which was relieved by medication. One dose was usually enough as the pain would subside after a day. Then there was the lip pain which was relieved by using wax on the braces. Eventually I was able to play without it.
So, no need to stop playing. And yes, the day they come off is very exciting!
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Author: BartHx
Date: 2015-05-14 20:24
My braces were back in the day when they had to wrap every tooth in a metal band (modern adhesives improve the situation considerably). In some places, the edges of the metal bands would damage the tongue or the cheek or whatever came in contact with them. I used lots of wax and gradually built calluses that provided the needed protection. Now, some 50+ years later, I have a supply of wax from my local orthodontist that I use to reseat speaker tubes and thumb tubes. The stuff I have works as well as bees' wax and the price was right ($0).
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Author: MSK
Date: 2015-05-17 05:20
Neither my own remote experience nor my son's current experience have found braces to be much of a problem. When the braces first go on, there is about a two week adjustment period. Don't expect to be able to play well or for very long during that time. Ongoing, there is generally about a two day period after braces are tightened when the teeth hurt and one can't play as long. A few people are bothered by the brackets rubbing the inside of the lip, although my family haven't had much trouble. The orthodontic wax solves the problem. Denture wax cushions also work for the bottom teeth.
My son has found it impossible to play with the rubbers bands that connect the top to bottom teeth. I have him keep extras in his case to apply after band class is over, but he usually forgets. LOL
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Author: j8649
Date: 2015-05-17 18:58
Having braces will affect your playing until you get use to the braces. For most adults, it takes about 2 weeks to get and for children, it takes about 1 week. Because there is less saliva in adults, the braces tend to be more irritating to the lips and the cheeks. Using wax on the brackets helps, but it is a bit messy. There are plastic strips called Bracket Guards that you can get from your orthodontist that clip on to the brackets, and they provide a better cushion when playing than the wax. They are also reusable.
Also, you can expect your embouchure to fatigue more quickly initially after placement of the braces since the lips must stretch over the brackets in order to make a seal on the mouthpiece. After a few days, your lips strengthen, and it is no longer a problem. Your embouchure will also need a few days to adjust following removal or the braces.
It is normal for the teeth to be sore after the initial braces placement and for a few days following an adjustment as well as for a few days following removal of the braces. Over the counter pain medications should alleviate this.
Braces can provide a lifetime of benefits, so it is worth the inconveniences caused during treatment.
I hope this helps!
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Author: BartHx
Date: 2015-05-17 20:12
"Braces can provide a lifetime of benefits, so it is worth the inconveniences caused during treatment."
I have to agree strongly. Before braces, my lower teeth were very badly misaligned and it was nearly impossible for me to achieve a decent embouchure. Once treatment was finished, my dentist did some minor touch-up of the uneven tops of my lower incisors to make them fit better with my upper incisors and playing with a decent tone became MUCH easier. Having braces was a pain, but well worth it in the long run. A little discomfort now will lead to many years of more comfortable playing (among many benefits) in the future.
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