Though you know they’re necessary to straighten your smile, having braces can impact your life in unexpected ways. You’ll have new dietary restrictions to be aware of and will have to discover how to brush your teeth around the wires and brackets, for example.
For those who play musical instruments that involve their mouths, however, there are some additional challenges to contend with. Many patients worry that they’ll have to give up their art to perfect their smiles as a result. Fortunately, that’s not the case! Continue reading to learn 3 tips to successfully play your instrument with braces!
Tip #1: Practice More
It takes time to get used to braces, especially if you’re learning to play an instrument with them on. Whether you’re just picking up a new skill, or are an experienced master, adding orthodontics to the mix is going to require some extra work. You’ll need to figure out how to hold your mouth and tongue appropriately which doesn’t happen without putting in some practice.
Plus, you’ll need more time to build up calluses against the metal. Spending more hours playing your horn or woodwind helps speed up this process. While it may be uncomfortable at first, you’ll soon find that your embouchure has adjusted accordingly.
Tip #2: Use Wax
You’ll notice pretty quickly where your mouth is most sensitive to your braces when you play your instrument. You’re likely to have certain spots that press against them and rub painfully against your inner lips or cheeks.
Fortunately, you don’t have to just live with the discomfort. Your orthodontist probably provided you with a special wax that you can place over the sharp corners of your brackets to protect the soft tissues inside your mouth. This reduces any raw areas so that you can focus on more important things, like finger placement or airflow.
Tip #3: Change Your Routine
You won’t need to completely relearn how to play your instrument once you get braces, but you will be required to adapt what you already know. Your embouchure will require modification, for example, simply because you’ll have to hold your muscles in new ways.
Instead of feeling frustrated by the inevitable differences, why not treat them as an opportunity for growth? By changing your practice routine, you’ll have the chance to notice any previous errors you may have had with your techniques. By calling attention to them, you’ll be better able to reduce mistakes and perfect your craft.
If you are worried that your braces will interfere too much with your music-making, then ask your orthodontist about alternatives. Depending on your circumstances, you might do better with a removable option, like Invisalign.
In most cases, it’s entirely possible to play your musical instrument with braces on so that you never have to feel like you’re missing out!
About the Author
Dr. David W. Cordes has more than 20 years of experience straightening smiles for patients at all stages of dental development. He graduated from The University of Connecticut School of Dental Medicine and specializes in orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics. He stays on top of current innovations and uses advanced technology, like digital imaging, to enhance patient comfort and treatment efficiency. If you’d like to schedule an appointment at our Enfield orthodontic office, you’re welcome to request one on the website or by calling (860) 749- 1909.