Could Rust form in leadpipes

[iiipopes]

An aching jaw can be anything from wisdom teeth, to stress (clenching unconsciously), grinding teeth in sleep, pinched nerves, the leadpipe/mouthpiece combination not being at the appropriate height or angle to your embouchure and posture, some other illness, like flu, that can present with strange aches in strange places, any of a number of forms of arthritis, etc.

Don't diagnose yourself. Go to a competent health professional and get it sorted out properly.

There is no iron in the leadpipes of tubas, unless it's a minute trace impurity from the alloy production process, and this usually only applies to instruments made before modern metallurgy processes. With Miraphone in the 80's, it's as good as it gets: no impurities. My Miraphone is from the 70's, and its (brass - not nickel) lead pipe has with its patina turned to brown. This is natural, and actually desireable, as the particular oxidation that turns it brown instead of green or red (from, respectively, acid corrosion or the zinc coming out -- red rot), actually seals the brass and prevents further oxidation from occuring. It is this brown color that I can understand being confused with iron oxidation, especially if there is also a bit of red rot occuring simultaneously. But I'm sure your horn is fine.

Good luck on getting your jaw pain sorted out.

[MaryAnn]

If it does turn out to be your wisdom teeth, you are gonna just have to find a way to get them out. Find an oral surgeon who will take payments; if you have to drop down to part time and get a job to pay for it, that's one of the things life deals us every now and then. But make absolutely certain that your student health insurance won't cover it first....because even though it's "dental," it might pay because it is "beyond dental" the way you describe. Talk to everybody who will talk to you and see if someone is willing to help you find an angle.

MA

[MartyNeilan]

I found a medical mission who MIGHT be able to get one wisdom tooth extracted for $30 max, so maybe 2 for $60 max?

How much did you spend on your 1291? Even on your little F?

Maybe the ability to use those is worth more than $30-$60.

I saw a very good oral surgeon several years ago to have a mucocele removed. Had it not gone well, I would have looked like Bubba from Forest Gump.

[SplatterTone]

Frequently, sinus infections are the result of allergies to stuff in the air. And all that infection goo has a tendency to drip down into your throat. If that is what happened with you, then you will need to investigate getting some pills to keep the allergy at bay. Otherwise, you will get the problem again.

Often, dealing with the allergy can be simple. In my case, just one 30mg pseudoephedrine and two 25mg diphenhydramine HCL (i.e. generic Benadryl) before bed will keep bad stuff out of my head. If it has been rainy and mold is way up, I might need to take a little extra.

I have all four of my wisdom teeth (that should be obvious from the lucidity of my posts). They are indispensible for crunching ice. Keep 'em if you can.

[J.c. Sherman]

He said I might have TMJ, but thats in the top jaw

Um - there's only one jaw, I think. The rest is your skull, with one joint on each side

My sinus infections make my upper teeth so %$#@ sore I want to die - and I see a physician NOW if I have to play.

If you need a tooth extraction, check out the local college with a dentistry program. Often you can get work done for close to free. No need to worry, they have someone good on hand. HOWEVER, do get a good orbital x-ray, and educate yourself on the physiology of your own mouth before you permit a lower molar extraction. If they so much as touch the maxilur (is this right?) nerve in the jaw, you could be destroyed as a player. If the tooth is too close, see someone about having it/them raised orthodontically before extraction. Expensive, but you get to keep playing.

J.c.S.

[Todd S. Malicoate]

Will TMJ keep me from playing the tuba professionally/making my carreer out of it.

No, but it might give you the excuse you so desperately need...

First, TMJ is not a disorder or disease...it stands for Temporal Mandibular Joint. Everyone "has" a TMJ, your doctor was probably just saying you have a problem with yours.

Almost all TMJ problems can be remedied...my older sister had a problem with it that eventually was cured nearly completely. Surgery is rarely needed, but is sometimes an option. Usually, gentle manipulation and specialized muscle balancing techniques are used...I would think your doctor would have gone over this with you.

I'm still not convinced your tuba playing had anything to do with your TMJ problem...there is simply not enough impact in the jaw area when you play the tuba. Are you sure you didn't get hit in the jaw? Do you sleep with your arm under your jaw? You need to find the source of the problem.

[iiipopes]

In decades past, having had the combination of sinus infection, impacted wisdom teeth, and at the time playing tuba in a school ensemble, I literally have felt your pain. Do what your health professional says. Take it easy for a few days. Good luck!

[Rick Denney]

Don't worry.

Make sure your mouth rests on your mouthpiece with even pressure on both lips without having to jut out your jaw. That will cause pain (it does for me). Adjust your position until it's correct. If you have a severe overbite, you may need to have your leadpipe adjusted by a skilled technician, or even have a mouthpiece bent slightly.

Secondly, as other have said, brass doesn't rust. About the worst that can happen is that the zinc in the brass leaches out, leaving perforated metallic copper. This is called red rot, but it's not rust. Keeping the instrument clean and having it serviced regularly is the preventative.

Bacteria can grow just about anywhere that is moist. Keep your tuba clean. Swap out the leadpipe with alcohol before playing at least until you are over your sinus infection.

Don't screw with sinus infections. Take those antibiotics right through to the end as you have been instructed.

Stainless steel is a general term describing a range of different corrosion-resistant alloys of steel with (usually) high nickel content. Most stainless steel will rust in the right circumstances, but those circumstances usually require a strong electrolyte (saltwater comes to mind) and galvanic action. This won't happen to a tuba mouthpiece.

There, I think I hit all the topics.

Rick "thinking that jutting your jaw to fit a poorly positioned mouthpiece is the same thing as a problem with TMJ if you play a lot" Denney

[Wyvern]

Take it easy James and hope you feel better soon!