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I have heard quite a few stories surrounding the inability to play for a while after having wisdom teeth removed. Is this true? What are your experiences?

Had all 4 pulled at same time. Was back playing in 3 days when swelling went down, had no pain and took no pain killers. Find yourself a good oral surgeon. If they are impacted that is a different story.

Depends on the kind of work required to pull them.
Some peoples´ w.-teeth have roots that go all the way into cavities connected to your nasal system. The dentist will check this on the x-ray and after pulling the tooth.
In that case air will be passing from your mouth into your nose, and that will be fixed via further surgery. (It has to, not only because you as a tubist need an airtight mouth cavity.)
Nothing to grow grey hair about.

Wasn´t the case with me, and I was back on the horn the next day.

I had mine taken out exactly one year ago. They were impacted. I also got dry socket on the lower two. I didn't play for about two weeks, when I had to buck up for a gig.

I STRONGLY suggest following the advice your Oral Surgeon gives you. If he says do not play for 2 weeks... I would listen. I had mine out a year and a half ago and made sure to listen to the Dr and everything turned out great. My mouth healed and I was able to play just like he said. If you play too early and form Dry Socket... well I have never experienced but I imagine from what others say it is NOT pleasant at all. Best of luck - hope it works out well for you.

Had mine taken out a number of years ago... I wasn't playing tuba at the time but I was in a lot of pain. I would imagine that everyone reacts differently to the procedure but your body will let you know what is possible or not. Take it slow & goodluck...

Tim

WARNING, personal experience, results not typical, your mileage may vary.

Mine were an easy out... maybe too easy. When the doc "went for it" on one of my lower wisdom teeth, it came out so easily he punctured my soft pallate with the forceps. I had them out on Tuesday, had a rehearsal on Thursday playing Hovannes "And God Created Whales." The high Bb glisses at fff brought forth a mouthpiece full of stiches and a spit valve draning blood, but Friday and Saturday performances were fine. Did kind of freak out the 2nd trombone guy, though.

I hope yours go easy and you recover quickly.

Just make sure your doctor isn't a moron. My girlfriend had her wisdom teeth out last summer, and they decided to overlook the fact that there were still bone fragments in her mouth when they stitched her up. so a week later those bone fragments decided to work themselves out....not enjoyable.

I might have to get my wisdom teeth out of xmas break. Yaaay.

Sometimes, the doctor just can't get all the fragments. My wisdom teeth were so impacted against the molars and around my jaw nerves that they had to be taken out a piece at a time under general anaesthetic. Two years later I think I finally worked the last fragment out of my gum.

just reminded me....im still scared of braces (aug 16 app. WAAAAAAAAAA) lol

I got my wisdom teeth out 3 weeks ago. I was unable to play for about a week and a half. Playing in the upper register still hurts a little bit because that involves muscles in the back of the mouth. Just don't push it and try to play too soon after surgery because the pressure could push out the blood clot and give you a dry socket. That is BAD news. Good luck

I just got mine out last wednesday, Aug 2nd. I was able to play by saturday as far as the sockets were concerned, however I developed a very nasty mouth ulcer (cold sore?) that kept me on the pain pills and no solid foods diet for for about a week after that saturday. That ulcer also, obviously, kept me off the horn. If possible, one should give oneself at least a week or two to recover from the surgury.