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I had my wisdom teeth removed today. I've searched past threads about how long to wait until playing, etc. I know I'll have to get my chops back to playing shape. My question is, in the long run, how has it affected your playing once you got back to full speed?

Greg wrote:For me, a week at most. But then, my wisdom teeth removal was not similar to any of the nightmares that I've read.

I had one wisdom tooth removed a couple of years ago. It also was not the nightmare often described. I believe it did have a minor effect on my playing, however, even after full recovery. I also believe I simply adapted to that effect.

well, I had mine pulled last summer mid-legion band season (not fun). I feel your pain. I had a lot of swelling and a stubborn peice of gum that prevented me from chewing and kept me on the vicodin for a few weeks. When I had a concert coming up I decided enough was enough and i said "to hell with it, I'm playing" I went to the concert (jacked up on vicodin still) and played. Playing actually helped me ALOT, the swelling reduced and I eat the first solid thing that I could get.....mmmmm cheeseburgers, anyways I felt great. I did not play at all when the stitches were still in. I had dissolveing stitches and when they came out I started playing again. I really had no problems diving back in to playing no chop problems or range issues. I would advise doing breathing exercises and that's it. Good Luck!

Too painful. All four wisdom teeth and two more lower molars besides. Two sessions under general to surgically extract them. I looked like a chipmunk for two weeks afterwards on each side due to the swelling. I hope you have better luck.

I'm a dentist...
My daughter, a trumpet player, was advised to wait 3 or 4 weeks. She still had some pain when she resumed, but she went from no playing at all to quite a lot of playing.
Dry sockets are the result of the healing process stopping and the newly forming tissue that is filling in the hole breaks down and leaves exposed bone. Painful. Very painful for some. Causes are varied and some unknown. Sucking through straw right after surgery, smoking, general health/ nutrition and blood clotting problems are some causes.
It can take a while for the soft tissue to heal, some people are faster healers than other. It takes the bone 6 or more months to fill in. Blowing hard too soon can push air into the void (probably what my daughter was experiencing).
Depending upon how difficult the extractions are, a couple of weeks minimum I'd say, before GENTLE playing. If they're impacted (so more work to get to them) the hole may be bigger or deeper, and require more healing time.
You can still do lip exercises, breathing technique practice, etc. to keep somewhat in shape.

Hope it goes well!

I agree, my dad waited until he was married and off on his own. He (and mom) had to pay out-of-pocket but it was still worth it. Too many problems down the road to not take 'em out now.

I pulled my wisdom teeth out myself using a rusty screwdriver and a needle-nose pliers.

This is all you really need.



That very same day I ran the L.A. Marathon while circular breathing Moto Perpetual the entire length of the course while playing a 1939 York Sousaphone plated in 24K gold with a dirty old sweater trapped in the lower bow.

That night I played the entire Ring Cycle with the L.A. Opera, died, and took the next red-eye to Sydney, where I finally fell asleep with a refreshing brew.

Fosters.



That's Australian for kangaroo piss.

Thanks for all the input, guys. The surgery went well. I was fortunate that they were all straight. The doc said it took 20 minutes. The major concern was bleeding. I have a birthmark on my face that goes all the way through the gums & throat. It took a bit longer for the bleeding to stop on that side. The pain is all but gone, just a couple of tender spots. I'm going to try buzzing the mouthpiece next week & go from there.