Double reed folks - braces?

[TheTurn0fTheScrew]

DC2 has just been accepted for orthodontics, and will be getting fixed braces. She plays oboe, and this sounds like quite an uncomfortable combination. Has anyone else had any experience of this? Anything that can be done to mitigate the discomfort?

I played oboe as a child, though didn't have braces so I don't have direct experience.

My DD plays French horn and will need braces at some stage. Her horn teacher has told us that she will basically have to give up playing whilst she has the braces on, other than some low register notes which put a lot less pressure on. I would imagine it would be the same with the oboe.

I'll be interested to read any responses.

With perseverance and determination they will manage, but they’ll really need to want to!

I played the oboe with braces as a teen. I seem to remember you could get some gummy patches to go over the worst bits. Your mouth also seems to adapt to it.

Guess it depends on style of braces. Ds played with braces but his were not full train tracks on both sets of teeth. Apart from postponing a fitting until the day after an exam he managed fine (& took subsequent exams ). Someone else I know skipped a couple of exam grades because although she was ok teacher felt her tone was affected. She jumped back in at 7 I think with no problem

Ah, thanks all. Good to hear of some who have struggled (wo)manfully on. I'll investigate the gummy patches. She'd much prefer to continue with her ensembles and she shouldn't be too exposed there. She quite accepts that solo performances might be off the cards for an adjustment period at least, and she doesn't mind having a longer run up to a higher grade.