Especially for Children, Musical Instruments Can Impact Teeth!
Playing a musical instrument can be a great hobby. It requires discipline and practice to master and can be an endless source of relaxation and joy. (For both the musician and audience as well.)
But, especially for growing children, certain musical instruments can leave the whole mouth singing the blues. In particular, playing woodwind instruments like the clarinet or oboe can place increased pressure on teeth and potentially disrupt alignment over time. In other cases, the instrument doesn’t necessarily have to go in the mouth to be a problem. The violin, fiddle, or viola (which are supported by the chin and collarbone) can cause issues for those with jaw problems.
Aspiring musicians with a preference for a given instrument can usually overcome physical obstacles and bring melodies to life, but musicians can make the most of their talents by choosing the instrument that best compliments their unique physical characteristics, and a dental evaluation can help that process!
Musical Instrument Considerations Include:
- The current stage of Primary vs. Permanent teeth
- Use of Orthodontic appliances
- Overbite or protruding lower jaw
- Large or small front teeth
- Jaw problems
- Whistling ability
Dr. Angela Burns moved to Austin 10 years ago and instantly fell in love with our beautiful city. Dr. Burns is originally from the Texarkana area. She attended Texas A&M for her undergraduate degree and The University of Tennessee Health Science Center for her degree in dental surgery (DDS). Dr. Burns is committed to providing her patients with gentle, technologically advanced dental treatment. She attends an average of 60 hours of continuing education every year. She is a member of the American Dental Association, the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, the Texas Dental Association, and the Capital Area Dental Society. Dr. Burns and her husband, Gary, have an 11-year-old daughter, Sydney, who is a proud 6th grader at Hill Country Middle School. She is also very involved in the Eanes PTO, her church, and loves raising her family in the Westlake community. “Growing up, I was drawn to mediating and helping others feel more included and less anxious. I was a camp counselor, student government officer and being the oldest of five, I was the family mediator. I found that I had a calling to help alleviate stressful situations for others and realized that being a good listener was something that was key to this. These skills really helped guide me into becoming a dentist that has based my practice on relationships, empathy and a sense of comfort. I knew that I wanted to provide an atmosphere that felt like home when others walked in. Our practice is small, personal and state of the art and we hope you feel like you’re hanging out with friends when you are here!” When she is not practicing dentistry, Dr. Burns enjoys traveling, hiking the greenbelt, enjoying Austin’s music scene, and eating Amy’s Ice Cream.
