I have had my wisdom teeth out resulting in damaged nerves in half of my lower lip - leaving my lip numb and tingly. I cant even manage the recorder at the moment, let alone my clarinet and flute. I have been told that the damage to my mouth may be permanent - any idea if it is possible to play like this and how to keep an embouchure? I'm like a bear with a sore head at the moment and murder to live with - I didnt realise how many emotions I take out on my poor instruments!

That's a bit rubbish Even though mine was only temporary, I remember lots of stomping round the house when I got banned for 3 weeks after hurting my wrist! Could you look in the mirror to see if you can get an embouchure, or can you not move your lip at all?

I know it sound stupid, but if you really couldn't manage playing wind instruments again, would you be prepared to play a string instrument?

I'm not much use really, am I?

When did you have the teeth out? Sometimes you do just have to leave things alone for a few days whilst the body heals itself. I hope you recover soon.

I had one wisdom tooth out a few years ago. Not pretty, and one side of my face inflated so much that I looked like a hamster, so clarinet was out of the question for a few days (but on the plus side, it was during the Rugby World Cup, so nothing to do for three days except watch rugby ). It was nevertheless pure bliss to be playing clarinet again afterwards!

I had all four out nearly a month ago. I cant get any sort of embouchure at all - I cant even get my bottom lip over my teeth! I already play the piano and double bass, but as teaching woodwind is my career, its a bit frustrating knowing that I may never manage to demonstrate anything to my pupils again!