Posted by Steve K on June 21, 2003 at 19:52:52:
In Reply to: Clean mouth... posted by JW on June 14, 2003 at 17:40:37:
Watch the toothpaste residue in your mouth! Toothpaste contains mild abrasives to clean your teeth. Blowing these mild abrasives into your horn can cause problems with your valves.
Your choice is to flush your horn every couple of days to clear out the abrasives, or to flush out your mouth thoroughly after brushing before playing. (Personally, I brush at least 1/2 hour before playing (if I can), rinse my mouth out thoroughly then, and I also rinse thoroughly right before I start playing. Belt and suspenders...)
On the other hand, I know a professional symphony tuba player who drinks Coke during rehearsal! I asked him one time why his horn (a Yorkbrunner, no less) doesn't get all gunked up. He said that he has his horn chem cleaned every couple of months. Go figure.