If your upper lip aches or feels sore after playing saxophone, clarinet, or other instrument, you’re not alone. Most players deal with lip pain at some point, especially after long practice sessions or performances. The combination of pressure from your teeth and vibration from the reed or mouthpiece can make it hard to keep playing comfortably, and can lead to days of pain (you know if you've been there!)

Why Saxophone and Clarinet Lip Pain Happens

Lip pain usually comes from one simple thing; pressure.

When you play, your bottom teeth press against the inside of your lip. Over time, that pressure compresses the tissue and causes soreness, cuts, or even small calluses. The problem gets worse with harder mouthpieces or longer playing sessions.

This biting is an indication of either lip fatigue or poor embouchure. Practicing proper embouchure techniques can relieve this pain during short concerts or practice sessions, but fatigue can be unavoidable for long gigs or rehearsals. In this case, protecting the lip itself is often the only solution.

Many musicians try...

Anyone that has been playing long enough knows about Ezo, dental wax, little pieces of folded paper. While these might help for a short time, but they don’t provide a reliable solution. Most of them move around, wear out quickly, or change how the mouthpiece feels.

A Better Way to Protect Your Lip

The most effective way to stop lip pain is to create a thin, soft barrier between your teeth and lip. That’s what Liprotek was designed for.

Liprotek is a discreet, custom lip guard made from a moldable thermoplastic used in dental and biomedical products. It softens in hot water, fitting comfortably against your teeth and spreading pressure evenly across your lip. You can still feel and control your embouchure, but without the soreness.

Players often describe it as feeling “invisible” once it’s in place. It doesn’t affect tone or airflow and works with any saxophone or clarinet mouthpiece. Liprotek lasts a really (and I mean really) long time, I still use the first one I ever made many years ago. It can also be remolded as needed, and cleans easily with mild soap and water. Check it out now, and stop dreading those long gigs!

Cheers!

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