To Teeth or Not to Teeth

[dctune]

I have a Q that is really just a curiosity. And I know this query touches a bit on clenchers vs lippers, and particularly not applying well to you exclusive clenchers. My apologies. Bite me.

When you smoke, do you draw in front of your teeth, letting the smoke hit your pearly…uh…ecrus? Or do you insert the stem past you teeth & let the smoke hit your tongue directly (or your hard palate for you P-lip pipers)?

Personally, I’m a complicated mixture. I clench on occasion as circumstance dictates, though it’s not my preferred practice as I become a drooling, sloppy mess. Then my pipe begins objecting by gurgling it’s displeasure, & I’ll not be reprimanded by both a pipe & a wife. A man has his limits. Plus, I much prefer the feel of a pipe in my hand. I’m a fidgeter, & a pipe is a perfect fidget.

So most often, I do a combination of lip with a very slight bite just to feel the stem between my teeth. Thus, usually, the smoke is delivered directly onto my tongue. However, I love the taste & experience of keeping the stem in front of my teeth & drawing first across my teeth. But I take my dental hygiene seriously, so it’s rare that I smoke an entire bowl across the teeth.



Just curious as to you thoughts & practice on the matter.

Happy new year.

 

[hoosierpipeguy]

I almost exclusively clinch so the answer is obvious.

 

[telescopes]

It’s too early in the morning to discuss the proper way to mouth a pipe.

 

[HawkeyeLinus]

FWIW, and I'm not sure it's worth much, lol, whether clenching or holding the pipe, it's never in front of my teeth.

 

[HawkeyeLinus]

It’s too early in the morning to discuss the proper way to mouth a pipe.

It's New Year's Eve, but even as festive as it is, I won't relate a related conversation my sweetie and I were just having, lol.

 

[telescopes]

Hand shakes are a perfect analogy. Firm, but not overly aggressive. Limp or soft leave the recipient confused and disappointed.

Seriously, men who can not clench and talk at the same time come across as a bit inept. When the pipe comes out of the mouth so one can talk, in my mind, it is to make a point where the body language of holding the pipe punctuates what is being said. Not being able to smoke and talk at the same time seems like a developmentAl step was missed along the way. Yes, it is an over generalization. So what!

 

[Sinzalot]

I clench beyond my pearly whites. Not sure if I could lip-only grip the pipe, i'd probably look like a slobbering bloodhound if I did.
I only clench on the right side of my mouth, I did try the left but my jaw freaks out and starts bouncing around emptying said pipe all over my face and lap (a great look btw).
Happy clenching or lipping

 

[Coreios]

I keep it behind my teeth.

 

[mso489]

I have the pipe in hand a lot of the time, but when I sip, I have the bit behind my teeth. My teeth are nearly as old as the rest of me, so I go easy on them.

 

[augiebd]

I usually clench but even when the pipe is in hand, it is past the teeth. Seems natural for me. I don’t use a lot of pressure to clench, more resting against the teeth.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

Clenched behind the eye teeth. I don't even understand this lip shit.

 

[TheWhale13]

I think he means that someone who does not clench might hold the pipe in a hand and let the mouthpiece rest pursed on their lips or with their lips just wrapped around the button. That is why the dctune said that this does not apply to clenchers, since it is difficult to clench a pipe without using teeth. Does this clarify anything? At least this is what I think that the poster means, and it is a valid question considering dental health/appearance.

Happy new years from Sweden!

 

[dctune]

I think he means that someone who does not clench might hold the pipe in a hand and let the mouthpiece rest pursed on their lips or with their lips just wrapped around the button. That is why the dctune said that this does not apply to clenchers, since it is difficult to clench a pipe without using teeth. Does this clarify anything? At least this is what I think that the poster means, and it is a valid question considering dental health/appearance.

Happy new years from Sweden!

Yes, this is it. I probably just wasn’t very clear. But in short, the question revolves around whether you let the smoke initially hit your teeth, or whether you always bypass the teeth and let it initially hit you tongue. If you clench, I assume the smoke always hits your tongue with every draw as clenching requires the stem be situated between the teeth, and thus the hole situated behind them.

 

[K.E. Powell]

I don't have any tastebuds on my teeth, and I don't need to chew the smoke, so...yea. Past the teeth, I suppose.

 

[The Clay King]

I NEVER clench my clay pipes; I don't want to get pipe notches...

Smoking left notches in Victorian teeth – The History Blog

www.thehistoryblog.com

https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Rounded-notch-in-occlusion-due-to-habitual-pipe-smoking-individual-no-2-130-male_fig1_229938075

https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Evidence-of-multiple-pipe-notches-in-the-dentition-of-an-adult-male-from-19th-century_fig5_288889517

Seems common in skulls from the 'clay pipe' era...
I'll probably confuse future historians as my flat's furnished like a medieval Great Hall and is built on land formerly belonging to a medieval manor house
There's a new care home here in Chesterfield built on the site of a former Drill Hall and they've re-used the original frontage / date stone...

 

[LeafErikson]

Clenched behind the eye teeth. I don't even understand this lip shit.

 

[LeafErikson]

I usually clench in my molars so the smoke goes into the back of my mouth/tongue. If the pipe has an acrylic stem I might let the button hang against the back of my front teeth at times but still it’s behind my teeth.

 

[bullet08]

Smoke doesn't "touch" my teeth when I draw. But, I let smoke linger in my mouth so teeth get covered in smoke. Clench most of the time.

 

[Chasing Embers]

it is difficult to clench a pipe without using teeth

I do it all of the time!

 

[vosBghos]

I do it all of the time!

Was gonna say teeth or no teeth literally I leave my dentures in the cup for morning and late night smokes. Vulcanite mostly clenched with gums and lips, ( full bents come in handy with no teeth)