Here you go:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/...n-clarinet-instrument-woodwind_n_4221368.html
http://www.npr.org/sections/health-...-breath-that-clarinet-could-be-a-germ-factory
A good starting point is the article on Stephen Howard's homepage:
http://www.shwoodwind.co.uk/HandyHints/mouthpiece_hygiene.htm
As those links show there can be cases of health issues. However, if you take a close look at those studies and publishing years cited in the articles above, they are quite rare considering the millions of woodwindplayers around the world. The question is where did those germs come from in the reported patient cases? Could have been caught by the player somewhere and introcuced to the instrument later on. Could have come from sharing ones instrument. Could have come from second hand instruments in untidy cases. There is a study out there that cultured bacteria / fungi from instrument cases (can't find it right now) with impressive results.
Some of the germs found in instruments, mouthpieces and reeds can have harmful effects. A bit of hygienic procedures can therefore be beneficial and are easy to follow. The procedures in Stephen's article are a good idea. Cleaning your mouthpiece on a regular basis is sensible. There are quite a few players that accept build up of calcium deposits on and in mouthpieces as natural ignoring that this will also mean there is a biofilm of germs associated with it. Sucking back spit from such a mouthpiece to clear up your playing on a "wet" day?
So this is what I do as a trained microbiologist. Disclaimer: Left microbiology behind about 20 years ago, but still in science.
- Clean the mouthpiece in a mild solution of citric acid. The same you use for your coffee maker. Removes calcium build up. It disolves the gunk. May need a soft tissue to fully remove it. I do it about every other month. I am not to keen to treat mouthpiece rails with brushes.
- Disinfect the mouthpiece with a spray of wiping alcohol after cleaning.
- After a severe cold I clean and disinfect the mouthpiece. Disinfect the crook inside with wiping alcohol, put a bit of plastic wrap under you octave pad to avoid soaking the pad. Soak reeds in wiping alcohol. Especially, if you have had to take antibiotics you don't want to have those bugs still sitting on you mouthpiece and reeds.
- Pull through: I wash in hot water and detergent about every other month. When I had a severe cold I soak them in alcohol first.
With wiping alcohol you need to be careful with vintage ebnoite mouthpieces. I only have modern mouthpieces and have seen no ill effect on them. However, I once disinfected an older Link Tone Edge and that gout slightly discolored and a bit smelly. Could be polished off but nevertheless be careful.
Don't panic. Health issues are rare!
The Silverstein light, in my opinioin, is simply a rip-off. But if you are a technical guy feel free to buy one. I am not sure about its effects on ebonite, though. Ebonite turns green and smelly if left to the air and UV light. You see greening in quite a few vintage mouthpieces. So in my book UV plus ozone might be the worst you can do to ebonite. Ebonite is crosslinked via S-S disulfid bonds and ozone will oxidize these affecting the mouthpiece. Much of the rational given by Silverstein is marketing blurb. Mouthpieces and cases get smelly because of the germs only as a secondary consequence. They smell because instruments are packed into cases before they are fully dried. Humidity in closed spaced tends to foster microbial growth. The light won't help against humidity. If you still want to part with you money, send it to me.
Alphorn
