Dentures are a tried-and-true solution for replacing missing teeth, and many patients have turned toward them to rebuild their smiles and restore their oral functionality. And while the prosthetics are great for helping patients eat and speak once more, it doesn’t just magically happen—it takes some practice to get there! Here’s more about how dentures can impact one’s ability to speak and some useful tips to help counter these speedbumps.
How Dentures Affect Speech
Dentures remain in place thanks to a combination of adhesives, suction, and muscle control. While this is usually sufficient, the prosthetics can still sometimes slip and slide out of place, which can, in turn, affect a patient’s ability to speak! Patients might experience speech changes such as lisping, slurring, stuttering, and more. Your voice might even sound different to you since the sound is reaching your ears through the vibrations in the jaw and skull.
4 Useful Tips for Talking with Dentures
Luckily, there are many things you can do to improve your ability to speak with dentures. Here are some tips to help you out:
Ensure Your Dentures Are Correctly Positioned
Your dentures won’t do your verbiage much good if they aren’t properly positioned! Biting and swallowing before speaking can help you to get them in place. Denture adhesive cream can also help to prevent them from slipping and sliding around your mouth.
Practice Reading Out Loud (And with a Friend)
Reading out loud while wearing your dentures can help you get used to making certain sounds while also helping you gauge your volume and speed of speech. Practicing in front of a mirror or conversing with a friend or family member can also prove useful; remember, practice makes perfect!
Focus On Pronunciation
Certain words, sounds, and phrases will be tough to pronounce at first, such as the “s” or “f” sounds. To help with this, try counting out loud from 60 to 90. This will help you practice some of these hard-to-pronounce sounds and syllables.
Be Patient
It usually takes anywhere from 15 – 30 days for most patients to become used to speaking with their dentures, so don’t forsake your practice and have a little bit of patience. You won’t master speaking fluently with them at first, but if you keep at it, it’ll only be a matter of time!
If you’ve just received dentures and it feels like you’re never going to be able to speak clearly again, don’t fret! While things might seem challenging at first, with a little determination you’ll be back to conversing with clarity and ease once more.
About Blue Coast Dental Group
Blue Coast Dental Group is thrilled to provide an outstanding level of care for families in the Torrance, CA area! They offer a wide range of preventive, cosmetic, and restorative treatment options such as dentures to help you achieve a healthy, complete, and dazzling smile. If you have any questions about the article or would like to arrange a visit, you can contact the practice through their website or over the phone for further assistance: (424) 271-0156.