Generally speaking, as the braces are on the back of the teeth, it can impact your ability to say the letter “s”. This can result in a temporary lisp. It's important to understand that this isn't permanent! So don't panic, you will soon learn to adjust to your new braces.
The lisp is primarily a misarticulation that results in unclear speech and is mostly due to error in tongue placement within the mouth. When a person wears braces that are too thick or wrongly fitted, the tongue protrudes beyond the front teeth. This would obviously result in heavy speech impediment.
Do you suffer from a lisp or whistling when pronouncing certain sounds? Along with your speech impairment, is your bite off? Orthodontic treatment could be the solution for clear speech, straight teeth, and an overall healthy smile. There are multiple types of bite issues that can cause speech impediments.
You may experience minor tenderness or sensitivity on your cheeks and tongue, making it slightly challenging to pronounce words or chew hard foods. This is completely normal! As your mouth adapts, you'll be able to speak normally within a week or two.
Any speech impairment or difficulty resulting from adjustment to wearing braces is temporary. The tongue may be having trouble reaching places and you may find yourself lisping at times.
Remember: this is temporary!
Your orthodontic appliances will certainly feel weird at first, and make it difficult for your tongue and other oral and facial structures to move as they normally do when you talk. But they will adjust, it's just a matter of time.
Lisp speech therapy (also known as articulation therapy) is the best way to correct a lisp. S sound speech therapy can help both children and adults who have a lisp. Individuals who try to fix a lisp on their own are rarely successful.
How long do speech problems last? Most studies show that speech problems are temporary, with most speech problems resolving within 2-3 months (Paley et al., 2016; Khattab et al., 2013). Some people seem to adapt to their braces almost immediately.
Common Speech Problems Braces Can Fix
Braces can help solve a variety of speech problems by aligning jaws and teeth to allow speech to flow correctly. Your orthodontist will be able to determine if your speech problem can be solved with braces.
A lisp is a speech impediment that specifically relates to making the sounds associated with the letters S and Z. Lisps usually develop during childhood and often go away on their own. But some persist and require treatment.
To help correct a dentalized lisp, focus on making the tongue only lightly touch behind the front teeth, instead of pushing hard against them. One simple strategy you can practice is called the exploding /t/ technique. To begin, say the /t/ sound four times consecutively, and then hold the sound on the last one.
Lisps (L, S, H, Th, G, R, RR, F, W, Ch words and sounds) can easily be treated by a Dentist with laser surgery, which would take less than 10 to 15 minutes to complete, aka: Frenelectomy and /or Frenectomy. Healing time normally takes a few minutes or a few hours.
Most lisps are caused by wrong tongue placements in the mouth, which in turn obstructs air flow from the inside of the mouth, causing the distortion of words and syllables. Tongue-ties are also considered a probable cause of lisping.
If someone has an improper bite or misaligned teeth then orthodontics can help straighten their teeth, allowing the tongue full movement within the mouth. This should see their lisp corrected. Talk to your dentist about the lisp or bite problem; getting treatment early helps to ensure the best results.
By altering the cavity space and shape in the mouth, your voice resonates differently. Thus, a few teeth shifting slightly, won't make a huge difference. However, long-term braces that entirely realign your jaw shape may create a slightly different tone.
There are certain words and sounds that are very challenging to pronounce if teeth are crooked or misaligned. Crooked teeth can cause a lisp or whistling. These speech impediments, affecting both children and adults, can be further complicated if the patient develops stuttering as an ancillary problem.
While it's best to treat a lisp when your child is still in their early school years, it's never too late to correct lisping. With time and consistency, a speech therapist can help you treat a lisp so you can boost your communication skills and your self-esteem.
An overbite is a major cause of lisps and whistling while talking. Gaps between teeth can also cause lisps. Air is able to escape while making sounds that require you to press your tongue against your teeth, resulting in a whistling sound. Orthodontic treatment corrects malocclusions and closes gaps between teeth.
Speaking is considered to be a major life activity, and when it is substantially limited, speech impairment is falls within the definition of “disability” under the American with Disabilities Act (ADA), and individuals living and working with speech impairments are protected against discrimination.
If you have difficulty with "S" sounds, try the "Butterfly Technique." Place the outside of your tongue lightly on the sides of your teeth, like the wings of a butterfly. Keep the centre of your tongue curved in a groove letting the air flow over it. Now, try to make an "S" sound.
Many families literally go without needs and many wants to receive orthodontic care, even if money is really tight. Braces are a luxury that many children, teens, and adults alike are eager to have.
Dysarthria occurs when the muscles you use for speech are weak or you have difficulty controlling them.
There are several possible causes of lisps. In some cases, they may be due to a physical abnormality, such as a cleft palate or tongue-tie. In other cases, they may be due to a neurological disorder, such as Cerebral Palsy. And in still other cases, they may be due to psychological factors, such as anxiety or stress.
Lisps are very common in children and there are many reasons why they develop. While they are normal in early childhood development, if a child continues to have a lisp by the age of seven, you should seek professional assistance as the longer you wait to treat one, the harder they are to correct.