Will Dentures Affect My Speech?

When you first start wearing dentures, it's normal to feel some difficulty speaking and pronouncing certain words. You might even feel awkward and self-conscious, which is understandable.

As with any new process or skill, it takes time to adjust to your new smile. But in time, you will, and speaking, laughing, and eating with dentures may even become second nature.

Tips for speaking with dentures.

With practice and patience, most people can become adept at speaking with their dentures in place. Here are a few tips that can help you get accustomed to your device more effectively.

• Practice by reading aloud and avoiding mumbling or speaking in a whisper. By speaking as usual, you give yourself more opportunities to get used to your dentures faster.
• When words sound difficult, enunciate them slowly and clearly. That said, be mindful of sounds that can be more challenging to pronounce, such as th, f, and v.
• If you're having difficulty pronouncing certain sounds, try practicing saying them in front of a mirror so you can get used to the feeling of speaking with your dentures on.
• It's also helpful to try eating soft foods and making sure that your dentures fit properly.
• Observe whether there’s progress in terms of speaking with your dentures or if the problem only seems to worsen.

Dentures that don’t fit properly can cause speaking difficulties.

A well-fitting pair of dentures should remain secure even when you're talking. You shouldn’t have to worry about them slipping out of place as you speak. Your denturist can make any necessary adjustments to ensure that your dentures fit correctly and don't affect your speech.

In some cases, it may take several weeks or months for you to become comfortable speaking with your new dentures. It’s okay, even if you can't pronounce certain words perfectly right away, many people won't notice the difference.

As long as you keep practicing and remain patient with yourself, your speech should eventually improve.

How do I keep my dentures from moving when I speak?

Dentures fit differently in your mouth than natural teeth. You might find it challenging to gauge how far your denture teeth are from each other and end up using them with more pressure.

To keep your dentures from moving when you talk, try to speak slower. This way, you can better assess how much space there is and avoid applying too much force to your dentures.

Consult with your denturist to avoid speech problems with dentures.

If you've been wearing dentures for a while and are still having difficulty speaking clearly, consider visiting your denturist for an evaluation. They may be able to provide tips or make adjustments to ensure that you can speak comfortably and confidently with your dentures in place.

It's important to remember that everyone adjusts differently to wearing dentures, so don't get discouraged if it takes a while for you to become comfortable speaking with them. In time, your speech should become comfortable and natural.

Even if it takes a while to adjust, you'll eventually be able to speak confidently without worrying about your dentures slipping out of place.

To learn more about speaking clearly even with dentures on or if you have more questions about getting new dentures, contact us at Hayven Dentures. Our professional denturists here at St. Catharine’s, ON, are happy to educate you further about what you can expect during the process.