Patients get dentures for lots of reasons—missing teeth, dwindling confidence, a diminished menu. Finally putting your new prosthetics in for the first time can feel like a relief, but more social patients notice something almost immediately: speech quirks. Mild lisps, clicking, and little pronunciation slips that never existed before are all common—and they will pass. If you want to know what’s happening and how to fix it faster, continue reading.
Why Do Dentures Affect the Way You Speak?
Your tongue, lips, and teeth work together as a team every time you form a word. It’s a skill that requires years of practice and development to get right. But when that “team” changes, even slightly, your brain and muscles need time to recalibrate.
Dentures alter the shape and feel of your mouth in small ways, which can temporarily throw off how you pronounce certain words. Syllables like “s,” “f,” and “th” are especially tricky at first because they rely on tongue placement against your teeth.
The good news is that this adjustment period is temporary. Most people find their speech returns to normal within a few weeks as their lips, cheeks, and tongue adjust to their new environment.
Tips for Adjusting Faster
If you’re eager to get back to your old way of speaking as fast as possible, here are some tips to speed up the adjustment period:
Read Aloud Every Day
This is one of the most effective things you can do. Read to your family, read the news out loud to yourself, or recite the lyrics to a song you know. Anything that gets your mouth moving through a range of sounds will help your mouth adapt quickly.
Record Yourself Speaking
This might be a little awkward at first, especially if you’ve never listened to your own voice before. However, listening to the playback helps you identify which sounds are giving you trouble so you can better focus your practice.
Slow Down
When people get nervous or self-conscious, their instinct is usually to rush through their words. While it may sound counterintuitive, slowing your speech gives your tongue more time to find its footing and reduces slipping or mumbling.
Most patients settle into comfortable, clear speech within two to four weeks. If you’re still struggling beyond that, or if your dentures feel loose or uncomfortable, talk to your dentist. A simple adjustment can make a big difference.
About the Author
Dr. Gus Bal earned his DMD from Boston University Goldman School of Dental Medicine and completed a fellowship in Implant Dentistry at New York University. He has been voted “Best Dentist in Scarborough” by the Readers’ Choice Awards for four consecutive years. If you’re looking for comfortable dentures that feel like “you,” call (504) 887-3311 to schedule a consultation at Nepean Dental Centre.