When you first get your new dentures you're likely to find that speaking isn’t quite as easy with a dental appliance in your mouth. Here are a few tips from our Surrey dentists on how to get better at talking while wearing your new dentures.
Regardless of whether your dentures are removable or permanent, talking can feel pretty awkward at first, until you become accustomed to your new teeth.
You might experience changes or difficulties in your speech at the outset even if you wear the best dentures money can buy. For example, you might have trouble pronouncing S’s and F’s, or your dentures might make clicking noises or shift while you’re talking.
But don't be discouraged! The good news is that with practice, you’ll get used to your dentures pretty quickly, and eventually you'll go back to feeling perfectly comfortable when speaking.
Here are a few useful tips to help make things go more smoothly:
Dentures alter the anatomy of your mouth which can increase or alter the sound of your voice. Before you had dentures, when you spoke vibrations travelled through the bones of your jaw and skull. Now with the dentures in place, that’s bound to sound a bit different. Try to keep in mind that the difference is much more noticeable to you than to anyone listening to you speak.
If you notice clicking sounds when you speak, try talking a little more slowly. Slowing down your speech will prevent additional movements that lift or shift your lower denture. Keeping the lower denture stable requires help from the muscles in your lips, tongue, and cheeks, and that's bound to take some practice to master.
Bite down gently and swallow to keep your dentures in their proper position before you begin talking.
If you find that your dentures frequently slip out of place you might want to consider using a denture adhesive. Ask your dentist which adhesive they recommend.
It's a good idea to practice speaking when you’re alone. Read out loud to yourself, repeat words that you have trouble pronouncing, or even talk to your pets. Daily practice will help you talk with confidence again.