Talking is something that is taken for granted. However, some dental procedures, such as dentures and braces, can impact your speech. As someone who has just been fitted for a pair of dentures, it is time to be mindful of the impact dentures will have on your speech as you get used to wearing them. These three tips will help ease your denture wearing transition and help you become comfortable speaking with them in your mouth.
Slipping Dentures
When dentures are first worn, there is a period of adjustment while you get used to placing them in the correct position in your mouth. Slipping dentures impede your speech because your tongue is pushing the denture back into place. During the early days of denture wearing, gently bite down onto the denture and then swallow excess saliva before you start to speak. This technique ensures the denture is where it is supposed to be so your tongue is focused on forming words.
If you notice continual dental slippage after a couple of weeks of wear, make a follow-up appointment with the dentist to ensure the fit is correct, and also to discuss the type of denture adhesive you are using. You may be incorrectly applying the adhesive, and this is what is causing the denture to move.
Clicking Dentures
It is not uncommon for new denture wearers to become aware of a clicking noise while they are speaking. While the jaw gets used to the denture sitting on the bones, the muscles around it may try to dislodge it out of position because the denture feels unnatural to them. The clicking noise is the movement of the denture moving against the jaw. One technique to reduce the frequency of the clicking is to slow down your speaking. The slower you talk, the more stable the denture is in your mouth. Your muscles will get used to the denture after a few weeks and are less likely to try and push it out of the way.
Louder Voice
Another thing you may notice while you are speaking with dentures is that your voice sounds so much louder than before. However, the volume of your voice has not changed, but the way you hear it inside your head has. One technique to get used to this is to think of your mouth as a cavern. When you had your natural teeth, your voice vibrations moved through the cavern and reached your brain. Your new dentures have changed the shape of the cavern, which means the voice vibrations move differently to your brain. You will get used to the louder internal sound quite quickly.
If you find yourself struggling to talk naturally after wearing your dentures for a couple of weeks, make an appointment to talk to your dentist about it. They can help you resolve any further questions you have.
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