When you first get dentures you may find that talking isn’t quite as easy with a dental appliance in your mouth. Here are a few tips on how to get better at talking with your dentures in.
Talking can feel pretty awkward when you first get your dentures. Whether your dentures are removable or permanent you are going to need some time to get accustomed to your new teeth.
You may still experience changes or difficulties in your speech in the early days, even if you wear the best dentures available.
Often, new denture wearers find that they have difficulties pronouncing S’s and F’s, or that their dentures make clicking noises or shift while they're talking.
Rest assured that, with practice, you will quickly get used to your dentures, and you’ll gradually go back to feeling perfectly comfortable when speaking.
Here are a few helpful tips to make things go more smoothly:
Wearing dentures alters the anatomy of your oral cavity which can increase or alter the sound of your voice. When you spoke before you had dentures, vibrations travelled through the bones of your jaw and skull. Now with the addition of dentures, that’s bound to sound a bit different. Try to remember that the difference is much more noticeable to you than to anyone else listening to your voice.
Try speaking more slowly if you notice clicking sounds when you talk. Speaking slowly 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 this takes a bit of practice to master.
Before you begin speaking you can bite down gently and swallow to keep your dentures in their proper position.
You can try using denture adhesive if your dentures frequently slip out of place. Just ask your dentist which adhesive is right for you.
It's a great idea to practice speaking when you’re alone. Try reading out loud to yourself, loved ones, or even your pets. Be sure to repeat words that you have trouble pronouncing, remember...practice makes perfect!
Practicing daily will help you speak with confidence again.