Summary of key points
At first look, this question seems to be rather simple to answer. Everyone wants to enhance the appearance of their smile, thus many individuals request braces for themselves or a family member. In reality, there are many reasons to consider receiving dental treatment. For example, were you aware that crooked teeth, often known as malocclusion, might make it difficult to speak? This indicates that your teeth do not bite together correctly. If you have difficulty speaking, braces may be able to assist.
When to Consider Orthodontics if You Have Trouble Speaking
We may be able to assist you if you have difficulty pronouncing specific sounds or words, whistle when speaking, or have a lisp. Speak to your dentist about it. You may also benefit from therapy if it is difficult for others to understand you and they claim you mumble. Dr. Rick Ryan, our board-certified orthodontist, can provide you with the most current and cutting-edge orthodontic therapy to improve your ability to speak correctly. You’ll also appreciate having better teeth and a healthier grin.
What Does It Mean When Your Teeth Are Out of Place?
Not having your teeth in the proper position might cause severe issues with your dental health. When your teeth are properly aligned, they should fit comfortably in your mouth and be evenly spaced. There will be no crowding difficulties, and your teeth should be in the proper position, neither twisted or curved. It is ideal for your teeth to fit together such that your upper teeth slightly overlap your lower teeth and the cusps of your premolars and molars, which are sharp points, fit into the gaps of the teeth in the opposite jaw. Mallocclusion refers to any difficulty with how the teeth fit together. If you have malocclusion, your teeth cannot perform crucial functions. Malocclusion occurs when your teeth are crowded, cross-bites, over-bites, under-bites, or open bites. If you have malocclusion, you may bite the insides of your cheeks, lips, or tongue often.
What may cause malocclusion?
Malocclusion is commonly handed down via generations, but certain events and practices increase the likelihood that your teeth may be misaligned. Some of them include:
- Using a pacifier beyond three years old.
- Long-term sucking with the thumb or finger.
- Long-term use of a bottle as a child
- Cleft Lip and Mouth
- Growths in the mouth or jaw
- Having crowded or misaligned teeth
- Improperly fitting crowns, fillings, and other tooth replacements
Speech issues may also be caused by enlarged adenoids or tonsils, as well as TMJ disorders, which affect the jaw joints and make it difficult to move your lower jaw.
How malocclusion may affect the way you speak
Your words may be difficult to comprehend if you have an overbite, a crossbite, or an open bite. To talk effectively, your teeth must fit together correctly, forming a seal that allows your tongue to rest comfortably on the roof of your mouth. Having an overbite or open bite may make it difficult to talk because your tongue creates a hole instead of your teeth, disrupting communication. If your tongue does not have enough space to move, which may happen if you underbites or crossbites, your speech will suffer.
Excessive biting may result in a lisp or whistling. An overbite occurs when your top teeth bite too far front of your lower teeth, crossing them by a significant amount. If you lisp or whistle, it might be due to gaps between your teeth. This allows air to escape when talking and prevents your tongue from resting in the correct position. Orthodontics allows you to narrow the gaps between your teeth and correct an overbite.
Mixing words
Your tongue must be allowed to move freely so that you may pronounce words properly. This also allows you to customise how quickly you speak. If your teeth are not properly aligned, your tongue may be unable to move freely, resulting in slurred speech or even stuttering. This difficulty might also be caused by the structure of your jaw. Braces are often used to straighten teeth and provide space for the tongue.
Saying the wrong words
When your teeth aren’t in the proper position, it might be difficult or almost impossible to speak some words. Some sounds, such as “s,” “t,” “z,” or “ch,” need your tongue to contact your teeth. If your teeth are not properly aligned, it will be difficult to pronounce these sounds correctly. Strong sounds, such as those in the words “ship” or “page,” may also be difficult to pronounce. To create the appropriate sounds, the stream of air flowing from the mouth must be aligned with the front teeth. If your front teeth do not touch correctly, it will be more difficult to produce these harsh noises. Orthodontic therapy allows teeth to be meticulously straightened, making it simpler to speak correctly.
Exploring potential treatment alternatives
If you are interested in braces or believe your kid may have speech issues as a result of their tooth alignment, schedule an appointment with Dr. Ryan for a thorough assessment. After examining your teeth and cheeks, she will be able to advise you on the best treatment option for you. Because your teeth and jaws are unique, each treatment is tailored to your specific requirements. Early interceptive braces could be beneficial for young children.
Early assessments of orthodontic requirements for children.
Children may visit an orthodontist as young as six or seven years old. Even though it is uncommon for children this age to get dental treatment, a checkup may help identify issues before they occur. Dr. Ryan will be attentively monitoring your child’s teeth and jaw growth, so he can recommend the best therapy to help their bite develop correctly. If your child’s upper jaw is tiny, their teeth are in a crossbite, or they are experiencing development issues due to thumb or finger sucking, seeking therapy as soon as possible may be very beneficial. Orthodontic devices may assist direct the development of their jaws, reducing treatment time in their teens and preventing adult teeth from having to be extracted.
Adults Can Receive Orthodontic Care.
Some individuals did not get to wear braces as children, and their teeth may have migrated as they grew older. If your speech isn’t clear because your teeth have shifted or you’ve lost a tooth, Dr. Ryan may collaborate with your normal dentist to realign your teeth before you have corrective dental treatment. This may assist ensure that if you need dental implants or a dental bridge, you have the best possible outcomes.
Contact Evergreen Dental right now to schedule an appointment with our expert orthodontist.
