Anyone who’s ever tried to talk with their mouth full of food can tell you that it’s not easy. If you’re about to begin Invisalign treatment to straighten your teeth, you may be wondering if that’s how it will feel. After all, it makes sense that if your mouth is full of plastic, you won’t be able to talk correctly. But does Invisalign actually affect your speech?
If you want to learn more about Invisalign, and how it may affect your mouth as you begin your Invisalign journey, continue reading.
Will Invisalign Change the Way I Talk?
Invisalign aligners are designed to shift your teeth discreetly and gradually into their desired positions. While they can stay hidden from the eyes in social situations, they may not be as easy to hide when you speak. Some patients may experience temporary changes in their speech patterns as they adjust to wearing the aligners.
How Will My Speech Be Affected?
While every patient is different, there are some common ways that Invisalign has been reported to affect tongue and lip placement. This can lead to:
Lisp or Pronunciation Adjustments
In the initial days of wearing Invisalign, some patients may notice a slight lisp or changes in pronunciation. This is often a result of the aligners coming into contact with the tongue and affecting airflow through the teeth.
Sloshing Sibilant Sounds
Certain sounds like “s” or “sh” may be affected as the tongue adjusts to the presence of the aligners. This is a common occurrence and typically resolves as your tongue becomes accustomed to having the aligner against your pearly whites.
How Can I Reduce the Effects of Invisalign on My Speech?
Once you begin your treatment, you may not feel your ability to talk being affected. If you do, here are some ways you can reduce the effects it may have on your ability to socialize and speak:
Practice Regularly
Practice speaking and reading aloud in front of a mirror. This can help you identify specific sounds or words that may be challenging and help you work through them.
Record Yourself
How you sound in your head and how you sound to everyone else are always different. Record yourself reading a page from a book and then play it back. You’ll be able to notice imperfections in your speech patterns a lot easier.
Be Patient
Speech changes with Invisalign are typically temporary. As your tongue and mouth adapt to the aligners, your ability to talk will likely return to normal. Just like riding a bike or learning to whistle, talking with your aligners is a skill that takes a bit of time. Go easy on yourself as you learn.
While Invisalign may cause minor speech impediments when you begin the treatment, you must stick with it. Remind yourself that even if you may be frustrated at the beginning, the benefits of Invisalign will be well worth it. At the end of the treatment, you’ll have a straighter, more functional smile and boosted confidence. That will be well worth a few misplaced syllables.
About the Author
Dr. Rob Madry is an experienced and compassionate dentist who has been practicing for over 20 years. His favorite part of the job is seeing his customers and catching up while providing quality dental care. Dr. Madry earned his dental doctorate from the Baylor College of Dentistry, and has since then increased his skills to include laser dentistry, Invisalign, and other advanced treatments using ultramodern dental technology. Call (361) 991-7622 to schedule an Invisalign consultation at Rob Madry, DDS, or visit the website to discover other explore other services.