Talking With Braces

Posted in Orthodontics

When you initially acquire your new braces or orthodontic aligners, you may notice that you have some difficulty communicating due to the fact that your teeth are gradually moving. Here are some helpful hints from our Montreal team on how to deal with these difficulties.

The first thing you should keep in mind if you are struggling to talk properly with your new braces is that there is no need to feel embarrassed about this!

After their braces are first put on, the majority of people have some difficulties communicating verbally. It's very natural, and with a little perseverance, you'll be able to get over it fairly soon.

The following suggestions should assist you in returning to normal speech in a short period of time:

Remember that this is only temporary

Your orthodontic appliances will probably initially cause you to feel strange, which will make it challenging for your tongue and other oral and facial structures to move as naturally as they usually do when you speak. They will, however, eventually adapt. It's just a matter of time.

Learn about basic speech functions

It should be worthwhile to devote some time to get more familiar with your speech functions.

It's fascinating to learn how practically every part of your body contributes to your ability to communicate, but it'll also give you some useful tools to help you get back to speaking the way you're used to.

Invest in some orthodontic wax

Orthodontic wax should act as a barrier between your braces and the inside of your cheeks, preventing them from rubbing together. This aids in the prevention of friction and can also make it easier to talk more comfortably. It might also help to reduce some of the pain of the braces rubbing against your cheeks.

Practice

One of the most important steps you can take to get accustomed to doing so is to practice speaking while wearing braces. To enhance your communication abilities, you can try singing, speaking, reading aloud, or even speech exercises (you can find some free ones online).

It might be helpful to carry out this exercise in front of a mirror or even a camera so that you can more easily spot your problem areas and sticking points. A different choice is to record yourself so you can spot some problem areas.

Slow down a little bit

Braces can help you slow down your speech and focus on your pronunciation and enunciation. This should allow your mouth to adjust to the braces in the short term, and it should help you become a more effective public speaker in all situations in the long run.

Stand up straight

Standing tall and straight, keeping your shoulders back and relaxed, and keeping your chin up are all aspects of good speech mechanics. A good posture places your diaphragm and larynx so that you can speak with your best pitch and natural rhythms. Another effective way to reduce anxiety is to take long, deep breaths through your nose until you can feel your stomach expanding all the way out.

If you still have concerns about speaking with braces, contact our Montreal orthodontists for a consultation.

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