Talkative Tips: Learning How to Speak with Dentures

Dentures are the tried-and-true solution for rebuilding after tooth loss because of their versatility. Whether you’ve lost some or all of your natural teeth, these restorations can simultaneously improve your smile’s appearance and functionality.

However, some patients worry that their new teeth could prevent them from speaking normally. Continue reading to learn more about whether dentures impact speech patterns and a few tips that might help you communicate more clearly with them in place!

How Long Does It Take To Adjust to Dentures?

This treatment has a long history of successfully restoring smiles after teeth go missing, but it often takes patients about a month to acclimate to the dimensions and presence of their prosthetics. They’re designed to look and feel as lifelike as possible, but it can take your tongue and the other tender tissues in your mouth some time to adjust completely.

During this time, some people develop temporary side effects, such as sores on the gums or changes in their ability to talk normally, that may persist until they become more desensitized.

How Might Dentures Affect My Speech Patterns?

Unless you’re getting implant dentures, which are anchored to support rods that are surgically embedded in your jawbone, your restoration relies on a tight suction against your connective tissues to stay put all day. Many new patients find that it can be challenging, at first, to hold them in place firmly while forming the different sounds required to speak clearly.

As a result, you might notice that you struggle to enunciate certain sounds, such as “s”, “th”, or “sh”. You might also hear a clicking noise as your mouth tries to “kick” your dentures out, or develop a temporary slur when talking too quickly. Fortunately, these effects are usually temporary and can often be overcome with enough time, patience, and practice.

What Are Some Tips for Talking with Dentures?

Are you wondering whether there’s anything you can do to speed up your mouth’s transition to wearing dentures regularly? Thankfully, there are several things you can try, such as:

• Read out loud. Reading to yourself out loud at home can help you identify any challenging sounds or words and allow you to practice your pronunciation in a comfortable setting where you’re less likely to be judged by others for any mistakes you might make.
• Record yourself. You can also record a video of yourself speaking or reading to more easily target any difficult phrases until you feel more confident in your enunciation.
• Apply adhesive. Using a denture glue, such as a cream, strengthens its bond in your mouth, making it less likely to slip out of place and providing an added layer of cushion that can help prevent slurring and enhance comfort.
• Count to 90. Counting from 60 to 90 allows you to rehearse a variety of potentially challenging sounds out loud.

If you experience changes to your speaking patterns that do not resolve after about a month, you may want to contact your dentist to ensure your new dentures fit and function as intended!

About the Practice

At West Hartford Dental Group, patients benefit from a team of providers eager to help them build and maintain happy, healthy smiles. Dr. Phadnis, Dr. Pucci, and Dr. Rodrigues collaborate to provide a comprehensive menu of services, including dentures, to meet all your unique needs under one roof. They use state-of-the-art technology to deliver comfortable, accurate treatment results meant to last. If you’re struggling to speak with your restoration or are concerned about the fit, you can request an appointment on the website or by calling (860) 236-4249.