Dentures are the tried-and-true method for rebuilding your grin after tooth loss because of their numerous benefits. With your new teeth in place, you can smile confidently, eat a wider variety of foods, and enunciate words more clearly.
However, many patients are surprised to learn that it often takes about a month for their mouth to acclimate to the presence of their prosthetics. During this time, it’s common to develop some changes in your speech patterns. If you’re worried that you’ll be left with a lisp for the remainder of your life, continue reading to learn why you can set your concerns aside!
Why Must I Relearn How to Talk with Dentures?
Although your dentures are customized at every step of their creation to look and function as much like your natural teeth as possible, they aren’t as strong or stable as the real deal. They rely on a firm bond against your connective tissues to remain in place all day. When they’re new, your gums, tongue, and the other supporting muscles in your mouth haven’t yet acclimated to their size, shape, and width.
Because you press your tongue against your teeth in very specific ways to pronounce different sounds, it’s normal to develop temporary issues speaking until your mouth is more accustomed to supporting your restoration.
How Might My Dentures Impact My Speech?
Your experience learning to talk with your prosthetics in place won’t be the exact same as someone else’s because it depends on your unique situation. However, there are some common challenges that people who get dentures tend to bump into, such as:
- A lisp. You might have a lisp when you try to form “s”, “f”, or “th” sounds.
- Slurred speech. Many people accidentally slur certain words until they figure out how to enunciate different consonants and vowels more clearly.
- Clicking. Unlike your natural teeth, there are no nerves in your restoration to indicate when you’re biting down too hard. It’s easy to close your mouth with too much force when they’re new.
How Can I Overcome Changes to My Speech with Dentures?
It’s easy to feel overwhelmed and frustrated when you realize you must relearn a task that was once second nature, but remember to give yourself some grace. In most cases, time and practice are all that’s needed to turn things around.
For instance, the average time it takes most people to be able to eat and speak normally with their dentures ranges from 15 to 30 days. You can enjoy an easier transition by taking proactive steps to rehearse different words and sounds at home, where you feel safe and comfortable. Try reading some of your favorite book slowly out loud or repeat problematic words until they come more easily.
If you’re still struggling after a month, call your dentist so they can ensure that your dentures fit correctly!
About the Practice
Patients at Jacksonville Dental Excellence benefit from a husband-and-wife dental duo who are dedicated to helping you improve your grin. Drs. Ryan and Rose Johnson work together to offer a full array of services to meet all your needs conveniently under one roof. They both earned their dental doctorate from the University of Colorado and are dedicated to ongoing education so you always receive the most up-to-date treatments. Then, they utilize state-of-the-art equipment to improve patient comfort while delivering accurate results intended to last. If you need dentures, you can request an appointment on the website or call (904) 895-4536.