Speaking with Dentures
Effective Tips on Speaking with Dentures
Often times people find that wearing dentures for the first time is a bizarre experience. One of the first things people notice is how tough it is to speak properly.
It is normal to feel a change in the size of your mouth or to feel like your dentures do not fit properly at first. You will adapt to the modification with time and they will start to feel more normal. Temporary swelling is normal and it can affect how your dentures sit on your gums making it more difficult to speak properly. This article provides a few tips on how you can gain confidence and improve your speaking with dentures.
Practice projecting your voice
This will help you identify your key pronunciation problems regarding certain words, letters or sounds. You should practice pronouncing some tongue twisters regularly and words that use different movements of your lips, tongue and mouth. Most new denture wearers are known to have difficulties pronouncing the letters ‘f’ and ‘s’ correctly so we recommend practicing them right off the bat.
Try to make a speech in front of a mirror
Try reading a book or an article in front of a mirror. Continuous training will help you master familiar sounds and words that you may not have otherwise tried saying. Remember to practice slowly, patiently, and in a relaxed mood. Try not to get frustrated if at first you don’t succeed, continuous practice is the only thing that will perfect your pronunciation skills.
Eat first then talk
Some times dentures may drift when you are speaking. It is important for you to chew and swallow food before talking. This will help to readjust the dentures back into their correct position and help prevent you from bitting your tongue or cheek.
Speak at your usual volume
Wearing dentures changes the sound of your voice. This is because sound reaches your ears through vibrations in the bones of the jaw and skull. It may seem odd to you at first, but you will adapt with time. It is important for you to avoid speaking in low tones and speak at your usual volume. It may seem like you are speaking loudly when in fact you aren’t.
Use a good denture adhesive
Denture adhesives like Super Poligrip and Fixodent prevent your dentures from slipping off your gums and moving around in your mouth. You should be able to find denture adhesive at your local grocery store. We recommend trying a few different brands until you find the one that suits your best.
If you have any questions or concerns about speaking with your new dentures please feel free to give us a call or stop by for a free consultation with our denture specialist.