If you are tired of having misaligned teeth, then an orthodontic treatment can help. Many people turn to Invisalign clear aligners because they are discreet, and you don’t have to worry about breaking any wires or brackets. There is one challenge that tends to catch people off guard, which is how they affect your speech. The good news is that it’s not a dramatic change, but you may notice that you can’t say certain letters as clearly initially. Continue reading to learn why this is the case and how you can resolve it.
Why Does Invisalign Affect My Speech?
When you first start treatment, you may immediately notice how your mouth feels different. The trays are taking up some space that you are used to being open, so you may find your tongue tripping over them. In most cases, they cause a slight lisp, but it’s normal for it to happen. Thankfully, it’s only temporary, although it may feel awkward at first.
Your tongue will sometimes bump into the Invisalign trays and alter your pronunciation of certain letters. It’s common for people to pronounce their “s” and “z” sounds as “th” sounds.
That being said, the clear aligners are made of a thin, durable plastic. That means that they fit more comfortably in your mouth without taking up much room. Your body will naturally take a couple of weeks to get fully adjusted to talking with them. There are some tips you can follow to help speed up the process!
How Can I Speak More Clearly with Invisalign?
The best way to get used to your Invisalign trays is to keep them in for 22 hours a day! You will need to do this anyway to keep your treatment effective, but you’ll get used to them quicker the more you wear them!
When you have some free time, you can even practice by reading aloud and recording yourself as you are doing this. This will let you hear how you sound and find words that you stumble over. You can then take a second to properly pronounce the word and get used to saying it with your clear aligners.
One of the best things you can do is to give yourself grace! Dealing with altered speech can be frustrating, but take a breath when you find yourself getting worked up. You should be excited about the results of your teeth straightening journey. Remember that this is only a temporary phase and you’ll be speaking and smiling confidently sooner than you may think!
About the Author
Dr. Zahara Munis is proud to help her patients in the Austin community get the straighter teeth they want. With Invisalign, you can enjoy a convenient treatment that is streamlined and comfortable for you. To learn more about how you can get adjusted to your clear aligners or fixed misaligned teeth, schedule an appointment or call us at (512) 371-7239.