Clear aligners are low-profile and discreet, but you’ll still likely notice some differences in the way you speak with them in your mouth. Although this can be jarring at first, you don’t have anything to worry about! With a few helpful tips and encouragement from your dentist in Irving, you’ll be able to breeze through your treatment and overcome any barriers you encounter, like developing a slight lisp. Read on to learn what speech problems you may notice when you first begin using your Invisalign aligners and how you can combat them.
Do Invisalign Aligners Cause Speech Problems?
One of the inconvenient effects of wearing Invisalign aligners for the first time is that they’re foreign objects in your mouth and can take some getting used to. Your tongue can no longer press against the inside of your arch of teeth to make “S” sounds the way it used to, and “th” sounds may be more difficult to create. The good news is that it won’t feel that way forever! After a couple of short weeks with your clear aligners, you’ll likely notice your newly developed lisp begin to fade.
Tips to Get Used to Speaking with Invisalign Aligners
Practice makes perfect! The only way to overcome these hiccups during your adjustment period is to keep trying to pronounce difficult words, like those that contain “S,” “th,” “C,” and “D.” Here are some additional tips to practice creating certain sounds with your aligners in your mouth:
Read Aloud
Try flipping to the “S” section of the dictionary and pronouncing the words. Or, if you’d prefer a more natural approach, you can read your favorite book aloud. Extra points for books with dialogue that mimics natural conversation!
Record Yourself Speaking
A great way to tell which sounds you have difficulty creating with your aligners in your mouth is to record yourself speaking or reading from a dictionary. This can allow you to correct the issues you notice by creating more tailored practice for yourself!
Take It Slow
Remember to speak slowly and try to pronounce every sound of the words that you’re reading out loud. Although it may be tempting to breeze through these practice sessions, speaking quickly won’t help you correct the problem!
Check Your Posture
This is a key that many people don’t consider! Standing up straight while you’re talking will allow for proper airflow through your larynx, or your voice box, which you may find makes it easier to make certain sounds with your mouth!
After a couple of weeks of practice, you’ll notice that this short adjustment period was a piece of cake to overcome, helping boost your confidence and put you in a great headspace to move through the rest of your treatment!
About the Author
Dr. Rafiq Hirji has over a decade of experience practicing dentistry, as well as advanced training in orthodontic treatments like Invisalign clear aligners. Over his years of serving families in Irving, he has helped hundreds of patients achieve straighter and healthier smiles with this modern and discreet alternative to metal braces. To learn whether you’re a good candidate for Invisalign treatment, visit Daily Smiles MacArthur Dental & Orthodontics’ website or call 972-546-4114.