Dentures are removable replacements for missing teeth and surrounding tissues. While they restore appearance and function, new dentures often cause anxiety regarding speech. Articulation relies on precise coordination of the tongue, lips, and teeth, which is temporarily disrupted by the presence of a foreign object in the mouth. Adapting speech requires the mouth and brain to establish new muscle memory for communication.
How Dentures Initially Impact Speech
New dentures interfere with clear speech due to physical and mechanical changes within the mouth. The most significant alteration involves the change in the oral cavity’s size and shape, particularly with an upper denture that covers the palate. This new bulk restricts the tongue’s natural movement, forcing it to relearn how to position itself and interact with the prosthetic material. This restriction can result in temporary slurred or garbled speech.
Additionally, the body may perceive the dentures as a foreign object, leading to an increase in saliva production that affects clarity. Airflow is also altered by the new structure. The seal between the denture and the roof of the mouth can change how air moves, sometimes leading to unintended whistling or hissing sounds. If the dentures are ill-fitting or loose, they can shift slightly during speech, causing a clicking noise.
The Expected Timeline for Talking Normally
The process of achieving clear, normal speech with new dentures follows a predictable, phased timeline, though individual adaptation varies.
First Few Days
In the first few days, speech is expected to feel awkward and unnatural. It is common to experience a slight lisp or temporary slurring as the tongue struggles to find its new positions. Many people find reading aloud difficult during this phase, which is a normal neurological response as the brain attempts to coordinate the jaw, tongue, and lips around the new prosthetic.
One to Four Weeks
This period marks significant improvement. The mouth begins to adapt, and most basic sounds normalize as initial soreness and excessive salivation lessen. The wearer can engage in daily conversations with greater ease.
One to Two Months
By the second month, most wearers report that their speech feels largely natural and comfortable. Muscle memory is established, and the tongue and mouth muscles have been retrained to function effectively with the dentures. If speech difficulties persist beyond a month, it may indicate a need for a denture adjustment.
Specific Sounds That Require Practice
Certain sounds, known as phonemes, are consistently more challenging for new denture wearers because they require precise interactions between the tongue, teeth, and palate.
- Sibilants (“S” and “Z”): These sounds rely on the tongue creating a narrow channel to direct airflow toward the front teeth. Alteration in this space by the denture can result in a lisp or a whistling sound.
- Fricatives (“F” and “V”): These labiodental sounds require the lower lip to make gentle contact with the upper front teeth. If the dentures are not sized correctly, the precise timing and contact needed can be altered, making them sound muffled.
- Linguodentals (“TH”): These demand specific tongue placement, requiring the tongue to lightly touch the back of the front teeth or protrude slightly between them. Dentures can interfere with this positioning, causing words to sound distorted.
Other consonants like “T,” “D,” and “Sh” can also be temporarily affected because they require the tongue to make contact with the roof of the mouth or the back of the teeth.
Practical Exercises for Speech Improvement
Actively engaging in exercises is the most effective way to accelerate the adaptation process and build new muscle memory.
- Reading aloud daily helps the mouth practice forming words in a controlled environment. Start with simple texts and gradually move to more complex material.
- Practice difficult words and tongue twisters that target specific problem sounds to build articulation strength.
- Speaking slowly and deliberately allows the muscles to relax and learn the new movements without rushing.
- Singing encourages the opening of the mouth and improves breath control, which is integral to clear articulation.
- Practicing in front of a mirror provides visual feedback, allowing the wearer to observe the movements of their lips and jaw and make necessary adjustments.
Engaging in regular conversation and using the dentures as much as possible reinforces the new muscle pathways, making speech feel more natural over time.