Adjusting to new dentures can be challenging, particularly when it comes to speaking clearly. The restored shape of your smile means you’ll have to get used to the position of your teeth and how best to move your mouth. Fortunately, there are tips you can follow that will help you learn how to talk with your new dentures!
Practice, Practice, Practice!
The best thing you can do to grow accustomed to speaking with your dentures is to practice. The more you talk while wearing them, the easier it will be to learn how to move your mouth and position your tongue. It’s sort of like having braces or wearing a mouthguard – eventually, you’ll figure out how to talk around your dentures without lisping.
Talk Slow
It’s perfectly okay to take things slow, even if that includes your speech. A patient, more even pace will help you get a feel for how your dentures sit in your mouth much better than trying to rush through your words. Plus, it can help you feel more confident and less awkward when talking to other people, as you’ll have more control over your enunciation.
Read Out Loud
Reading out loud is a great way to practice talking with new dentures. You don’t even have to read to an audience! You can direct your words to your pet, a rubber duck, or thin air if you’d prefer. What matters is that reading out loud gives you a way to practice privately without having to think of what you’re going to say on the spot.
Take a Recording
When you’re already focused on your mouth movements, it can be difficult to register how you actually sounded while you were speaking. Recording your voice solves this problem, as you’ll be able to listen to yourself later and hear your progress.
Learning to talk with new dentures can be tricky, but it’s certainly not impossible! Follow these tips, and in time, you’ll sound perfectly natural.
About the Author
Dr. Thomas A. Gromling has over 40 years of experience in dentistry, and has completed many advanced training courses through prestigious professional organizations. He’s a proud Fellow of the Academy of General Dentistry, as well as the International College of Dentists. Rest assured, Dr. Gromling is well-qualified to help you adjust to your new dentures! To contact his office for an appointment, call (540) 508–8405.