One of the difficulties many of Dr. Kanani's patients face when they first get their braces put on is trouble talking. Here are some tips to help you get used to talking while wearing braces!
First things first: there’s no need to feel embarrassed if you struggle with speaking when your braces are first applied. This happens to practically everyone, and it doesn't last very long. You just need to get used to things!
With a little patience, and by following some of these steps, you’ll be back to speaking as you always do in no time.
1. Remember: it's temporary!
Your braces or invisible aligners may feel awkward and uncomfortable at first, and make it difficult for your tongue and facial muscles to move as they normally would when you speak. But your oral structures will very quickly adjust to these new feelings.
2. Learn about speech functions
Learning a little about how your whole body contributes to your ability to speak is very enlightening, and it gives you the tools you need to get back to speaking normally, faster.
3. Use Wax
Using dental wax on your brackets provides a smoother surface, and more glide, making it easier for you to speak around your orthodontic appliances.
4. Consider lingual or self-ligating braces
Dr. Kanani's patients who choose one of these lower profile braces options tend to have a little less trouble talking at the start of treatment.
5. Practice makes perfect!
The best thing you can do to start regaining your normal speaking abilities is to practice talking and just using your mouth as much as possible. Some good ways to do this include:
- speech drills
- singing
- speaking or reading aloud
It can also help to record yourself speaking, and listen back to the recording to catch your trouble areas. And if you’re really having a hard time, practice speaking slowly and really enunciating each word carefully.
