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Talking With Braces

When you initially acquire your new braces or orthodontic aligners, you may notice that you have some difficulty communicating due to the fact that your teeth are gradually moving. Here are some helpful hints from our Grande Prairie team on how to deal with these difficulties.

The first thing you should keep in mind if you are struggling to talk properly with your new braces is that there is no need to feel embarrassed about this!

After their braces are first put on, the majority of people have some difficulties communicating verbally. It's very natural, and with a little perseverance, you'll be able to get over it fairly soon.

The following suggestions should assist you in returning to normal speech in a short period of time:

Remember that this is only temporary

To begin, you will most likely experience strange sensations as a result of your orthodontic equipment, making it difficult for your tongue and other oral and facial structures to move as naturally as you are used to when speaking. They will, however, eventually adapt. It's just a matter of time.

Learn about basic speech functions

It should be worthwhile to devote some time to get more familiar with your speech functions.

In addition to being fascinating to comprehend how practically every aspect of your body affects your ability to communicate, this knowledge will give you some useful tools to help you resume speaking in your natural manner.

Invest in some orthodontic wax

Orthodontic wax should act as a barrier between your braces and the inside of your cheeks, preventing them from rubbing together. This aids in the prevention of friction and can also make it easier to talk more comfortably. It might also help to reduce some of the pain of the braces rubbing against your cheeks.

Practice

One of the most important steps you can take to get used to speaking with braces is to practice. To improve your communication skills, try singing, speaking, or reading aloud to yourself, or even doing speech exercises (you can find some free ones online).

It may be helpful to perform this exercise in front of a mirror or even on video to help you identify trouble spots and sticking points faster. Another option is to record yourself in order to identify potential trouble spots.

Slow down a little bit

You can slow down your speech and focus on your enunciation and pronunciation by getting braces put on your teeth. This should enable your mouth to adjust to the braces in the short term, and over time, it should improve your ability to speak in front of groups of people.

Stand up straight

Standing up straight and tall, shoulders relaxed and back, and chin up are all factors that contribute to the mechanics of speech. Proper posture positions the diaphragm and larynx so that you can speak with your natural rhythms and best pitch. Taking deep breaths in through your nose until you feel your stomach extending all the way out is also a great way to relieve stress!

If you still have concerns about speaking with braces, contact our Grande Prairie orthodontists for a consultation.

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