The popularity of Invisalign has skyrocketed in the past years. They’ve emerged as the go-to option for people who want to straighten their teeth discreetly.
Sadly, since many past applicants have reported speech problems after braces, dental appliances are engulfed by several myths. Many people believe that Invisalign can affect your speech.
But does Invisalign affect speech?
Let’s find out as we understand more about dental appliances and how it affects your lifestyle. Continue reading as we learn the possibilities of a speech problem and how you could correctly adapt to it in a few days.
Can Invisalign Affect Your Speech?
Yes, much like any orthodontic or dental appliance in your mouth, it is hard to talk with Invisalign. The thin, clear plastic aligners responsible for shifting your teeth into place have a minor impact on your speech.
Beginners generally have a hard time adjusting to Invisalign. For the initial few days, you may notice these two major problems:
- A minor lisp – A lisp generally occurs when using aligners for the first time. You could stutter when trying to enunciate syllables containing the “sh,” “s,” or “z” sounds. This noise is made because your tongue is placed on the rear of your top front teeth.
- A slightly different speaking style – Once you’re a few days into the treatment, you might initially talk slowly and slur your words. Patients generally put more effort into speaking quickly and enunciating clearly. This is because your mouth isn’t used to aligners occupying the space.
Fortunately, any Invisalign-related problem is minor and requires a few days to fix. The more quickly your tongue adjusts to using Invisalign, the better your speech.
Tips To Overcome Speech Impediment
Orthodontists in Garland TX, suggest that talking is the key to recovering your speech impediment in no time! While the adjustment phase varies between applicants, you can speed up the process by following a few basic practices:
- Always work on your pronunciation and articulation of the words you find challenging.
- Read aloud a paragraph from your favorite book to yourself some (or others)
- Focus on conversing more frequently with friends and relatives.
Adjusting to Invisalign can be challenging! You could feel inclined to be quiet during this phase to avoid drawing attention to yourself. But the more you communicate, the faster you’ll be able to resolve the problem.
You can learn to adjust by following the tips mentioned in the selection above. Remember, Invisalign talking might seem challenging at first. But the more you talk, the higher your chances of recovery.
So now that we know the how and why, let’s look at some tips for a beginner Invisalign user.
Takeaway For Beginner Invisalign Users To Ensure Success
While Invisalign adjustment is a crucial factor to your speech impediment, some additional factors impact the speed of your speech recovery. Here’s an overview of the different factors that impact the success of your Invisalign treatment:
Change Trays On Time
As beginners, you’ll need to undergo an Invisalign change at regular intervals. After every two weeks or so, replacing your previous aligner with a new one allows your teeth to be aligned.
This time, your new set will give you an entirely different smile from the one you started with. Interestingly, it will continue to change at regular intervals to impact your smile.
Don’t Throw Away Your Old Aligners
While switching to new aligners, many applicants throw their old ones in the garbage. However, Garland dentists ask their patients to avoid doing so. Some patients lose their current aligners before getting their new trays.
Such situations pose a serious threat as they can hinder your treatment plan and impact your progress. Therefore, storing your last pair of aligners before and after getting your new ones is always wise.
Practice Good Oral Hygiene
This goes without saying that you need to maintain proper oral hygiene while you undergo Invisalign treatment. Using aligners puts you at risk of allowing germs and bacteria to accumulate inside your mouth. This is where your oral habits will go a long way in maintaining your overall health.
Once you start using Invisalign, focus on developing healthy oral habits that will contribute to your treatment. Focus on cleaning your teeth twice daily and flossing them at least once daily to maintain adequate oral health.
What If My Speech Impediment Hasn’t Gone Away?
Most patients suffer from Invisalign lisp during the adjustment period. While lisps are common, they can be a concern if they persist for a week. Such situations demand an expert opinion.
It would be best to consult your dentist or orthodontist if you’ve tried the tips, but your speech hasn’t improved. That can indicate that the mold isn’t fit or placed properly.
Let The Experts Renovate Your Smile!
Your speech and flawless smile have a lot to add to your life. At NTFC Dentistry, we understand the significance of a healthy smile like no other. Our experts have years of experience in Invisalign treatment. So rest assured that our expert dentists are here to re-engineer your smile.
