Congratulations on your new Invisalign aligners! The great news is that most patients find these discreet, effective trays much more comfortable and easier to adjust to than traditional braces. But despite these amazing perks, you may still experience a bit of an adjustment period when your treatment begins. Here’s why wearing aligners may affect your speech, and what you can do to correct it.
Why Does Invisalign Affect My Speech?
When you first begin wearing Invisalign trays, you may notice that certain words are difficult to say properly, or that you have a slight lisp when you speak, especially when attempting to pronounce S’s, D’s, and C’s. This is due to the addition of the aligners on your teeth, and your mouth’s “muscle memory” having to account for them being in the way. The good news is that with time, your mouth will adjust to them, and any changes in your speech should go away on their own. However, there are a few things that you can try to speed up the process while you wait.
Speaking Clearly with Invisalign
Although your speech should return to normal within a few weeks, there are a few time-honored tricks you can try to help get your mouth adjusted faster:
- Read Aloud: this is an excellent way to get more speaking time, so your mouth becomes used to talking with aligners in. It also doesn’t require an audience, so you can still do it if you’re alone or if you’re embarrassed about speaking in front of another person.
- Make a Recording: While it may be weird to hear your voice playing back, recording yourself talking can help you identify any words or sounds that you’re struggling to pronounce clearly with your aligners on.
- Speak Slowly: Slowing down can help eliminate errors and allow you to better enunciate your words so you’re not as likely to slur your speech or mispronounce certain sounds.
- Stand Up Straight: Good posture allows the air to flow properly through the larynx, enabling you to speak and breathe properly with your aligners on.
Remember, while you may have some initial struggles with speech enunciation and clarity when you first begin wearing Invisalign aligners, the good news is that these issues are usually temporary and should clear up within the first few weeks of use. To speed up the process, you can try the above tips, and don’t give up! Be sure to keep your trays on for the mandatory 22 hours a day, as the more you wear them, the easier it will be to get used to them.
About Our Practice
At Westbury Dental Spa, our trio of talented dentists are proud to offer smile improving solutions like Invisalign, which can straighten your teeth in as little as 18 months! To learn more about this treatment and to see if it’s right for you, schedule a consultation for Invisalign today by visiting our website or calling 516-282-5100.