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Do Braces Affect Speech?

Love Yourself, Love Your Smile

do-braces-affect-speech
  • Dr. Monica Madan
  • March 16, 2023

Orthodontists worldwide use braces to treat all sorts of alignment problems. From overbites and underbites to crossbites and other malocclusions (the medical term for “bad bites”), all can be corrected with treatments using braces, lasting from a few months to a couple of years.

Although Invisalign and other clear aligner treatments have steadily risen in popularity over the past two decades, braces are still one of the best, most adaptable orthodontic treatments available today. Almost all healthy adults and children/teenagers with malocclusions can benefit from wearing braces, and the treatment is versatile enough to treat even the most complicated alignment problems.

In addition to such wide-ranging capabilities, recent material advancements have improved the look and feel of braces as well. Smaller, more attractive, and more comfortable than braces from years past, many patients today still choose braces over Invisalign for their minimal upkeep requirements and responsibilities.

If you have been considering orthodontic treatment for yourself or your child, you probably have questions about how braces impact a patient’s daily life. For example, one of the most common questions we hear here at Beverly Hills Orthodontics is, “Do braces affect speech?”

In this blog, we explore how braces can impact speech patterns, both during treatment and after. If you have any additional questions about orthodontic treatment, contact one of our offices in Beverly Hills, Studio City, Alhambra, or Downtown LA to find the answers.

Do Braces Affect Speech? Rarely

We can begin by reassuring you that braces will not negatively impact your speech during treatment. However, some patients report minor changes to speech when their braces are first attached.

The most commonly reported speech effects are minor lisping and struggling with certain sounds. In both cases, the solution is simple: practice speaking.

At the same time, orthodontic treatment can change the sound of your “head voice” (i.e., the sound you hear when you speak) without necessarily affecting how your voice sounds to others.

If you are at the beginning of treatment and feel that your voice has been affected by your braces, we have some suggestions:

  1. Record yourself speaking.
  2. Listen to the recording playback.
  3. Try to pinpoint which sounds you are struggling with.
  4. Repeat speaking any words aloud that contain the problem sound(s) to improve your articulation.
  5. Periodically re-record yourself and listen for progress. Repeat this process until you have eliminated the speech issue.

Almost all patients quickly adapt to their braces and overcome their speech issues within a few days. If your speech problems persist, there could be an issue with the braces themselves. Your orthodontist may have fitted them incorrectly or used improper wires. To avoid fitting issues, you should always seek orthodontic treatment from a trusted, licensed orthodontist.

Properly performed orthodontic treatment will not disrupt your speaking ability. In fact, braces can actually improve your speech, as well as other oral functions.

How Braces Improve Speech and Other Oral Functions

Moderate-to-severe malocclusions can negatively impact oral functions, including speech. That’s because the physical production of human speech is a complicated process in which multiple body parts must work in harmony.

In simple terms, your lungs produce air to create noise, your larynx manipulates the air via vocal cords to form the intended sound, and body parts in the mouth and nose (the tongue, soft palate, and sinus cavities) articulate the sound to form specific words. When these body parts can’t work together to form those intended words, it results in a speech impediment.

Speech impediments are complicated issues that are caused by multiple factors, including genetics, brain function, and motor control. Braces will not improve speech impaired by mental or motor functions. However, braces can improve speech clarity and reduce lisping levels influenced by improper jaw and tooth alignment.

The chart below provides details on how correcting specific bite problems can improve speech:

Bite Issue Orthodontic Treatment Benefit
Irregular Incisors  Clearer pronunciation of “t” “d” and “s” sounds
Irregular Upper Anterior Teeth Clearer pronunciation of  “p” ”b” and “m” sounds
Open Bite Lower lisping levels and clearer pronunciation of  “s” “z” “t” ”d” ”n”  and ”l” sounds
Diastema (i.e., Tooth Gaps) Lower lisping levels
Cleft Palate Overall clearer speech and better pronunciation

By correcting jaw and tooth alignment, braces improve other oral functions as well, including biting and chewing. Proper alignment also makes oral care easier and more effective, leading to numerous health benefits.

So, to finally answer the question, “Do braces affect speech?”—Yes, but only in a positive way!

Have More Treatment Questions?
Call Beverly Hills Orthodontics Today

If you are considering orthodontic treatment but are concerned that braces may change your voice, we have good news: braces will not negatively impact your speech.

Although you may think you sound a bit funny at the beginning of treatment, patients quickly adjust to their braces and learn to speak clearly within a day or two. Moreover, braces have been shown to improve mechanical speech problems, so you may sound even better once treatment is complete!

At Beverly Hills Orthodontics, we create a safe and welcoming environment for all our patients. No matter what questions or concerns are making you anxious, our team is here to give you answers and put your mind at ease. BHO’s founder, Dr. Monica Madan, graduated from the #1-ranked orthodontic program in the country and uses her expertise to craft holistic treatment programs that put patient comfort and lifestyle preferences above all else. Schedule a consultation today to learn how BHO can improve your smile!

NOTE: All blog content is intended to supplement—NOT REPLACE—the expertise of a healthcare professional and should not be construed in any way as medical advice. Consult a professional orthodontist directly, like the ones at BHO, to assess your individual needs and advise the best course of treatment.

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We are thankful for the opportunity to serve our communities with the highest quality care. Check out what our patients are saying about their 5-star experience with us!

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Before finding BHO, I had consultations both telling me traditional braces were my only option. I knew my case would be a bit challenging but as an adult, metal braces weren't going to work... for me, aesthetically speaking. I'm so glad I followed my instincts and gave BHO a shot! From the moment I walked in, I knew this was the place. Modern amenities with a super friendly staff explaining everything along the way - what a great first impression! I just started my treatment and can't wait to see my results! Dr. Madan and her team are legit! Don't hesitate to get the smile your deserve!read more
Nydia J.
Our entire experience with the staff and services at Beverly Hills Orthodontics has been fantastic. Their knowledge, advice and care has been exceptional and I have no hesitation in... recommending them to anyone looking for first class orthodontic care. Special shout outs to Dr Madan and Gabriel for their above and beyond care❤️read more
Juliet P.
What a wonderful experience. Dr. Madan and the entire staff are professional, kind, and very understanding. So far they have made the experience of Invisalign extremely easy. I just wish I... had gone there sooner!read more
Claire P.
I recently relocated to Los Angeles and not long after being here needed to have some repair dental work done and did not know where to turn. I was given a referral to Dr. Madan and could... not be happier. I was able to receive an appointment really quickly and was advised of an immediate plan of action to get my corrective work going. Dr. Madan is extremely knowledgeable about her craft and to top it off, she has a great temperament that instantly put me at ease and made me feel like she genuinely cared. Her Beverly Hills office is vibrant, with really friendly & pleasant staff, who make you feel comfortable and bring all the right vibes! No question I would recommend Beverly Hills Orthodontics to anyone looking to have work done on their teeth and perfect their smile.read more
Dionnee H.
Dr. Madan and her team at BHO are truly amazing. She has treated myself and my daughter and we both now have BEAUTIFUL smiles because of her. She is an expert at what she does and is... caring and attentive. I recommend this office to everyone all the time!!!!!! The best!!!read more
Mia C.
Tia literally invented the Invisalign game. Changing lives one smile at a time.
William S.
BHO is the only place where you'd want to get your braces done! Their staff is so friendly and knowledgeable. Their helpdesk staff always greet you with a smile on. Dr. Madan and her team... of technicians are always ready to answer all of your questions, address any concerns and get you on the road to obtaining the perfect Smile.read more
Bella M.
Amazing people and amazing results-Highly recommend
Ben S.
I’m impressed by the technology and professionalism of Beverly Hills Orthodontics. They are knowledgeable about my unique orthodontic needs and were able to provide recommendations on my... treatment as an adult patient. I’m very excited to begin my Invisalign journey!read more
Victoria G.
Best Orthodontics around! Dr. Madan and her amazing team are always on point, bringing both my kids beautiful smiles. Have been coming to the BH office for several years now and absolutely... love the results and customer service! Would (and have) highly recommended them!read more
J I.
We had a terrific experience with Dr. Madan. They always worked with our schedule and made us feel welcome and happy at each appointment.
Audrey K.
Great experience. Treatment was quick and easy for me and the staff was great to deal with and professional. I’m very happy with my new smile.
Steve V.
I usually don’t do many reviews but I had to for this office! I am myself a Pediatric Dentist and I researched for the best office for my daughter. She just finished her Invisalign ... treatment at Beverly Hills Orthodontics and we are so happy with her smile! I have been practicing Dentistry for over 20 years and I am so impressed with the team here. From the front desk to the Doctors and their assistants, everyone has made our experience so wonderful! As a Dentist, I would recommend BHO for anyone wanting to improve their smile😊read more
Nina G
BHO is awesome and Dr. Monica Madan and their team are so friendly, welcoming, and knowledgeable. I started with some aesthetic improvements for my wedding photos and was very impressed... with the initial results. However, I had a major cross-bite that would typically require surgery to correct, which wasn’t appealing. After consultation with Monica she thought it would be possible to correct with Invisalign so we decided to proceed for the long haul. While it’s been a long time, the results have been outstanding. I wasn’t sure I would be able to be B withstand that long of the treatment and achieve these results but after seeing the progress it’s been very encouraging and motivating to stick with it. I’m likely on my last refinement and the before and after is remarkable and transformative. Their office is always bright, clean, and has a lively vibe going on. Always feel good being there and better when I leave. Couldn’t recommend them more highly enough. Monica has done a great job building this out and creating a great team and experience.read more
Matt W.
Beverly Hills Orthodontics has been a wonderful experience. The team are extremely professional and experienced. I completed my Invisalign treatment today and had enameloplasty and zoom... whitening to complete the treatment. I’m so happy with the results. Dr. Madan, Gabriel, and the rest of the team listened to my concerns, set up several check-up appointments with me to follow my progress, and provided me with refinements when my teeth were being stubborn. The office is also a great atmosphere with current music playing, friendly staff, and amazing views of Los Angeles from the dentist chair! I would highly recommend this orthodontic practice. Thank you, everyone!read more
Sophie D.
Great overall service staff was very helpful with explaining process. Would highly recommend as it was a smooth process with no surprises along the way.Would like to highlight the... multiple locations which make it easy for scheduling appointments dependent on where you live or what part of LA you will be in that day.read more
Sean M.
My son and daughter have been coming here for years! Absolutely love them.
Tarja C.
I started my Invisalign treatments here and the staff was really friendly and patient with all my concerns and questions. Love it!
Jana M.
Super great experience! Came in for my consultation around the beginning of the year with a plan in mind to have my teeth straight before graduation through Invisalign and the BHO team... completely surpassed my expectations. My USC graduation is in 2 weeks, I just got my brackets off and smile is looking awesome. Annabel and Gabriel were so welcoming, friendly, and made the experience that much better. Dr. Madan was awesome she was always around and extremely hands on, great personality! Definitely come here if you’re looking for an orthodontist!! 10/10! :)read more
Eva P.
Really great experience so far, especially compared to other ortho places where I've had treatment before. For example, my partner went to another place and doesn't hear from them for... months at a time, whereas this place uses an app to keep in touch every week.They were running a special when I signed up which took nearly $1,000 off invisalign - super helpful considering the price!!! I don't think it runs all the time so you might want to ask them - but they combined it with my dental insurance so the cost came out really affordable... less than $100/month for 12 months.Even when I needed tooth filing, attachments, and refinements across multiple visits, they were super kind and flexible to meet my very very hectic schedule definitely recommend going here!read more
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