Talking with dentures is one of the major things most patients seem to worry about. They’re a convenient and effective way to give you back your full smile, but it can sometimes take a while to get accustomed to them. Luckily, your dentist in McMinnville suggests three simple tips that can make talking with your restorations much easier to accomplish!
Tip #1: Repeat Pronunciations & Elongations
After your new dentures are fitted, it can take some getting used to before you can speak clearly again. The important thing is to start off with small and simple pronunciations. By repeating and elongating sounds and words, you can become more familiar with how your dentures feel. Over time, you may find that certain sounds are more difficult than others, such as the ‘F’ and ‘S’ letters. Practice sounding those out so that your new teeth feel as natural as possible.
Tip #2: Read Something Aloud
Once you’re more comfortable with pronunciations, you should start working on building up your confidence by speaking out loud! Whether it’s the newspaper or book, try reading anything to yourself as often as you can. Pretend you’re making a speech as you stand in front of the mirror if you want. You can also try singing in the shower to make it more fun.
Tip #3: Practice Talking With Others
Now that you’ve spent time practicing in the comfort of your home, it’s probably a good point to try conversing with others. One of the best ways to improve talking with dentures is to speak with family and friends, as you’ll feel most familiar with them. They may even notice which words you struggle with and can help you practice them. This is also a great confidence booster, as you can feel more like yourself in the process.
It’s completely normal to need time to grow accustomed with your dentures. With these few tips and tricks, you should be able to get back to speaking clearly like before. And even if you have any issues later on, your dentist will always be happy to help you!
About the Author
Dr. Natalya Ramsay received her dental doctorate in General Dentistry from the Oregon Health and Science University School of Dentistry. To this day, she regularly seeks continuing education to improve her skills and expertise so that her patients get the best quality dental care. She offers multiple advanced treatments, including dentures, to help restore the full function of your smile. If you have concerns and need help while talking with dentures, visit her website or call her at 503-472-1402.