Can Misaligned Teeth Cause Speech Impediments?

Crooked teeth or misaligned teeth are not uncommon in both kids and adults alike. Many people want to fix their misaligned teeth as it brings down their self-esteem and affects their social life. However, if your crooked teeth don't bother you then don't realign them.

In some cases though, besides the aesthetics, misaligned teeth need to be fixed as they cause trouble in chewing, biting and talking clearly. Want to know more about how your misaligned teeth might be causing you speech impediments?

Keep on reading as we mention everything you need to know about misaligned teeth and the speech problems they often bring along with them.

What is Teeth Misalignment?

Teeth misaligned or crooked teeth are when your teeth are not in a straight line. Misaligned teeth can be in the form of crossbites, overbites, underbites, open bites, etc.

You must keep in mind that besides cosmetic purposes, misaligned teeth need to be addressed in time as they can also cause headaches, speaking problems, difficulty in eating and lead to premature tooth loss.

How Misaligned Teeth Can Cause Speech Problems?

Do crooked teeth affect speech? The answer is yes. Misaligned or crooked teeth can indeed affect your speech and cause whistling, lisping and slurring.

Here are some common types of teeth misalignment along with speech problems that they cause.

- Speech Problems Due To Overbite

An overbite is when your upper front teeth protrude far more than your lower front teeth. People suffering from an overbite have trouble making tongue-tipped sounds and sibilants.

Sibilants are nothing but sounds that make the ‘s’ sound. Instead of making the ‘s’ sound, people with overbite instead create the ‘th’ sound.

- Speech Problems Due To Underbite

An underbite is the opposite of an overbite. In this, your lower front teeth abnormally protrude more than your upper front teeth.

People who suffer from an underbite struggle to reach the top ridge of the roof of their mouth with the help of their tongue. This affects their ability to make alveolar sounds i.e., sounds like ‘t’, ‘d’ and ‘n’.

- Speech Problems Due To Open bite

Open bite is an orthodontic issue in which your top and bottom teeth don’t fit together, making it look like your mouth is open even when you close it.

This type of teeth misalignment again affects your ability to produce alveolar sounds and may cause you to have a lisp when you talk.

Does Teeth Straightening Solve Speech Problems?

Yes, you can fix your teeth misalignment and cure your speech impediments with the help of teeth straightening methods. Today, there are a plethora of teeth straightening procedures that you can choose from.

Some common teeth straightening procedures that you can consider to get rid of your speech problems are metal braces, ceramic braces, dental implants and clear aligners.

Note that at the beginning of your clear aligners treatment, your speech impediments like whistling, slurring and lisping might become worse. But this is normal and not something to worry about. With practice, you will adjust to wearing clear aligners and your speech problems will cure completely after your clear aligners treatment gets completed.

The Takeaway

You can easily realign your crooked teeth and fix your speech problems with the help of clear aligners. Want to straighten your teeth but cannot be bothered to visit your local dentist several times for your treatment? We have the perfect solution for you.

Choose makeO toothsi’s at-home teeth straightening treatment and get straight pearly whites from the comfort of your home. Why choose makeO toothsi’s clear aligners? We promise to give you a smooth, personalised, comfortable and affordable teeth straightening journey free from unwanted pain and stress.

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FAQs:

What causes teeth misalignment?

Teeth misalignment can be caused by several factors like genetics, thumb sucking, severe jaw injury, tongue thrusting, etc.

What are some orthodontic issues caused by misaligned teeth?

Some common misaligned teeth problems include tooth decay, gum disease, speech impediments and difficulty in chewing and biting.

How do misaligned teeth affect your social life?

Crooked or misaligned teeth often make people self-conscious about their smile and bring down their self-esteem and self-confidence.

Do misaligned teeth cure on their own?

No, teeth misalignment doesn’t get fixed on its own. Hence, you need to consult your orthodontist and choose a teeth straightening procedure to fix them.

Can you treat your crooked teeth naturally?

No, we don’t recommend you try to treat your crooked teeth at home. If your crooked teeth are causing you any health concerns or if you simply feel like they are dimming down your personality, then choose makeO clear aligners to get a smile makeOver of your dreams.