Braces are an effective treatment option for addressing alignment issues. They have a variety of long-term benefits and can improve your oral health, digestion, and even your speech. Many people who have speech issues wonder, do braces change your voice? Braces may have an impact on your voice and speech. Below you will find more information on the impact of braces.
Do Braces Change Your Voice?
Braces have the potential to slightly impact your voice. Oftentimes it can change your diction (how you pronounce and enunciate words) and resonance (the quality of sound). The degree of impact depends on the shape of your mouth, what exactly is being changed, and the distance your teeth need to move. Minor changes to your mouth don’t have as great of an impact compared to major changes when it comes to your voice. Oftentimes the changes are for the better as your speech will likely become clearer.
Braces and Your Speech
Prior to having braces, you may experience speech issues. These issues can prevent you from saying words or letters correctly. Braces can help with speech issues and your orthodontist will consider this when they create your treatment plan. When you first get braces, you may notice that you develop a lisp. This won’t last forever as your teeth will continue to transition and you will be able to adapt accordingly. However, during the period you have braces (which can be up to two years), you may notice several changes and transitions when it comes to your speech.
In addition to the changes with your speech, you may notice issues with your tongue. You may need to train your tongue to move properly when you speak. This is completely normal and many people experience it as their mouth transforms with braces. It’s important to be patient with yourself as your teeth transition. Once your treatment is complete and your teeth are straightened, your speech will be much clearer. This is especially true if you had very crooked teeth to begin with as your tongue will have much more room once your teeth are straight.
The Benefits of Braces
Many people with crooked teeth or other alignment issues can have speech issues. No matter if you are an adolescent or adult, speech issues can impact your self-esteem and confidence. While braces treatment can take between 16 months to 2 years, it is a long-term investment that can improve your speech. This does not only help you smile more often, but feel confident in doing so. People with a bright and straight smile are often perceived as friendlier and more professional. This is a major benefit when it comes to both your personal and professional life.
In addition to the benefits braces can have on your confidence, they can also benefit your digestive system. Aligned teeth result in more ease when it comes to chewing. You can adequately break down your food when you chew so your stomach doesn’t have to do any extra work. For anyone with stomach issues, braces can be a game-changer.
Lastly, braces can help improve your oral health. Misaligned teeth place you at a higher risk for tooth decay. This is because food and harmful bacteria are more difficult to reach on misaligned teeth. While braces may be a large initial investment, they pay off in the long run. Tooth decay results in more dental visits and procedures. Braces can avoid this and help you keep your natural teeth for as long as possible. If you are considering braces, contact the Best Brace Place and schedule an appointment.
