Most people realize they can work with an orthodontist to correct their teeth and receive a perfect smile. However, working with a Melbourne orthodontist can provide many other health benefits. If a child develops a problem with their bite, known as malocclusion, it can cause problems with their speech. Correcting the child’s bite can help alleviate their issues with speech clarity. 

How Orthodontics and Speech Clarity Are Connected

Whenever we speak, we do so unconsciously. We’re unaware that our tongue impacts the roof of our mouth and the backs of our teeth to make all the sounds required in speech. When the teeth or jaw are misaligned, it can impact how sounds are formed. This is especially true if a bite problem occurs when a child is young and their speech is still developing. A child with a bite problem may be unable to make correct sounds because of how their tongue is hitting the roof of the mouth and teeth. The scientific literature agrees that orthodontic treatment is vital to correcting speech problems for these children.

Bite Problems That Can Cause Speech Impediments

Malocclusions are extremely common and can cause speech problems in many people- young and old. Bite problems can also make it more difficult to chew food properly and even cause painful conditions like headaches and TMJ if they become too advanced. Here are some bite problems that can lead to a speech impediment.

• Overbite: An overbite occurs when the upper jaw protrudes further than the lower jaw. If an overbite is too extensive, it can cause a person to lisp. They may also have difficulty pronouncing ‘f’ and ‘v’ sounds.
• Underbite: An underbite is a condition in which the lower jaw protrudes further than the upper jaw. Some sounds we make in speech, such as ‘f’ and ‘v,’ are more difficult when the upper teeth are in front of the lower teeth. An underbite can also make it harder to pronounce ‘s’ and ‘z’ sounds.
• Open Bite: An open bite happens when a jaw misalignment prevents the upper and lower teeth from connecting. There’s a vertical gap between the upper and lower teeth. The upper and lower teeth must meet adequately when we make ‘d’, ‘t,’ ‘n,’ and ‘the sounds. The gap causes the tongue to protrude through the teeth during speech, which can cause a lisp and other pronunciation problems.
• Crossbite: A crossbite occurs when the upper teeth rest inside the lower teeth when the mouth is closed. This can impact how the jaw moves during the speech, so the person has trouble articulating ‘s,’ ‘sh,’ ‘ch,’ and ‘j’ sounds. 
• Large Gap Between Front Teeth: An ample space between the front teeth can affect the airflow and cause difficulty making certain sounds that require the tongue to press against the back of the teeth.

Improved Bite Function Equals Improved Speech

The good news is that all these various bite problems can be corrected through orthodontic treatment. Braces and aligners are the most common orthodontic appliances used, but other options are also available. Palatal expanders, spacers, and other tools may be required to shift the jaw into proper alignment gradually. Once the patient’s bite is corrected, they will likely find brushing and flossing their teeth easier. Their speech problems can also be cleared up when the jaw is properly realigned.

Sometimes, a child may require speech therapy in conjunction with orthodontic treatment. Speech therapy can help to retrain the tongue to impact the teeth and the roof of the mouth for proper sound production.

Contact Us for Improved Bite Function and Speech Clarity

If you or your child have a speech impediment, it could be due to a misaligned jaw. Contact us at Reddick Orthodontics to schedule an appointment with an orthodontist. The doctor will be able to tell you if malocclusion is contributing to the problem.