“Can teeth issues cause difficulty speaking?”
I have gum disease and starting having trouble speaking. Can teeth issues cause difficulty speaking?
8 Answers
Usually it is the pain that will cause speech changes because of changing tongue contact to teeth. Sometimes lack of front teeth can cause distortion to speech sounds.
Severe gum disease will cause spacing, shifting and teeth movements. This may cause speech alteration or problems.
Absolutely. Discomfort from pain or swelling or infection can interfere with speaking properly. Please get this checked out.
Yes, teeth movement may alter pronouncing some letters.
Yes, teeth issues such as missing teeth or spaces between your teeth can cause speaking difficulties especially with articulation of your words and tongue placement issues. If you have severe gum disease where the teeth are unstable, your speech can be affected but usually not in early gum disease
Dear Reader,
Good question. Speech is one of the functions assigned to your front teeth. Their position in your mouth determines the quality of the sounds you make while speaking. Depending upon the severity of your gum disease, if your teeth have shifted, this has the potential to affect your speech. As dentists, especially those of us who make dentures (because we have to set the teeth), we are keenly aware of how teeth should come together and be arranged to make the appropriate sounds. I would speak with your dentist. Once your gum disease is under control, you make need to see an orthodontist to move your teeth into the right position. It may benefit to also see a speech therapist as well.
Hope this helps,
Steven Chamish,DDS, FAGD, FIOCI
Good question. Speech is one of the functions assigned to your front teeth. Their position in your mouth determines the quality of the sounds you make while speaking. Depending upon the severity of your gum disease, if your teeth have shifted, this has the potential to affect your speech. As dentists, especially those of us who make dentures (because we have to set the teeth), we are keenly aware of how teeth should come together and be arranged to make the appropriate sounds. I would speak with your dentist. Once your gum disease is under control, you make need to see an orthodontist to move your teeth into the right position. It may benefit to also see a speech therapist as well.
Hope this helps,
Steven Chamish,DDS, FAGD, FIOCI
Yes, they can, but they don’t have to. Find a speech pathologist to evaluate and help with treatment.
Ali Matisse, MS CCC-SLP
Ali Matisse, MS CCC-SLP
I would have to actually hear you speak and have more details, but it is possible to have trouble speaking if there is pain or swelling associated with the gum disease. You may discuss it with your dentist and primary care doctor. If the root cause can not be corrected, you may consider speech therapy to learn strategies to improve your articulation. You may look in your area for an SLP that works with adults or check out my page at www.teletn.com if you live in TN or AL.
