How to (Successfully) Talk with Dentures

So, your dentures are great for helping you enjoy a fuller smile and improved oral health. But when you first get them, they might not be so great for talking! Perhaps you’re struggling to keep them in place as you try to make conversation, or have trouble adjusting to the way they feel in your mouth. Whatever the situation, these tips can help you speak – successfully! – with your new dental replacement.

Practice, Practice, Practice!

The best way to get a good feel for a new oral appliance is to practice talking. A lot! Read out loud to yourself. Give a speech in front of your bathroom mirror. Take an audio recording with your phone and play it back – do whatever you have to do to work in some quality conversation time with your dentures. Eventually, you’ll get the hang of it, and they won’t feel like a foreign object.

Focus on Enunciation

In English, the sounds that will likely give you and your dentures the most trouble are “s,” “f,” “th,” and “v.” This has to do with how you form your mouth and position your tongue against your teeth, but that’s a lecture better suited for a speech pathologist.

What you should focus on during your speech practice is enunciation. Talk slowly and pay close attention to these tricky sounds in particular. Taking the time to pronounce them carefully will help you talk faster and faster, until you’re back to your usual pace.

Bite, Swallow, and Use Adhesive

Set yourself up for conversational success by taking a deep breath and making sure your dentures are in place. Bite down once or twice to test their position and stability, then swallow or drink a glass of water to wash down excess saliva. If all else fails, denture adhesive can help keep your dentures fixed to your gums. There are different types of denture adhesive, though, so read labels carefully and do a bit of research before you buy.

Ask Your Dentist to Check Your Fit

Sometimes, the real problem can be that your dentures need an adjustment. When they don’t fit quite right, it’s a lot harder to talk normally. Ask your dentist to take a look at them. As a professional, they’ll be able to help your dentures fit comfortably again.

You don’t have to wait until the last second to contact your friendly-neighborhood dentist, though! They can also help coach you through talking tips and might even have more personalized advice that’s better suited for your unique situation. With their assistance, getting used to talking with dentures can be a breeze.

About the Author

Dr. Steven Oshins is a highly experienced dentist with advanced training in multiple fields, including restorative treatments like dentures. He gives 110% for everything that he does, including providing quality dental care and helping his patients adjust to their new replacement teeth. If you have questions or concerns about your dentures or other oral health matters, contact Dr. Oshins’ office at 518-356-5635.