How Orthodontic Treatment Can Correct Speech Issues (Lisping, Whistling Sounds)

Speech plays a vital role in communication and confidence, but misaligned teeth and jaw issues can sometimes lead to speech difficulties, such as lisping, whistling sounds, or difficulty pronouncing certain words. Many Greensboro parents and patients don’t realize that orthodontic treatment—braces, Invisalign, and expanders—can help improve speech clarity by correcting these underlying dental issues.

At Robert Stoner Orthodontics, we take a comprehensive approach to treatment, ensuring not only a beautiful smile but also better oral function, including clearer speech. Let’s explore how orthodontic care can help resolve common speech issues.

How Do Teeth and Jaw Alignment Affect Speech?

Speech involves a complex interaction between the tongue, teeth, lips, and jaw. If teeth are misaligned or the jaw is improperly positioned, it can affect how air flows through the mouth and how the tongue makes contact with the teeth. This can lead to pronunciation difficulties, lisps, or unintended whistling sounds when speaking.

Common orthodontic issues that contribute to speech problems include:

• Overbite – The upper front teeth extend too far forward, making it difficult to pronounce sounds like “S” and “Z.”
• Underbite – The lower teeth protrude past the upper teeth, affecting tongue placement for sounds like “T” and “D.”
• Open Bite – The front teeth don’t touch when the mouth is closed, which can lead to difficulty with “S” and “SH” sounds and may contribute to a lisp.
• Crowded Teeth – Overlapping teeth can restrict tongue movement and airflow, impacting speech clarity.
• Gaps Between Teeth – Large spaces between teeth can create a whistling sound when pronouncing words with “S” or “TH” sounds.
• Narrow Palate – A small or high-arched palate (roof of the mouth) can cause tongue placement issues and difficulty articulating certain sounds.

Common Speech Issues Orthodontic Treatment Can Help With

1. Lisping (Interdental or Dentalized Lisp)

A lisp occurs when the tongue pushes too far forward when pronouncing “S” and “Z” sounds, making them sound like “TH” (e.g., “sun” sounds like “thun”).

How orthodontics helps:

• Braces or Invisalign can realign the teeth so the tongue can make proper contact.
• Expanders or palate widening treatment can create more room for the tongue to function properly.

2. Whistling Sounds When Speaking

A whistling sound while speaking is often caused by gaps between the teeth or improper airflow due to misalignment.

How orthodontics helps:

• Braces or Invisalign can close gaps between teeth, eliminating unwanted airflow.
• Aligning the teeth and jaw improves how air passes through the mouth, reducing whistling.

3. Difficulty Pronouncing Certain Words

If the tongue doesn’t have enough space or can’t properly interact with the teeth, some consonant sounds—like “T,” “D,” “S,” and “L”—may be harder to pronounce.

How orthodontics helps:

• Braces help correct bite alignment so the tongue can properly hit the roof of the mouth for clear pronunciation.
• A palatal expander may be used to create a more spacious oral environment for improved speech clarity.

4. Slurred or Muffled Speech

Crowded teeth or a misaligned bite can make it harder to move the lips and tongue properly, leading to speech that sounds slurred or muffled.

How orthodontics helps:

• Aligning the teeth gives the tongue more freedom of movement to form words clearly.
• Correcting the bite ensures the lips, jaw, and teeth work together for precise speech.

Braces vs. Invisalign: Which is Better for Speech Issues?

Both braces and clear aligners can be effective in correcting speech issues, depending on the severity of misalignment.

Braces:

• Best for more complex cases (severe crowding, open bites, or overbites).
• Can correct speech-related dental issues while guiding jaw development.
• May require an adjustment period for speech but leads to long-term improvement.

Invisalign:

• Great for mild to moderate alignment issues affecting speech.
• Removable, allowing for more flexibility in speech practice.
• Comfortable and doesn’t interfere with tongue movement as much as braces.

At Robert Stoner Orthodontics, we customize treatment based on each patient’s needs to improve both dental alignment and speech function.

How Long Does It Take for Speech to Improve with Orthodontic Treatment?

Every patient’s case is unique, but most people notice gradual speech improvements within a few months as teeth shift into proper alignment. If your child has severe misalignment, speech therapy may also be recommended alongside orthodontic care for the best results.

Most patients fully adjust within the first few weeks of treatment, and as alignment improves, so does speech clarity.

Can Retainers or Expanders Affect Speech?

It’s normal for patients to experience temporary speech changes when wearing a retainer or palatal expander, especially in the first few days. This happens because the tongue and lips need time to adjust to the new appliance.

Tips to adjust faster:

• Practice reading aloud to get used to speaking with an orthodontic appliance.
• Slow down when speaking—rushing can make adjustments harder.
• Drink plenty of water to avoid dry mouth, which can make speech feel awkward.

If issues persist, let your orthodontist know—sometimes small adjustments can help.

The Connection Between Orthodontics and Speech Therapy

While orthodontic treatment can correct structural issues affecting speech, some patients may benefit from working with a speech therapist in addition to braces or Invisalign.

A speech therapist can:

• Teach proper tongue placement after orthodontic correction.
• Help with pronunciation retraining for sounds that were affected by misalignment.
• Work alongside your orthodontist to ensure long-term speech improvement.

If needed, we can recommend speech therapy resources in Greensboro for patients who may benefit from additional support.

If you or your child are struggling with speech difficulties related to dental alignment, orthodontic treatment could be the solution. At Robert Stoner Orthodontics, we specialize in treating both cosmetic and functional issues, helping patients achieve confident smiles and clearer speech.