Perhaps you’ve recently gotten veneers installed on your teeth. You might be wondering if the procedure has affected your speech. One potential issue that some people experience is getting a lisp after veneers, a speech impediment characterized by difficulty pronouncing the “s” and “z” sounds. If you’re concerned that you might have a lisp after getting veneers, there are a few things you can do to test for it.
Listen to How You Speak
The first step in testing for a lisp is to pay attention to your speech. You should be able to notice if you’re having trouble pronouncing certain sounds, particularly the “s” and “z” sounds. If you’re having trouble with these sounds, it’s a good idea to record yourself speaking and then play it back to see if you can hear any issues.
Get a smartphone or other recording device and record your voice. You can use the recording to compare your speech before and after getting veneers.
Get Friends or Family to Listen to You
Another way to test for a lisp is to have a friend or family member listen to you speak. They should be able to tell you if they notice any issues with your speech. They can also help you practice pronouncing certain sounds so you can get a better sense of how your speech has changed.
Consult with a Professional
In addition to listening to your speech and having others listen to you, you can consult a speech therapist. A speech therapist can evaluate your speech and help you identify any issues you may be having. They can also provide exercises and techniques to help improve your speech and reduce or eliminate your lisp.
What Should You Do with Your Lisp?
Perhaps you’ve developed a lisp after getting veneers. Remember that it’s a temporary condition that you can treat. Sometimes, improperly adjusted or fitted veneers may cause a lisp. In this case, your dentist may be able to make adjustments to the veneers to help improve your speech. You may want to reach out to your dentist for a consultation.
In other cases, swelling or soreness in the mouth following the procedure can cause a lisp. In this case, the lisp should improve as the swelling goes down. You can also do some things on your own to help improve your speech. One is to practice speaking slowly and clearly. This can help you get a better sense of how your speech has changed and can help you identify any sounds you’re having trouble with.
Another thing you can do is practice different exercises to improve your speech. For example, you can practice saying words or phrases that begin with the “s” and “z” sounds. You can also practice saying different sounds and words to help you get a better sense of how your speech has changed.
Conclusion
If you’re concerned that you may have a lisp after getting veneers, don’t worry! There are a few things you can do to test for it. You can pay attention to your speech, have a friend or family member listen, or consult a speech therapist for an evaluation.
If you do have a lisp, remember that it’s not permanent. With some practice and patience, you should be able to improve your speech and reduce or eliminate your lisp.
