Metal Mouth Message Board

First time poster. Today is the 5 week mark of getting my upper linguals (have had lower D3's on 2 1/2 months longer). All the literature says it takes about two weeks for speech to sound normal, and I've read things on this forum where folks say it was quicker than that (eating has been minimally problematic - I just eat gingerly and bite/chew on the sides as my front teeth are the most sensitive b/c of movement).

I'm very frustrated b/c, one of the reasons I DID upper linguals is b/c I'm a singer/actor and don't want them to show; now I have a concert that will be recorded LIVE in 3 weeks, and I'm very disheartened. While my forward "s" sound is pretty good, I have the most problem with more lateral "s-with-consonant" sounds - or many consonants back to back - that require the sides/back of my tongue - the reason is b/c I apparently have a very narrow palette, and I guess was on the borderline so they didn't do palette expansion. Anyhow else have this problem and can give any advice or support?

Apparently I won't have any change in my palette arch until my next wire (AFTER the concert), and the physics just seem to be that if my tongue won't fit, how can I clearly enunciate? While clarity in singing IS easier than talking, lots of words or a quick pace still pose a problem, AND the concert is at night when speech is inevitably less clear. I'm just so frustrated. Also, I speak a lot each day and in my professional day job, I chair meetings, so it's not like I don't have a lot of practice. Thanks for any advice!

Have you tried keeping well hydrated? I found that helped a lot in the begining, I still a couple of months in drink lots of water. Also a friend who is a speech and language therapist suggested singing, which helped, but I guess you are doing a lot of that anyway.

I find I have something important in the evening using more wax in the day protects my tongue and hence speech is better at the end of the day.

Oh, I really hope things get better for you soon, hang in there.

Thanks a lot for the advice; I haven't been using wax since about the first week, b/c I have no soreness on my tongue that I can't handle - but I'll definitely try that on the most intrusive brackets, and see what that does for evening clarity.

thanks!

I just wanted to chime in and wish you the best! I don't have advice but I hope others can help you out. Good luck and keep good thoughts! I am one (I think of the very few) that never adjusted and I still have a lisp after 1.5 years but, I believe that is rare and I'm sure you will find a solution.

cheers!