Metal Mouth Message Board

I did not see this question anywhere that is why i ask.

I want to know this because i work in a call center and i don't want braces to make me loose my job because i can't speak properly with my clients.

Thank you for your responses.

Mmmh, it probably depends on the appliances you need, if you only have braces, they shouldn't affect your speech at all. At least that was my case. My speech has always been completely normal since I got braces. I do not have a TPA or other hardware in, so I guess it depends. Most people that has had some speech problems tend to say that they do not last for long, and in a few days/weeks you are back to normal speech.

From my experience, the speech issues shouldn't be a serious concern if you really want your teeth sorted out.

Mmmh, it probably depends on the appliances you need, if you only have braces, they shouldn't affect your speech at all. At least that was my case. My speech has always been completely normal since I got braces. I do not have a TPA or other hardware in, so I guess it depends. Most people that has had some speech problems tend to say that they do not last for long, and in a few days/weeks you are back to normal speech.

From my experience, the speech issues shouldn't be a serious concern if you really want your teeth sorted out.

Mmmh, it probably depends on the appliances you need, if you only have braces, they shouldn't affect your speech at all. At least that was my case. My speech has always been completely normal since I got braces. I do not have a TPA or other hardware in, so I guess it depends. Most people that has had some speech problems tend to say that they do not last for long, and in a few days/weeks you are back to normal speech.

From my experience, the speech issues shouldn't be a serious concern if you really want your teeth sorted out.

In addition to what the first person said about the kind of appliances, I'd also venture to say it depends on the bracket too. I know that the ceramic brackets my ortho showed me were definitely larger both in width and thickness vs. the much smaller metal bracket she showed me. She told me that the ceramics will definitely make my upper lip protrude -she didn't say anything about my speech but it makes sense that it would take some time to adjust to speaking clearly if the bracket was thicker then another. Also depends on the size of your lips and mouth - I happen to have a small mouth so small lips.

I echo the sentiments of previous posters. I'd also like to suggest that if you're worried about speech impediments the best defense is practice. I have ceramic uppers only and just got them 3 weeks ago and have noticed that I tend to sound the same but I notice that I move my bottom jaw much more than I used to. I mean you can see my bottom teeth much more when I speak than before I got braced. I practice by singing (yes, in my car at the top of my lungs) as much as possible and practicing in the mirror.

Good question to ask! I definitely think its best to be prepared for what may happen! As the others wrote braces typically don't affect speech- or if they do, not for long. I just got braces 3 weeks ago (yikes!), and needed a sort of 'bumper' behind my upper front teeth- this acts as a stop so that my overbite does not hit the lower brackets. This bumper actually gave me a very pronounced lisp for about two weeks. I was very self-conscious; moreso because I just was not expecting this. I wish I had planned it at a better time (ex. a vacation?)- so something to keep in mind. However now three weeks in I am much less self-aware when speaking at work/school and my speech is markedly improved (though still slight lisping). One other note that may be applicable for you--whenever I speak with people on the phone they do not at all notice a lisp, they said I was crazy! Only when they were in person did my friends/family notice that I lisped!

Fortunately my braces haven't affected the way I talk but I haven't had any other extras other than brackets and wires. My son had an expander and later a herbst and his speech was changed at first with all of that extra equipment. By the time he got them out it was back to normal.

I also work in a call center. I only have top and bottom braces and no extra appliances. For a day or so after my appointments i have a little of a lisp...but other than that its no big deal....and if you get let go because you cant talk well then that is not a good company to work with. In my case, on days where i have an appointment, i am able to do some extra work that does not require me to be on the phone. I love the place I work!!!!

(sorry for the triple post!)