Metal Mouth Message Board

I can't. I don't know if it's because one of my retainers is defective , but I can't speak clearly.

I hear this a lot. I am not sure that anybody can speak perfectly clear with retainers - if they cover any of your palate. Mine doesn't interfere as much as some because it doesn't cover as much, but my tongue has to move differently when I'm wearing it. Also, I think that you sound worse to yourself than you do to other people. Just talk to yourself - or sing, or something, it helps you get used to it.

When I first got them two months ago, I sounded like Sylvester the Cat. Now I just sound like an old lady with dentures that don't fit well I'll be happy when I can get to nights only, but I have gotten better. It's the "s" sounds that are hardest for me.

I 'whistle' on S's when wearing my Essix retainers, I don't think anyone except me notices though...perhaps they do but they are being polite!!

I am speaking better than I did a week ago when I first got my retainers but 'S' sounds are the hardest. Fortunately I wear my retainers evening & night so don't have to speak with them in - except when I wasn't thinking & answered the phone! That was a very odd conversation but luckily it was a friend on the other end!

The first day no one could understand me, but after a few days it got better. It doesn't look like the lisp is going away for me though. The thing that bugs me the most is when I talk sometimes, I'll get spit bubbles coming out of the top retainer. UGH. -_-