Speech and the dental interface

Abstract

This article outlines how sounds are produced and how speech and language develop, in the child. The assessment of speech by a speech and language therapist is briefly described. It then discusses the evidence for an impact of occlusion, and the loss or absence of teeth on speech. In summary there is a possibility that the loss, absence or malalignment of teeth may affect speech but unfortunately the evidence base is weak. CPD/Clinical relevance: Dental care professionals should understand the development of speech and how dental health potentially affects speech.

Untreated Early Childhood Caries and Possible Links with Brain Development

“…When tooth loss occurs during this crucial phase of brain development, the neural connections involved in speech production may face challenges [25]. Consequently, children with missing teeth may experience difficulties in articulating speech clearly and fluently [26]. In response, the brain may undergo adaptation and reorganization of its neural pathways to compensate for the altered oral structure and the resulting speech disorders [27].…”

Oral Myofunctional and Articulation Disorders in Children with Malocclusions: A Systematic Review

“…It is estimated that 2-24% of school-aged children present with some kind of articulation disorder (AD) [18]. Correlations between malocclusions and AD have been reported [19], which is unsurprising as the production of certain speech sounds necessitates the teeth [20]. In populations with cleft palate, it is well known that changes in the occlusion and dental morphology are related to specific AD [21].…”

“…In populations with cleft palate, it is well known that changes in the occlusion and dental morphology are related to specific AD [21]. In non-cleft palate populations as well, AD have been found to cooccur with malocclusions [20,22]. Especially sibilant sounds such as /s/ and /z/ appear to be disordered in the presence of a malocclusion [19,22].…”