Cavities are a fact of life. The CDC has said as much. Their reporting notes that nearly half of all children and adolescents aged 6-19 have experienced cavities.
But cavities are more than a mere inevitable visit to the dental chair. They can represent serious underlying conditions within our mouths. And they can mean trouble down the line, where your children’s dental health is concerned.
One of the more immediate areas of concern is the ability to form clearly pronounced words. This is doubly true with a developing mouth as that found in a young child.
Learning to talk hinges on proper mouth formations, after all, and cavities are anything but proper. Many of our patients’ parents ask can cavities affect speech. Well, The Super Dentists are here to answer the call and shine a light on this oft-asked query.
Read on to hear our super-powered answer to this age-old question!
The Connection Between Teeth and Speech
So, you’re likely wondering, which teeth affect speech? Well, let’s get into it!
Teeth play a complex and intrinsic part in our mouths’ ability to carry out their daily functions. And each tooth (or, really, set of teeth), offers a different set of sub-functions.
While our molars and canines are largely relegated to chewing duties, our front teeth wear far more hats. The truth is they have as much to do with speech as they do with mastication. These really are the workhorses of our mouths. And any little thing that nudges them out of the ordinary can cause speech issues.
It’s not often that we consciously think about our mouths as we speak. However, taking even a moment to consider the inner workings of the mouth as we communicate is jarring. It’s a lot like breathing in this regard: a completely subconscious act that is, somehow, far more complex than we give it credit.
So, indulge us as we call attention to your teeth and tongue for a moment…
Think of all the sounds you may form with your mouth. Now think about the harder consonant sounds like TH or L among others. Each of these sounds and so many more require an intricate dance between your upper and lower front teeth and your tongue. They are known as “dental consonants” and are critical in spoken English, as well as dozens of languages across the globe.
Now imagine a misalignment in a young person’s front teeth. Or, even more pointedly, imagine some of those teeth missing. Is the child able to pronounce things properly, or might they find a clever workaround to form what they think is the correct sound?
We’ve all heard those adorable mispronunciations when our children have lost a baby tooth or two. But while these misfires are cute in short bursts, they become a much larger issue if the issue goes untreated for too long. Gaps, misalignments, and chronically missing teeth are a real headache, where child speech and development therapy is concerned.
Space maintainers can help in some cases like this, as they prevent the teeth surrounding a lost tooth from shifting into the empty space. But further-reaching dental interventions like dental implants may be required if the issue stems from a health issue.
Can Cavities Affect Speech?
We’ve come roundabout to the topic at hand. We hope you didn’t mind our flex when it comes to oral speech and development issues, as they’re just so fascinating!
As we’ve covered up to this point, dental issues should never be ignored. Even the smallest bit of abnormality in the mouth can affect the way we form certain words. Of course, by an abnormality, we mean an issue with tooth placement, fillage, and more. Cavities are likely too small to truly throw off how our sounds are formed.
But while a cavity unto itself may not cause a mispronounced TH of F, it can lead to larger dental issues that can. Here’s how:
Talking Through Pain
Anyone with oral pain can tell you even the act of talking can fire up our pain receptors.
For a child, the discordance between wanting to talk and wanting to avoid pain becomes more than a minor inconvenience. They may actually unconsciously learn to avoid using words or sounds that trigger the pain sensation. And for the developing mind, this is a major issue. An over-reliance on certain words and sounds and an avoidance of others can be detrimental to development.
Can Cavities in Baby Teeth Affect Permanent Teeth?
On this point, there’s some good news and some bad news. A cavity in a child’s baby tooth won’t hereditarily carry over to the adult tooth that takes its place. That’s the good news. The bad news is caution is still needed in these cases.
Cavities in baby teeth can still affect mature tooth health. Everything from delayed dental maturation to adult tooth misalignment is possible. Each of these issues may require professional intervention if proper oral health is desired.
Remember, our developing mouths require healthy, full-toothed layouts to learn and master all of our consonant sounds. Anything less and your child may struggle to speak properly.
Speech Problems with Missing Teeth
If tooth issues are left untreated, they may later lead to adult teeth needing to be pulled. Remember, even the smallest cavity can eventually lead to root issues, infections, and worse. But, you may be saying, one missing tooth can’t cause issues, can it?
We’ll answer that question with another question. Can you talk without teeth? Sure, but it’s rarely easy. Our speech sounds and teeth are highly correlated.
The Importance of Early Dental Care
For parents of children growing their first teeth, good habits are key. And good habits can start with modest, daily habits that your child can be proud to take part in. This includes:
- Drinking plenty of water (for children ages 6 months and up)
- Brushing all teeth thoroughly after every meal with fluoride toothpaste
- Flossing when two or more adjacent teeth have grown in
- Rinsing with a pro-enamel mouth rinse
- And more.
The link between pronunciation and teeth couldn’t be clearer. And avoiding dental issues should be at the top of every parent’s list.
For children who have a cavity, dental intervention from a trusted pediatric dentist should be undertaken quickly. This is where The Super Dentists can help.
When Cavities Lurk, Call Upon the Super Dentists to Save the Day!
Your child’s dental health starts early. And though it may feel like a superhuman task, reminding them to brush and floss constantly, support is here for you.
Patients trust The Super Dentists in San Diego for comprehensive oral care for children and adults of all ages. Our state-of-the-art practice is here to offer everything from everyday checkups to advanced dental interventions. And our commitment to high-quality dentistry is what makes us unlike any other dental practice in the galaxy!
Are you concerned about your child’s cavities? Bring the whole family to The Super Dentists for cavity fillings, general checkups, cleanings, and more! Schedule an appointment today.