Do you sometimes have trouble understanding people when they talk? Do their words sound slurred or strange? If so, there’s a good chance that they have a lisp. A lisp is a speech disorder that affects the way someone pronounces certain sounds. In this guide, we will discuss what lisps are, what causes them, and how they can be treated. We will also provide tips for parents who are looking to help their child overcome a lisp.
Lisps can be divided into two main types: frontal and lateral. Frontal lisps are the most common type, and they involve mispronouncing sounds that are made by touching the tongue to the front teeth (such as “s” and “z”). Lateral lisps are less common, and they involve mispronouncing sounds that are made by touching the tongue to the side teeth (such as “l” and “t”).
There are several possible causes of lisps. In some cases, they may be due to a physical abnormality, such as a cleft palate or tongue-tie. In other cases, they may be due to a neurological disorder, such as Cerebral Palsy. And in still other cases, they may be due to psychological factors, such as anxiety or stress.
Is there any connection between Lisping and Misaligned Teeth?
The jury is still out on this one. Some experts believe that there is a connection, while others are not so sure. However, it is worth noting that many people who have lisps also have misaligned teeth. Some of the alignment issues associated with speech disorders include an overbite, an underbite, crossbite, and open bite. All of these can lead to difficulty making certain sounds. If you or your child has lisp and misaligned teeth, it may be worth talking to your dentist or orthodontist about the possibility of correcting the alignment.
Treatment
Lisps can usually be treated effectively with speech therapy. A speech therapist will work with your child to help them learn how to make the correct sounds. In some cases, surgery may also be necessary to correct a physical abnormality that is causing the lisp.
If your child has a lisp, there are several things you can do to help them.
- Be patient and encourage them to keep practicing their speech.
- Provide positive reinforcement when they make progress. And third, seek out professional help if the problem persists. With patience and effort, your child will be able to overcome their lisp and learn to speak clearly.
- You can also try some at-home exercises to help your child practice making the correct sounds.
- If your child has a frontal lisp, have them practice saying “th” sounds.
- If your child has a lateral lisp, have them practice saying “s” and “z” sounds.
Lisps can have a significant impact on a person’s life. If you or your child has a lisp, don’t hesitate to seek professional help. With the right treatment, it is possible to overcome this speech disorder and improve your quality of life.
The dental expert team at Pearl Shine Dental can help you with any questions or concerns you may have about your child’s teeth. Book an appointment today! At Pearl Shine Dental, we are committed to providing the highest quality of care to our patients. We offer a wide range of services, including dental implants, teeth whitening, and Invisalign. Contact us today to book an appointment!