Does Your Child Struggle With Speech? 3 Possible Causes To Discuss With Their Pediatric Dentist

Speech issues, such as a lisp, are common during childhood. While working with a speech therapist helps your child learn how to enunciate sounds better, you should also consider the possibility that there could be a physical issue behind your child's challenges. The field of pediatric dentistry addresses oral health issues that affect speech, and it's worth mentioning these possible conditions to your child's dentist to see if a treatment could improve their ability to speak clearly.

Have Them Checked for a Tongue Tie

Tongue tie occurs when a piece of tissue connects the tip of the tongue to the floor of the mouth. This condition is present at birth, and it can cause issues with breastfeeding, bottle feeding, and speech as your child gets older. Often, mild cases of tongue tie are not recognized until a child begins to speak or sees a kids dentist for the first time. If a tongue tie is discovered, your child may benefit from a surgical treatment to correct it so that they can make the proper movements for speech.

Be Sure to Mention Tongue Thrust

Tongue thrust can be caused by a tongue tie, or a child may exhibit this behavior for other reasons, such as allergies or a misaligned bite. During your child's dental checkup, their dentist can assess the severity of their tongue thrust and check for potential damage caused by it, such as front teeth that protrude too far. The treatment for tongue thrust is typically based upon treating the underlying causes. For instance, a child who thrusts their tongue from a misaligned bite may need orthodontic treatment. Alternatively, some children benefit from wearing a special appliance that trains them to keep their tongue in the proper position.

Consider the Impact of Missing Teeth

Children naturally lose their teeth as they mature, but these teeth are quickly replaced by permanent ones so that their impact upon speech development is minimal. However, your child may develop speech problems if they have missing teeth during times when it is not a normal part of their development. For instance, baby bottle tooth decay often causes the front teeth to need to be removed early in life, and this can cause issues with making certain sounds. If your child has missing teeth or severe decay, then talk to their dentist about treatment options that allow them to continue to develop their ability to speak normally.

Speech challenges require a combination of treatments to help your child pronounce words properly. By working with your child's dentist, as well as their speech specialist, you can identify all of the underlying causes and address them together.