Oral Health & Speech Development: How Dental Health Impacts Communication in Diverse Populations
Together, we will explore:
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How missing teeth, malocclusion, or cleft palate can affect articulation.
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How dental neglect (often tied to socioeconomic or cultural barriers) can delay speech/language development.
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How CSD professionals (SLPs, audiologists) and dental professionals can collaborate.
Dental Structure and the Science of Speech
Children all over the world have difficulties communicating clearly; not because of language delay, but because of the physical anatomy of their mouths. The oral health and speech development of a child are connected, and when dental issues go untreated, especially in children coming from low-income communities, the effects can go farther than just cosmetic insecurity. Studies have shown that oral conditions like missing teeth, malocclusion, or cleft palate directly impact proper speech articulation. For example, Birol and Ünal Logacev (2024) discovered that kids with cleft lip and palate can experience hypernasality, which can cause abnormal resonance in a voice, because of too much air coming through the nose during speech. Additionally, they can experience weak articulation and nasal airflow problems because the structural gap between the oral and nasal cavities disrupts speech quality. Comparably, missing teeth or Class III malocclusion alter tongue placement and airflow, so a lisping sound distortion when someone is trying to sound out certain letters, like /s/, /t/, or /d/, can occur. These complications can make speech sound unclear, and delay literacy and academic progression if left untreated.
Research also shows that socioeconomic status greatly impacts access to dental care. Jafari et al. (2024) found that children from lower socioeconomic backgrounds were more likely to have more severe malocclusion and poor oral hygiene, which are conditions that normally go unfixed due to families lack of resources or lack of oral health education. This inequality can create a cycle where children not only suffer from dental pain or low self-confidence, but also from reduced communication and participation in social environments. Orthodontic and prosthetic interventions, such as braces and palate-repair surgeries, can dramatically improve speech by restoring correct alignment of the upper and lower arches and airflow. Early intervention, collaboration between dental providers, speech-language pathologists, and community dental programs are needed to make sure every kid, regardless of their background, has the chance to speak clearly and confidently, and to be happy with their smile.
Peer-Reviewed Sources
Jafari, Amir Khashayar, et al. “Effect of Malocclusion Severity on Oral Health and Its Correlation with Socioeconomical Status in Iranian Adolescents.” BMC Oral Health, vol. 24, no. 1, 1301, 2024, https://doi.org/10.1186/s12903-024-05069-w.
Birol, Namık, and Özlem Ünal Logacev. “Relationship between Anatomical and Physiological Problems with Speech Problems in Turkish-Speaking Children with Cleft Lip and Palate.” The Turkish Journal of Ear Nose and Throat, vol. 34, no. 4, 2024, pp. 1–9, https://doi.org/10.26650/Tr-ENT.2024.1598499.
In this video, Dr. LaViola explores how poor dental health can impact speech clarity and articulation. He also discusses the importance of dental care, and interventions available to preserve oral function and high-quality speech.
This video explores the relationship between socioeconomic status and access to dental care, especially for children and underserved populations. It explains the need for policies and programs that expand dental access in low-income communities to reduce health disparities.