Speech Therapy and Dentistry

Speech therapy is closely connected to orthodontics. Maintaining a beautiful, well-aligned set of teeth can only be expected with proper swallowing and speech functions.

This means harmony and balance among the muscles of the face, mouth, neck, and tongue. Improper muscle function and tongue position can lead to orthodontic and jaw problems in the long term. OralMed Studio offers a solution for this as well.

In the case of tongue thrust swallowing, the tongue moves forward or sideways and comes into contact with the teeth, and sometimes even with the lips. A common complaint is that the teeth become distorted or shift back after orthodontic treatment.

With incorrect swallowing, the tongue acts as a “bad internal orthodontic appliance,” because it exerts force when it comes into contact with the teeth. This disrupts muscular balance and may lead to changes such as:

• irregular development of the dental arch and face,
• various bite abnormalities,
• dental irregularities,
• or speech disorders.

Can Correct Swallowing Be Learned?

Yes. It is useful to know that swallowing also changes during development. Tongue thrust swallowing is still a physiological phenomenon in early childhood and can be considered a transitional phase during the primary dentition stage. However, tongue thrust swallowing that persists after the development of mixed dentition can be reliably diagnosed.

Swallowing consists of two phases: the voluntary phase and the reflexive phase. Tongue thrust swallowing therapy can help patients learn the correct mechanism of the voluntary phase. This therapy is available at our practice from the age of 10.

Learning correct swallowing and incorporating it into everyday life requires the development of a new habit. Therefore, maturity, motivation, dedication, and—in the case of children—parental support and patience are key factors.

During treatment, our goal is to establish correct swallowing, restore disrupted muscle balance, strengthen the lip and tongue muscles, and eliminate speech disorders caused by incorrect swallowing. Following an assessment, therapy is tailored to the individual and provided in one-on-one sessions, either before orthodontic treatment or alongside it.

Articulation Therapy at OralMed Studio

The aim of articulation therapy is to develop the correct production of speech sounds and integrate them into everyday speech.

When Do We Recommend It?

We recommend articulation therapy:

• if certain sounds are distorted, lisped, or pronounced unclearly,
• if certain sounds are omitted or replaced with other sounds,
• if speech is difficult to understand,
• or if, before, during, or after orthodontic treatment, we would like to improve the movement patterns of the tongue and lips and help them adapt to the new anatomical conditions.

Incorrect swallowing, improper tongue position, or weakness of the orofacial muscles can influence the position of the teeth and jaw over the long term. Articulation therapy supports correct and precise muscle function, thereby also contributing to the success of orthodontic and dental treatments.

During the consultation, we assess which sounds are affected by articulation problems and what may be causing the distortion. We then prepare a personalized development plan that includes improving tongue and lip coordination, learning correct sound production, and integrating these sounds into everyday speech.

The process is playful, motivating, and tailored to individual needs. Our goal is for every patient to communicate confidently, clearly, and joyfully—accompanied by a healthy smile.

Orthodontic treatment is not a prerequisite for therapy: it is available to anyone who would like to speak more clearly and understandably.