Can a Lisp Be Caused by Dental Problems?

Many youngsters lisp, and whether you think it’s a lovely quality or something to be concerned about, you need to know what’s causing it. If your child is on the verge of starting pre-school, this dilemma might become much more complicated. So you’ve come to the right place to find out if a lisp can be caused by dental problems.

4 Types of Lisp

There are four basic types of lisp that occur when making an s or z sound:

• Interdental/Frontal Lisp

This is when the tongue protrudes between the top and bottom front teeth.

• Dentalized Lisp

This is when the tongue pushes against the back of the front teeth.

• Lateral Lisp

This is where air flows around instead of over the tongue.

• Palatal Lisp

This is where the tongue makes contact with the palate.

Note that both the interdental/frontal and dentalized lisps are very common in youngsters up to four years of age and sometimes up to seven years of age.

What Causes Lisps?

Sometimes kids naturally outgrow a lisp. But if a lisp persists, it is time to contact a dentist in Owensboro, KY to see if there are underlying causes. They may include:

• Underbite
• Overbite
• Open bite
• Tongue tie
• Tongue thrust
• Delayed muscular development in the tongue

Often, a simple dental exam will result in a firm diagnosis of the problem. If your child needs orthodontics in Beaver Dam, KY, Dr. Travis Wilson Family Dentistry can help. Make sure you see your dentist right away so the issue can be resolved.

The fact of the matter is, a lisp can not only be caused by dental problems; dental and oral issues are the most common reasons behind a lisp. For more information and help with your child’s lisp, contact Dr. Travis Wilson Family Dentistry in Owensboro, KY.