3. The Overbite and Its Unseen Dance with Speech
Speech is like a delicate dance, with each part of the mouth playing a role in the rhythm and flow of our words. An overbite, subtle though it may be, can step on the toes of this dance, affecting how we articulate and enunciate. It’s not so much that an overbite adds an accent or a lisp, though it can; it’s that it changes the mouth’s landscape, which in turn can alter the sound production.
Let’s take the ‘S’ sound, for example. This sibilant syllable relies on a stream of air flowing just right between the teeth. But with an overbite, the front teeth aren’t where they’re supposed to be, leading to a whistle or a lisp as the air escapes in an unintended way. It’s as if the overbite nudges the teeth into a position where they can’t quite hit the right notes in the symphony of speech.
This isn’t limited to sibilants. Other sounds, like ‘F’ and ‘V’, need the lower lip to brush against the upper teeth—something that can be a challenge if those teeth are too far forward. It’s akin to playing a wind instrument; if the pieces aren’t aligned, the music won’t be quite right. And just like an instrument, with a bit of practice and, in some cases, orthodontic treatment, these speech idiosyncrasies can often be corrected.
But an overbite doesn’t only affect the production of sound; it can also influence the resonance. The oral cavity acts as a resonating chamber, and any change in its shape, like that caused by an overbite, can affect the quality of the voice. Some might notice a slight nasality, while others might find their voice takes on a different pitch.
What’s truly mesmerizing is how adaptable the human body is. Many with an overbite learn to compensate for these changes, sometimes so well that the effects on speech are barely noticeable. It’s like watching a dancer adapt to an uneven floor, learning new ways to move gracefully despite the challenge. (3)
