Dental malocclusions and language development in children

Many studies have linked dental malocclusions to dental malocclusions with language disorders in childhood, so it is important to understand what they are and how certain oral habits can favor their development. Addressing disorders such as malocclusions and dyslalia with the help of both dental and language specialists will make it much easier to detect and prevent them in time.

Language disorders in childhood

Language disorders are difficulties that can affect children's ability to speak, pronounce, understand or use language correctly. They are not only a communication obstacle, but can also affect their learning and socialization. In infancy, Dyslalia is one of the most commonwhich consists of having problems in saying some phonemes without any underlying neurological damage. They can be caused by:

• Phoneme substitution: they change one sound for another, such as "tasa" instead of "casa".
• Omission of sounds: sounds or letters are left out, such as "pencil" for "pencil".
• Distortion due to bad articulationmispronouncing the sound, "cado" instead of "carro".

There are several types of dyslalia and different main causes for each of them:

What is dental malocclusion?

It is the incorrect alignment of the upper and lower teeth, which affects the way they fit together. Therefore, we refer to that situation where the meshing between the teeth does not occur properly. It can happen because the teeth are misaligned or because the upper and lower dental arches do not relate properly to each other, making it more difficult to chew and speak. If not treated in time, they can cause jaw discomfort and tooth wear.

The causes of malocclusions are usually a combination of genetic factors and oral habits. genetic factors and oral habits that boys and girls can acquire in childhood and repeat over a long period of time.

How malocclusion affects language development

To speak well, the organs involved in pronunciation, which are the tongue, lips, teeth and palate, must be well coordinated. That is why it is so important to prevent malocclusions. It is not only for aesthetics or to ensure a good bite, but also for a correct development of language. Dental malocclusions alter the points and modes of articulationFor example, an open bite prevents the upper and lower incisors from coming into contact to make sounds such as /s/.

The importance of early detection and prevention

It is essential that children have regular visits to both the pediatric dentist and the speech both the pediatric dentist and the speech and language therapist to check that the teeth are growing well and to detect in time alterations in the growth of their jaws, teeth and language development. A multidisciplinary intervention makes correction easier. Both fields work together to offer a personalized treatment.

During childhood, many children have speech problems due to malocclusions, but they are detected late. Therefore, depending on the type of dental malocclusion and its severity, preventive or interceptive orthodontics (such as braces or removable appliances), speech therapy or myofunctional appliances to modify habits such as pushing the tongue when swallowing could be given. In any case, specialists will guide families so that they know how to help at home, either with simple exercises, changes in habits or by teaching them the warning signs.

Frequently Asked Questions

At what age are speech disorders such as dyslalia treated?

Many specialists agree that the best age to detect and treat dyslalia is between 3 and 5 years of age. In the preschool stage, speech is still being formed and it is easier to correct errors. In addition, they learn faster and adapt better.

What is a palatal expansion appliance for?

Palatal expansion is an appliance used to widen the upper jaw when it is narrower than normal. It corrects crossbites or palatal narrowing, creates space to align the teeth and improves nasal breathing as well as speech.

Can malocclusion affect children's self-esteem?

Yes, malocclusion can lead to insecurity and embarrassment when speaking, smiling or pronouncing certain sounds. This can diminish self-confidence and lead to social isolation, which can result in school or emotional adjustment problems.