Changes that come with growing
A mouth in transition can temporarily change how a child forms some sounds.
- Front teeth that have fallen out and not yet been replaced
- New permanent teeth still growing into place
- Baby teeth lost earlier than expected
Teeth and talking
Pediatric Dentistry for Polo Park Residents
Your child’s S sounds have gone slushy since the front teeth left, or you’ve wondered whether a bite might be getting in the way of certain words. Teeth do play a part in speech. A dental visit can look at that part of the picture.
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Where speech meets the mouth
Polo Park Parents Asking How Teeth Affect Speech
Baby teeth help children speak, along with helping them eat and holding space for the permanent teeth to come. So it’s quite reasonable to wonder about teeth when you hear a change in how your child pronounces things.
A dentist isn’t assessing speech itself, but can examine the teeth, gums and developing bite and tell you what’s there. That exam, for families in Polo Park, an area in Winnipeg, happens at Winnipeg North Dental on McPhillips Street.
Explore pediatric dentistry
A look at the dental side
Missing teeth, new teeth and bite development can all be checked and explained.
Bring what you’ve noticed
Which sounds changed, and when, gives you something concrete to discuss.
Clear about the limits
Speech concerns may also belong with another professional, and it’s fine to ask.
The dental part of the puzzle
What can be looked at during a child’s visit.
Your child’s age and ability to cooperate will influence how much is possible, and not all of this will apply to everyone.
Things worth a closer look
Certain findings might call for monitoring, preventive care or a further conversation.
- How the upper and lower teeth line up
- A thumb or soother habit that’s still going on
- Decay or discomfort that’s changed how a child uses their mouth
No one can promise that dental care will change the way a child speaks. What we can do is explain what we find.
Getting a chatty child in the chair
Plenty of talking, in the right places.
Children can ask and answer along the way. As always, the appointment goes at a rate your child can manage.
Request your visit- 01
Say hello and show the tools
Instruments get named and shown in everyday words before they’re ever used.
- 02
Check how things are growing
The dentist looks over development, teeth and gums, stopping if your child needs it.
- 03
Prevent what can be prevented
Depending on age and risk, a cleaning, fluoride or X-rays could be recommended.
- 04
Ask your speech question
Raise it alongside brushing, diet, habits and recall timing during your time with the dentist.
What to bring to the discussion
Listen for specifics before you come.
It’s much easier to discuss “she started struggling with S after losing her top teeth” than a general impression. With your child, stick to something simple: the dentist will count and care for their teeth. Don’t make the visit about how they talk.
Please include any medications, allergies, previous dental experiences, recent pain or injuries, and communication preferences.
Things to jot down
- Sounds or words that have become harder to say
- Whether the change started around a lost tooth
- Any thumb sucking or soother use
- Opinions you’ve received from anybody else who’s heard your child talk
A long white desk with a flowering plant under ceiling lights, and a dental chair facing a small screen.
Sensitive about sounding different
Don’t turn pronunciation into a performance.
A child who has been corrected a lot may feel shy about talking at all, including at a new office. Mention it to us if so. Clear language, unhurried explanations and short breaks give them time, and they won’t be asked to recite words to prove a point.
Time to answer
A hesitant speaker gets the room to reply, and doesn’t need to be hurried along.
Other ways to say it
Pointing or nodding is a perfectly good response, if that’s easier for your child.
A familiar item
Having a small comfort object along is fine if it helps a quiet child relax.
Listening over the coming months
Watch how things change as teeth arrive.
If the change is linked to a stage of tooth loss, you may hear it shift as new teeth come in. Note what you notice, keep up home care, and bring it up again at the following appointment.
01
Note the dates
Record when teeth come in alongside anything you notice about how your child speaks.
02
Ask about the next step
If your concern is about speech itself, ask who would be the right person to talk to.
03
Stay with brushing
New permanent teeth are worth looking after carefully while they settle into place.
Questions after the visit are welcome by phone at (204) 338-3003.
Talk with our team
Winnipeg North Dental
Unit-5 2358 Mcphillips Street, Winnipeg, MB R2V 4J6Get directions (opens in a new tab)Coming in
Polo Park Children’s Dental Visits, at Our McPhillips Street Clinic
Exams for your child are done at Winnipeg North Dental, Unit 5, 2358 McPhillips Street, Winnipeg. See the directions link for help finding us.
The form starts a conversation rather than locking in a time. A time is set only after the clinic contacts you and it’s confirmed.
Questions about coverage?
Talk with our team before your visit or learn about CDCP.
A little clarity before your visit
Your questions, answered.
Helpful details about pediatric dentistry in Polo Park.
Ask our teamHow does a Polo Park parent request a visit about teeth and speech?
Fill out this page’s form or call (204) 338-3003, mentioning your child’s age and what you’ve been hearing. A short description is all we need to start.
Can missing front teeth change how my child talks?
Teeth have a role in forming sounds, so it’s common for parents to wonder. The dentist can see which teeth are absent and how the new ones are progressing.
Can a dentist diagnose a speech problem?
That isn’t what a dental exam is for. It can tell you about the teeth and bite, and you’re welcome to ask whether it makes sense to speak with another professional about speech.
Could a soother be behind this?
It’s worth mentioning any soother use, because such habits are something we ask about when a child’s teeth and bite are being checked. The dentist will look at what’s actually happening before commenting.
If baby teeth come out early, could that matter for speech?
Baby teeth help with speech and hold space for adult teeth, so tell us if one was lost early. The dentist can look at the area and explain what it may mean.
My child won’t talk to strangers. Is that a problem?
Not for us. You can fill in the details on their behalf, and let us know beforehand how your child prefers to communicate.
My child knocked out or broke a tooth. Should I worry about speech now?
Deal with the injury first by phoning the clinic promptly. If there’s major injury to the face, a loss of consciousness, heavy bleeding that won’t stop or any trouble breathing, get emergency medical care before calling.
Keep exploring
Other pages that may help your family.
Read about regular check-ups, how decay gets repaired, and what happens if your child has dental pain or an injury.
Check-ups & Cleanings
Book dental check-ups and cleanings in Winnipeg for preventive exams, tartar removal, gum monitoring and personalized home-care guidance.
Explore serviceDental Fillings
Restore cavities, chips and worn areas with tooth-coloured dental fillings in Winnipeg. Learn when repair is needed and what happens during treatment.
Explore serviceEmergency Dentistry
Contact Winnipeg North Dental for urgent help with tooth pain, swelling, broken or knocked-out teeth, lost restorations and dental injuries.
Explore serviceHave an urgent concern? Call (204) 338-3003 to discuss availability.
Heard something new?
Have the teeth side of it checked.
Tell us your child’s age and which sounds you’ve noticed when you send the request. A reply from the clinic will sort out when you can come.