Q: I am a 24 years old male weighing 80 kg. My front two teeth are protruding forward by 5 mm. What causes people difficulty in pronouncing certain words clearly like - interpret, salt, risks, relaxant, vulnerable, generalise, generalisation and secretary. What is the treatment?

A:Speech sounds are produced by the precise placements of the tongue and/or lips and yes, condition of teeth can also affect speech clarity. Incorrect pronunciation (or mis-articulation) can occur due to various reasons related to these organs. Frequently, incorrect articulation can be a result of faulty speech models. An examination of the speech mechanism, corrective surgery / dental treatment (if necessary) and a period of speech therapy should help.