Yes, for most people, the tongue does touch the teeth at times during speech. However, it's not a constant contact, and the specific contact points depend on the sounds being produced.
The Role of the Tongue in Speech
The tongue is a crucial articulator in speech, meaning it plays a vital role in shaping sounds. It works in coordination with other articulators like the lips, teeth, alveolar ridge (the ridge behind your upper teeth), hard palate, soft palate (velum), and glottis (vocal cords).
Types of Tongue-Teeth Contact
The nature of the tongue touching teeth during speech varies based on the phoneme (distinct unit of sound) being articulated. Here are a few examples:
- Dental Sounds: Certain sounds, such as "th" in "thin" or "this," require the tongue to make contact with the front teeth. The tongue tip or blade touches the back of the upper front teeth to produce these sounds.
- Alveolar Sounds: For sounds like "t," "d," "n," "s," and "z," the tongue usually touches the alveolar ridge just behind the upper teeth, though slight contact with the back of the teeth can occur.
- Other Sounds: For many other sounds, the tongue does not directly touch the teeth. Its position varies depending on the vowel or consonant being formed, but it's generally close to but not directly contacting the teeth.
Tongue Thrust and Its Impact
As the provided reference mentions, tongue thrust is a condition where the tongue pushes forcefully against the teeth during swallowing, speaking, or even at rest. This consistent pressure can cause dental problems such as misaligned teeth. So, while occasional tongue-teeth contact is normal, excessive force or contact can be detrimental.
Summary
In conclusion, while your tongue likely touches your teeth at times when you talk, it is not a constant state and largely depends on the sounds you are forming. Normal contact is essential for certain sounds, but consistent, forceful contact, as seen in tongue thrust, can negatively affect dental health.
