Is it normal to have speech difficulties when you have braces?

Braces: Braces themselves should not make your speech worst. Appliances that are on the inside near the tongue however will affect the speech. There are lingual braces that go on behind your teeth nearer the tongue and these can affect your speech.

Usually not: As braces are placed on the out side surface of the teeth primarily, they don't affect speech. Speech sounds are formed by the tongue and inside surfaces of the palate and teeth. Lingual braces, braces on the inside of the teeth will affect speech, depending upon the individual.