Mouth Clicks – Every Voice Actor’s Nightmare (And How to Fix Them)
Every voice actor knows those pesky mouth noises that sneak into our recordings. We cringe when we hear them and wish they would just disappear. Luckily, I’ve heard (and tested) countless tips to combat these mouth clicks, and today, I’m sharing what has actually worked for me.
Like most things in audio, it’s always better to prevent the issue before hitting record. While there are great tools that can help clean up mouth noises in post, the best approach is to minimize them from the start.
The most common advice you’ll hear for reducing mouth clicks is drinking water—and for good reason. Mouth clicks are usually caused by dehydration, which leads to thicker saliva that creates noise when your tongue and jaw move while speaking. But here’s the thing: you can’t just chug a bunch of water right before recording and expect instant results. Hydration takes time. Ideally, you should be drinking enough water throughout the day so that your body (and mouth) is properly hydrated before you even step into the booth. (That said, be careful not to overdo it—too much water can also lead to excess saliva, which can cause more clicks!)
Besides water, there are a few other tricks people swear by. Some recommend eating potato chips, sucking on lollipops, or brushing their teeth before recording. Personally, I haven’t found chips to be all that effective, and I haven’t tried the lollipop trick. Brushing your teeth and using mouthwash can temporarily help, but it’s not a guaranteed fix.
What has worked consistently for me? Green apples. Specifically, Granny Smith apples. The tartness and acidity help break down thick saliva, leaving your mouth feeling clean and free of excess stickiness. On days when I have a lot of back-to-back auditions, I bring an apple into my booth and take a bite between sessions—it makes a noticeable difference.
If you’re struggling with mouth clicks, consider how close you are to the mic. Getting too close can make clicks sound even louder and more pronounced, while pulling back a bit can help reduce them. However, stepping too far away from the mic can pick up more of your recording space—so it’s all about finding the right balance.
Even with the best prevention methods, some mouth clicks will still sneak in. This is where editing tools come in handy. There are plenty of plugins out there that can help clean up mouth noises, but my go-to is iZotope RX’s Mouth De-clicker.
I’m not exaggerating when I say this tool works like magic. With just one click, 90% of the clicks in my recording disappear—saving me tons of time and frustration. If you’re serious about voiceover work, investing in a tool like this can be a game-changer.
Mouth clicks are something every voice actor deals with, but they don’t have to ruin your recordings. Staying hydrated, keeping a green apple handy, adjusting your mic placement, and using post-processing tools when necessary can help keep those pesky noises under control.
At the end of the day, voiceover is all about delivering a clean, professional performance—so the less time spent fighting mouth noises, the better!