Summer is here, and it’s not just the hot Texas sun that’s beaming more than ever—smiles should be too! With school out and schedules easing up, it’s the perfect time to focus on oral health and aesthetic improvements that last beyond the season. At Dr. Tad Morgan’s practice, we offer a suite of services tailored to make the most of these warmer months, from starting orthodontics to exploring cosmetic dentistry and initiating myofunctional therapy.
Starting Orthodontics in Summer
Ideal Timing for Children and Teens
Summer provides an excellent opportunity for children and teenagers to begin orthodontic treatment. With school activities on pause, your child can adjust to the feel of braces or aligners without the added pressure of a busy academic schedule. Additionally, the more relaxed summer days allow for extra time to learn how to care for their orthodontic appliances effectively.
Benefits of Early Assessment
Early orthodontic assessments can lead to simpler, more effective treatment plans. Dr. Tad Morgan emphasizes the importance of catching misalignments and bite issues early on, ideally when children are between ages seven and ten. Starting treatment during this developmental stage can lead to better outcomes and, in some cases, shorter treatment times.
Enhancing Smiles with Cosmetic Dentistry
Summer Events and Picture-Perfect Smiles
Summer is packed with photo opportunities: vacations, family reunions, and weddings. It’s the perfect time to enhance your smile. Dr. Tad Morgan’s cosmetic dentistry services, including teeth whitening, veneers, and bonding, provide quick improvements, ensuring you look your best for those special summer snapshots.
Comprehensive Options for Every Need
Whether you’re looking to brighten your smile with professional whitening treatments or seeking more comprehensive solutions like porcelain veneers, our practice offers the latest in cosmetic dentistry. These procedures not only improve the aesthetics of your smile but also offer durability and stain resistance, perfect for a lasting transformation.
Understanding and Treating Tongue Ties
What is a Tongue Tie?
A tongue tie, medically known as ankyloglossia, occurs when the band of tissue (lingual frenulum) that connects the bottom of the tongue to the floor of the mouth is unusually short, tight, or thick. This condition can restrict the tongue’s movement, making it difficult to speak, eat, and in some cases, breathe properly. It’s especially important to address in children, as it can interfere with eating, speech development and oral hygiene.
Signs and Symptoms
Parents might notice difficulty breastfeeding in infants, or speech issues as the child grows. Other symptoms can include difficulty sticking out the tongue past the lower front teeth or moving the tongue from side to side. Tongue ties can also lead to problems later in life, such as challenges with oral hygiene and dental spacing due to the restricted movement of the tongue.
Summer: The Perfect Time for Correction
Summer can be the best time to address tongue ties, especially in children. Without the demands of a school schedule, kids have more time to recover and adjust to the change. The procedure to correct a tongue tie, called a frenectomy, is quick and minimally invasive. Dr. Tad Morgan’s practice uses precise, state-of-the-art technology to perform frenectomies with minimal discomfort and quick healing times.
Benefits of Treatment
Treating a tongue tie can have immediate and long-term benefits. For infants, it often means more effective breastfeeding and the prevention of nutritional issues. For older children and adults, it can significantly improve speech and make oral hygiene easier, helping prevent dental decay and gum disease. Overall, addressing a tongue tie not only enhances oral function but also boosts overall quality of life.
Starting Myofunctional Therapy
Addressing Oral Health Early
Myofunctional therapy is an innovative approach to treating oral posture issues that can impact breathing, swallowing, and speech. It is also a beneficial treatment in conjunction with treating a tongue tie. Summer is a suitable time to start this therapy, especially for kids, as it involves exercises that are easier to integrate into a child’s routine when they’re not managing school responsibilities.
Long-Term Benefits
Beginning myofunctional therapy during the summer allows for consistent practice and adjustment, setting the foundation for better oral health habits. This therapy helps in aligning the jaw and improving breathing patterns, which can enhance overall health and wellness.
Why Choose Summer for Dental Care?
Less Stress, More Focus on Health
With the slower pace of summer, families have more time to focus on health care routines. Scheduling appointments with Dr. Tad Morgan during this season means you can take the time to discuss your options thoroughly and plan treatments without the rush of the school year.
Preparing for the Year Ahead
By addressing dental needs in the summer, you can enter the fall season ready and refreshed, with dental concerns already managed. This proactive approach ensures that dental health supports overall health, keeping you and your family active and focused on what’s important as the year progresses.
Are You Ready?
Summertime is the ideal season to focus on improving oral health and enhancing smiles. At Dr. Tad Morgan’s practice, we are dedicated to providing high-quality, personalized dental care. Whether it’s starting orthodontic treatment for your child, enhancing your smile with cosmetic procedures, or beginning myofunctional therapy, our team is here to ensure that your family’s dental health is in top shape for summer and beyond.
Embrace the season by giving your oral health the attention it deserves—a healthy smile is a perfect complement to a summer full of memories! We’d love to be a part of your summer plans, so call us for an appointment today.