Image: roderickgarciadmd.com
Roderick Garcia, DMD, has provided cosmetic and family dentistry services to patients in and around Albuquerque, New Mexico, for nearly 35 years. During this time he has gained a depth of experience in different areas of dentistry, including pediatric orthodontics.
Whether a child needs braces or not is a recommendation that can only be made by a dental professional with experience in pediatric orthodontics. That said, families may notice several signs that can indicate the need for braces in the future. Early or delayed loss of baby teeth is one of the most easily observed indicators of a need for braces. The average child loses their baby teeth between ages six and 12, with adult teeth following a predictable pattern of emergence, beginning with the central incisor and concluding with the cuspid or second molar. Any irregularities in this regard may suggest a need for braces.
Braces address a number of quality of life issues related to oral health. A child that has difficulty biting or chewing their food may be a prime candidate for orthodontic intervention. Similarly, children who frequently bite their cheeks or the roofs of their mouths are likely to require braces. Additional signs that a child may need braces include breathing through the mouth, thumb or finger sucking, and recessed or protruding jaws.
For more information, please contact Roderick Garcia, DMD, at 505-821-6119 or www.roderickgarciamd.com.
Dr. Roderick Garcia DMD's Blog 