(By Dr. Joseph D. Lim and Dr. Kenneth Lester Lim, BS-MMG, DDM, MSc-OI)
BRACES for fashion reasons.
They may not be worth the thousands of pesos if there really is no problem with receding gums or worn, loose and out of line teeth.
Never mind that braces are considered status symbols and must-have fashion accessories
There are even fashion braces that are decorated with designs and jewelry that are attractive to teenagers.
Fashion jewelries are a lot cheaper than braces meant to correct gum and teeth issues. Thatâs because fashion braces can be fitted by many dentists or, in many countries, even by do-it-yourself means.
According to researchers at the Jazan University in Saudi Arabia, studies have found that oral health related quality of life (OHRQoL) worsens once patients wear braces to correct oral health issues.
On the other hand, their emotional wellbeing improves when they wear fashion braces.
OHRQoL is used by researchers to determine oral health, functional wellbeing, emotional wellbeing, expectations, and satisfaction.
Researchers led by Zaki Hakami at the university have conducted the first study of its kind that investigated the effects of fashion braces on oral health related quality of life.
Investigating the impact of non-therapeutic braces on quality of life is as important as studying potential health risks, the researchers say. As a result, the researchers understand the consequences of fashion braces so that patients may provide informed consent.
The patients have realistic expectations and have a more accurate knowledge of the cost and benefits of the braces, according to the study published in the journal BMC Oral Health.
The researchers used the Oral Health Impact Profile-14 questionnaire to assess the OHRQoL of the 1,141 people who participated in the study.
A slight number or 3.4 percent of the participants had fashion braces. About a third or 33.7 percent had conventional braces that were fitted to correct oral health issues. Over half or 60 percent of the participants (control group) had no braces.
The participants were asked to rate the frequency of negative experiences in their oral health during the previous 12âmonths.
These include difficulty pronouncing words, a sense of worsening taste, painful aching in the mouth, discomfort when eating, feeling self-conscious or tense, interruptions of meals, difficulty relaxing, feeling embarrassed, being irritable towards other people, difficulty doing useful jobs, and feeling life, in general, is less satisfactory, Tibi Puiu writes in Health & Medicine.
Regardless of whether or not they wore braces, pain was most often reported. It was highest among those who wore braces for therapeutic reasons.
Those with fashion braces had the same levels of physical pain those in the control group. It suggested to the researchers that braces donât cause additional pain.
Study participants who didnât have braces had significantly higher psychological discomfort when compared to participants with fashion braces or therapeutic braces. This control group had significantly higher psychological disability, social disability, and handicaps.
While therapeutic and fashion braces had negative effects on functional limitation and physical disability, it was significantly greater for those with therapeutic braces. Those with fashion braces had the highest psychological and social improvements.
According to the study, therapeutic and fashion braces improve a personâs psychological and social well-being. However, those with fashion braces have much lower levels of psychological discomfort and psychological disability compared to those who wear braces for therapeutic reasons.
âFashion braces may indeed help people feel more confident and satisfied with themselves,â the study concludes.
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Dr. Joseph D. Lim is the former Associate Dean of the College of Dentistry, University of the East; former Dean, College of Dentistry, National University; Past President and Honorary Fellow of the Asian Oral Implant Academy; Honorary Fellow of the Japan College of Oral Implantologists; and Honorary Life Member of the Thai Association of Dental Implantology. For questions on dental health, e-mail jdlim2008@gmail.com or text 0917-8591515.
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Dr. Kenneth Lester Lim, BS-MMG, DDM, MSc-OI, graduated Doctor of Dental Medicine, University of the Philippines College of Dentistry, Manila, 2011; Bachelor of Science in Marketing Management, De la Salle University, Manila, 2002; and Master of Science (MSc.) in Oral Implantology, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany, 2019. He is an Associate professor; Fellow, International Congress of Oral Implantologists; Member, American Academy of Implant Dentistry and Philippine College of Oral Implantologists. For questions on dental health, e-mail limdentalcenter@gmail.com/PN
