Fake Braces Warning Issued In Asia

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Health experts have warned young people in Indonesia,Thailand and China against wearing fake fashion braces; the braces, which retail for around $100, have become a fashion trend among teenagers, but experts believe that they are very dangerous and should be banned.

The fake braces have become a trend due to the high cost of orthodontics; fashion braces, known as ‘behel’ in Indonesia, can be purchased online or from open-air street markets and fitted at beauty salons.

The braces may seem like a harmless fashion accessory, but two deaths have been linked to the fake orthodontics. In Thailand, the sale and manufacture of fashion braces has been banned following the death of a 17 year old boy from Kohn Kaen. Investigations carried out after the death revealed that the cause of death was an infection, which contributed to heart failure; the infection affected the thyroid glands and was caused by the braces.

Police also revealed that the death of a 14 year old girl from Chonburi was believed to be linked to the fashion braces.

Thai authorities have now banned the braces and anyone found selling them could face a six month jail sentence and a fine of up to $1300; anyone found importing the braces could face up to 12 months in jail.

The Thai Consumer Protection Board stated that the wires of the braces were dangerous because they contained lead.

 

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