Primary and secondary school pupils who have teeth that stick out have been advised to get braces.

Dr Nigel Harradine, chairman of the British Orthodontic Society, answered a query in the Irish Independent from a parent about what they should do as their ten-year-old daughter does not want to wear a brace.

The guardian asked whether she is likely to grow out of her sticking-out teeth.

Dr Harradine advised that the condition of her teeth is likely to remain throughout the girl's life, as "very few people are lucky enough to naturally grow out of their protruding teeth".

The doctor went on to say that the best age to have braces put in is between ten and 13 and added that many kids heading to secondary school will have to wear them too, so they will be in the same position.

According to the British Orthodontic Society, this is also a good age as most kids will have their permanent teeth by then.

Dr Harradine added that there are many benefits to having dental braces, as having sticking-out teeth can make eating some foods more difficult, they may be the cause of being teased at school and it could make teenagers feel self-conscious.

Written by Donal Walsh

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