Have you heard of the halo effect? Your physical beauty spells others’ opinion about you. If you look good, you must be good. And this kind of bias judgement is present among kids.
The effect of halo effect on kids is not to be taken lightly. According to a study conducted among Brisitsh schoolchildren, the fourth leading cause of teasing is their teeth. Goofy, Bugs Bunny, Dracula and Fang are among the most common nicknames. The bad part is that children who were subject to teasings were also most likely subject to other abuses like physical and verbal intimidation. Other children were also teased for their weight, height and hair. But their teeth causes them the most embarassment. Continuous teasing and emotional abuse will lead the children to have low image and self-confidence.
A lot of children are receiving early dental or orthodontic care. For some, it can be as early as three years old. Early orthodontic visit can give way to better treatment results. Some problems are easier to treat while the child’s face and jawbone is not yet fully developed. If you’re thinking that there is little possibility that your child will have orthodontic problems, think about this: according to the American Association of Orthodontists, two in every three people have orthodontic problems. 25% of the cases are serious. Orthodontic problems are not limited to underbites or protruding teeth. Usually the problem lies in the structure of the jaw and face. But the cause of the problem is usually not obvious. This is why a trip to your orthodontist is important for your growing child.
