Defying Western stigma and school-age angst over wearing braces, some Asian teens are reportedly buying fake braces as a status symbol.
This orthodontia oddity has flourished in Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia, according to outlets.
Kids are forking over $100 for the black-market fashion braces to fool observers into thinking they can afford the authentic -- and expensive -- mouthworks, AFP reports.
Mickey Mouse and Hello Kitty are among the popular designs, but whimsical themes aside, the braces can also be dangerous. As Vice.com notes, the faux braces have led to the deaths of two teens in Thailand, causing the government to crack down on vendors. Selling fashion braces now carries a punishment of up to six months in prison and a $1,300 fine, according to the report.
Read the entire article on huffingtonpost.com.
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