Protruding teeth in children should be corrected at a young age, or the condition may lead to more serious consequences such as a change in facial shape, an orthodontist says.
The problem called for increased awareness among parents and dentists, as Hongkongers tended to wait too long before receiving treatment, Dr Vincent Leung Fun-shing said.
'It's better to have the problem fixed when they are young, because children have a greater metabolism rate and it won't take as long to correct the teeth,' he said.
Most cases of protruding teeth were congenital, Leung said. But he added that habits such as thumb sucking and breathing through the mouth during childhood could also be contributory factors.
The condition, mostly occurring in the upper jaw, could increase the risk of periodontal disease, change a patient's facial shape and, in more serious cases, affect speech, the Society of Orthodontists said. Some patients might even require surgery to correct their facial shape.
Figures from the society show 88 per cent of Hongkongers have crowded teeth and 30 to 50 per cent have protruding teeth.