Consult dentist on teeth whiteners

JAKARTA: A professor at the University of Indonesia's school of dentistry said patients need to check with their dentists about the benefits and side effects of teeth whitening products.

Edi Hartini Sundoro said Saturday that people must know how to use these products, many of them sold over the counter. She said teeth whiteners, which are popular in Indonesia, cannot whiten a person's teeth permanently but can return the patient's teeth to its original color.

She said the color of one's teeth was affected by acidic antibiotics like tetracycline, genetics and lifestyle habits including food, smoking, drinking coffee, tea and colas.

She said the teeth whitener's long-term effects are unknown and teeth might experience hypersensitivity.

Pregnant women, young children, people with weak gums or teeth with exposed fillings and braces should avoid the use of teeth whiteners.

Edi said teeth whiteners, usually imported from the United States, have already been fully researched and documented in the country of origin but there have only been three reports made in Indonesia, where the products have been on the market for one year.

She said she would like a governing body, separate from the Food and Drug Supervisory Board (POM), to monitor these types of products before reaching the consumer.

She said the whiteners are for cosmetic purposes and people should consult their dentists before using them. (01)