Consult dentist on teeth whiteners

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)