What to know about at-home LED teeth whitening kits
DISCLAIMER: Smile Brilliant understands the function of blue LED lights because we used to sell them! We have since discontinued the sale of such products as our team (and 3rd party research) concluded that the light has little/no impact on the whitening of teeth.
WHAT DO BRANDS CLAIM IS THE BENEFIT OF THE LED LIGHT?
“LED teeth whitening lighs accelerate the whitening process by causing teeth whitening gel to work faster. Get results fast!”
FIRST: HOW DOES TEETH WHITENING GEL WORK?
The primary ingredient in teeth whitening gel is generally Hydrogen peroxide or a close derivative called carbamide peroxide. These molecules are made up of hydrogen and oxygen. As the molecule interacts with your teeth the hydrogen and oxygen break apart causing a deep cleaning action. The molecules will become active when exposed to your teeth, higher temperatures, or Ultraviolet light (UV). This is the reason that normal hydrogen peroxide (for cleaning wounds) is sold in a brown bottle (eliminates sunlight penetrating the bottle) and the instructions say to store in a cool place.
A good quality teeth whitening gel will be fresh (so it has not had time to break down from environmental elements) and is sold in packaging that does not allow light to penetrate.
In the case of Smile Brilliant, our teeth whitening gel syringes are individually wrapped in airtight, foil pouches. This eliminates the gel’s interaction with UV light and outside elements.
SO WHY DOES A LED LIGHT
NOT ACCELERATE TEETH WHITENING?
Ultraviolet (UV) light is a frequency of light that is proven to accelerate the whitening process. UV is a frequency of light most often associated with light from the sun, tanning bed lights, greenhouse lights, and in-office dentist “laser” teeth whitening. All of these create the UV frequency known to speed up the activation of hydrogen and carbamide peroxide.
In the case of at-home LED teeth whitening, these lights are a simple LED bulb that create a blue colored light. This is NOT UV light! For this reason, it has virtually zero impact on the teeth whitening process.
LED TEETH WHITENING LIGHTS ARE
INCREDIBLY CHEAP
All of the LED teeth whitening companies are purchasing from a handful of manufacturers overseas. We know this because several years ago, Smile Brilliant purchased them. These lights break often and cost less than $3. You can easily verify this by looking at the blue LED light you are considering and then searching websites like Alibaba.com for “LED Teeth Whitening Light”.
SO WHICH TYPE OF “LASER” TEETH WHITENING
ACTUALLY WORKS?
The only laser teeth whitening light that actually works are the UV producing lights that are offered at your local dentist.
These in-office procedures use devices that generate the ultraviolet frequency and can dramatically accelerate the whitening process. These devices are FDA regulated and cannot be sold for home use. Further, they can only be used by registered dentists.
Although in-office laser whitening is effective, it is expensive and is not an option for people with sensitive teeth. The process will remove more stains quickly but you will be required to make repeat visits throughout the year as you daily food/drink will continue to restain your teeth.
Honest dentists will tell you this and suggest that you purchase a set of custom-fitted whitening trays to take home with you.
SEE DENTIST WHITENING TRAY COSTS
CONCLUSION ON LED TEETH WHITENING KITS
Blue LED teeth whitening is one of the biggest teeth whitener gimmicks that has come online in many years. Our company has first-hand experience in selling these and understanding the lack of value they provide.
The blue LED lights offered to people for at-home use do nothing to whiten or speed up the price of whitening. This is simply a blue light that does not generate the same UV frequency used in in-office laser whitening.
The UV light used in dental offices is effective in speeding up the whitening product but is FDA regulated and can only be administered by a dentist.
The best way to get (and maintain) a professionally whitened smile is to use custom-fitted whitening trays and gel offered by your local dentist and Smile Brilliant.
The key to getting the best results during your teeth whitening experience is to ensure that each of your teeth maintain a consistent and even coverage for a period of time. No home LED light will speed up this process. For the best results and ease of maintenance, custom-fitted teeth whitening trays are the most highly recommended at-home teeth whitening product by dentists.
GET PROFESSIONAL TEETH WHITENING
Erin Stelbrink
Erin Stelbrink is a Registered Dental Hygienist with 5+ years of experience as a licensed hygienist and oral health care professional. She holds a passion for researching and acquiring awareness of the latest technologies and methods for providing valuable health care service and clinical treatment. Have more questions? Email Erin at [emailprotected]
FAQs
At-home LED teeth-whitening kits may deliver results. But the whitening you see is a result of the gel, not the light. “There is not enough data to show definitively that the LED offers a significant improvement over just using a tray with the gel,” says cosmetic dentist Dr.
Does LED light actually help whiten teeth? ›
LED teeth whitening kits can be an effective way to remove stains and keep your smile bright. However, every individual varies in how they respond to teeth whitening. Some people may experience tooth sensitivity or gum discomfort when using whitening products. This discomfort is usually temporary and not harmful.
How long does it take for LED teeth whitening to work? ›
Most people will see a noticeable difference after just one treatment, but for more severe cases, you may need up to four treatments. It's important to note that LED teeth whitening is not a permanent solution, so you'll likely need to repeat the treatment every few months to maintain your results.
What is the best teeth whitening product that actually works? ›
Known as the No. 1 dentist-recommended at-home teeth-whitening product, you can't go wrong with Crest 3D Whitestrips. They're formulated with the same hydrogen-peroxide whitening ingredient that dentists use, which will help enhance your smile after a recommended ten days of use.
Do LED toothbrushes actually whiten teeth? ›
The AutoBrush whitens teeth chemically by accelerating the effects of hydrogen peroxide. It also does this physically by helping an abrasive toothpaste remove stains from the tooth enamel. Not only is this LED light toothbrush effective, but it's also affordable and convenient to use.
How often can I whiten my teeth with LED light? ›
It's generally safe to use an LED teeth whitener once every 24-48 hours, depending on the strength of the device and the sensitivity of your teeth. The MOON Teeth Whitening Device is designed to be gentle and is safe to use twice a day for 14 days at a time.
Do blue lights really whiten teeth? ›
Blue light itself cannot whiten the teeth. Instead, blue light is used to activate a chemical reaction. You'll apply a specialized whitening gel to the patient's teeth containing either carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide. The blue light activates the compounds in the gel and helps break it apart faster.
Should I brush my teeth after LED whitening? ›
As for whether you should brush your teeth after using whitening strips, there is no definitive answer. While some experts recommend brushing immediately after removing the strips to ensure all residue is removed, others advise waiting for 30 minutes to allow the enamel to rehydrate and minimize potential abrasion.
Is LED whitening better than strips? ›
Over-the-counter whitening products, such as whitening strips and whitening toothpaste, only lighten the surface of your teeth. They work, but not to the same degree as an LED whitening system. You can use a whitening toothpaste in conjunction with other whitening treatments (such as an LED).
Is LED teeth whitening better than laser? ›
LED teeth whitening uses innovative LED light technology instead of laser, which activates the gel and jumpstarts the teeth-whitening process. This will produce marked results faster than laser whitening, and a single session lasts only 20 minutes.
The best way to whiten teeth by removing stains is whitening toothpaste and an electric toothbrush. For more dramatic results, the best teeth whitening method is a custom-fitted whitening gel tray. While many people aim for the sparkliest smile they can achieve, whiter teeth don't actually equal healthier teeth.
What is the number one teeth whitening method? ›
Laser Teeth Whitening. Currently, the preferred choice of tooth-whitening treatment is Philips' Zoom! laser teeth whitening. For laser teeth whitening, a patient will typically come in for an hour-long session and then use formulated take-home teeth-whitening trays for lasting results.
What teeth whitening do the Kardashians use? ›
Kim Kardashian turns her teeth temporarily purple as she promotes the V34 Colour Corrector Serum from the brand HiSmile.
How effective is LED teeth whitening? ›
On average, LED teeth whitening can lighten your smile 6-8 shades during a single whitening session. Overall, the addition of LED lights to whitening procedures has improved the effectiveness of whitening agents, allowing for brighter and whiter smiles.
Do any teeth whiteners actually work? ›
There are two types, two versions of peroxide, hydrogen peroxide, and carbamide peroxide, that are used for whitening. And they are effective. They do work. So if the whitening kit you're using lists that product, you can rest assured that it will be effective.
Does hydrogen peroxide whiten teeth? ›
Hydrogen peroxide is a common home remedy for whitening teeth. It is an ingredient in many teeth whitening solutions for use both at home and in the dentist's office. A simple hydrogen peroxide mouthwash may help remove mild stains.
Does red light therapy whiten teeth? ›
Each session can lighten teeth 2-6 shades whiter. Results are seen instantly.
