How Does LED Teeth Whitening Work? (2024)

FAQs

How does LED teeth whitening work? ›

LED lights whiten your teeth through their photochemical impact on the tooth surface. On application, the light energy activates the hydrogen peroxide in teeth whitening serum and speeds up the bleaching process. Irrespective of the cause of yellow teeth, it is an effective treatment for enhancing any smile.

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.

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.

Classic at-home whitening strips are a great place to start, but teeth whitening kits that utilize the power of LED light might be even better. “While LED technology does not directly whiten your teeth, it helps to speed up the whitening process when using an at-home kit,” says bicoastal cosmetic dentist Dr.

(At-home gels are made with around 15 percent hydrogen peroxide.) So while there's evidence out there that LED lights are beneficial for teeth whitening, it seems to be limited to those found at the dentist's office. Sensitivity is a very common side effect of teeth whitening — both at home and in a doctor's office.

Although results cannot be achieved with an LED light alone, phenomenal results are produced when used with whitening gels.

The teeth are coated with the whitening solution, which contains either hydrogen peroxide or carbamide. An LED blue light is placed over the teeth and the solution is left in place for 30 to 60 minutes, or additional reapplications may be done.

Baking soda can be used with some water to remove the stains on the surface of the teeth. It can also be used with hydrogen peroxide to enhance its whitening effects. Baking soda can be used by individuals with regular toothpastes too. It is also used commercially in some teeth whitening products and toothpastes.

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.

Can you drink water after LED teeth whitening? ›

While beverages and liquids such as milk and water are okay to drink, dark-colored beverages should be avoided after a teeth whitening procedure. Avoid beverages such as coffee, dark sodas, red wines, and tea. You should also avoid dark juices including cranberry, grape, orange, and tomato juice.

How long does LED teeth whitening last? In general, LED teeth whitening is better than the average over-the-counter product, especially when performed by a well-trained dentist. The process itself is quick and takes about 20 minutes. The results of it, however, can last you for several months.

Use Baking Soda and Hydrogen Peroxide

This may be a more complex way to whiten your teeth, but it works incredibly well! Baking soda can help get rid of plaque that's on your teeth while hydrogen peroxide is an antibacterial agent that can whiten your teeth and keep them free of germs.

What Can Be Done to Whiten Yellow Teeth? If you're looking for a radical change in the coloring of your teeth, you need professional-grade whitening to get the job done. Your cosmetic dentist can provide treatment that penetrates deep into the enamel and removes years of stains with a powerful bleaching agent.

Option #1: In-Office Laser Whitening

Using lasers and peroxide-based whitening agents in a professional setting, this teeth whitening method provides dramatic, lasting results. While the whitening results are great, you should also consider the cost.

One of the most common side effects is tooth sensitivity, which can occur during or after treatment. Overuse or misuse of teeth whitening products can also lead to enamel damage, gum irritation, and discoloration. Additionally, some types of tooth discoloration may not respond well to teeth whitening treatments.

During the teeth whitening procedure, you may experience what we call “zingers.” Zingers are brief flashes of pain that happen when the nerves in your teeth react to the whitening process. This pain can continue even after you leave the office, which is why we always give our patients pain relievers to take afterwards.

Enjoying the most benefit from this gentle, effective procedure includes watching what you eat for the first day afterward. In general, you should avoid foods that are likely to cause re-staining or irritate sensitive teeth. After a short time you can resume a normal healthy diet, normally between 24-72 hours.