Daniel Lewis | April 05, 2022
Social media timelines are filled with folks using UV lights to whiten their teeth. From TikTok trends to Instagram influencers, people all over the internet are claiming these lights gave them the bright smile they’ve always wanted.
Are these lights upending the professional teeth whitening business, reshaping long-standing practices and crumbling traditional practices? No, they’re not. Because, bluntly, they’re a gimmick—little more than marketing fodder fed to masses in an effort to seem superior.
Clinical studies have proven (and continue to prove) these lights:
- Do not provide long term effects, rather the light gives a temporary whiter appearance to the teeth
- May harm oral tissues
- Create a greater possibility for teeth sensitivity through dehydration
Whitening teeth with UV light is a popular trend, but is there any science to back it up?
“Evidence from more than a dozen independent clinical trials shows that teeth whitening using lights or lasers will not improve whitening effect compared to quality whitening systems that don't require expensive additional equipment that add no value and simply increase the time and complexity of the treatment, and that this is a marketing tactic,”1 says Ultradent Director of Formulation Technology, Peter Allred. “Patients were introduced to the idea of light used whitening treatments years ago on shows like Extreme Makeover, and this has prevailed and stuck in the minds of patients when in reality, the light creates a very temporary whiter result, and can cause other negative side effects, including oral burns and pulpal stimulation.”
UV light can dehydrate teeth, causing sensitivity and shade rebound.
Whitening with a UV light puts teeth in a very unfamiliar situation. They’re typically in a dark environment with limited light exposure, “so when you introduce a continuous stream of very bright, high-intensity light, including UV and heat with some systems for a significant amount of time, this may not be good for your oral tissues,” Allred says.
How is it bad for oral tissues? Studies like one conducted by a team of doctors led by Dr. Ellen Bruzell of the Nordic Institute of Dental Materials concluded not only did whitening with a light show no greater long-term whitening effects than without, but "exposure to UV light created more exposed grooves which made the enamel surface of the teeth more vulnerable to stress and other related damage [ . . . ] The use of UV light for teeth whitening puts patients at risk of high levels of radiation to sensitive areas. Bleeding gums, sunburn, and severely burnt gums are among the common complaints, not to mention the possibility of getting cataracts, cancer, and other life-threatening illnesses."2
Effects from UV lights can be short-lived, as stains often return due to the light dehydrating teeth. “Lights used in many whitening systems simply dehydrate the teeth, which gives them a temporary whiter appearance,” Allred says. “It is not uncommon to find that many of these same patients experience a significant color rebound and in rare cases even return to the pre-treatment shade as their teeth fully rehydrate.” Issues resulting from dehydration can impact teeth in more ways than shade rebound—dehydration can be a factor in tooth sensitivity. "We don't recommend light or laser whitening because throughout our years of research, we've found that optimized whitening without lights or lasers is the safest, most effective way to a whiter smile which doesn't mislead the patient to thinking they ended up with one shade of white, only to experience extreme shade rebound a day or two later,” he says.
Opalescence Boost in-office whitening offers patients an in-office, dramatic whitening experience without the use of a light, helping patients to avoid unnecessary sensitivity.
There are safe and effective alternatives to whiten teeth without the use of a light: through prolonged exposure to pH stable and optimized active whitening agents on the tooth's surface.
Opalescence™ Boost™ in-office whitening system provides brighter, whiter teeth after just about one hour in the chair, without the use of a light. The powerful, 40% hydrogen peroxide gel is chemically activated and contains a high-water concentration to provide extra safeguards against dehydration and shade rebound. “Our products like Opalescence Boost in-office whitening, Opalescence™ PF whitening, and Opalescence Go™ take-home whitening produce beautiful, honest results that we're proud to stand by,” Allred adds.
Click here for more about Opalescence Teeth Whitening Systems.
FAQs
Therefore you should avoid using UV light kits at home, as the research isn't definitive enough to say that it's safe. Plus, the ADA has not approved this kind of therapy. Another potential issue in using UV teeth whitening is that there can be extreme user error, resulting in damage and even burns.
Does UV teeth whitening actually work? ›
UV light doesn't actually whiten the teeth all by itself. Instead, it expedites the whitening process by exciting the molecules in the peroxide gel, allowing the whitening agents to penetrate the enamel more quickly. This might also result in a longer-lasting sparkle than traditional teeth whitening treatments.
Is dental UV light safe? ›
Researchers have found out that the use of UV light for teeth whitening can put you at risk of high levels of radiation. Studies show that using UV light to whiten your teeth is four times more dangerous than sunbathing. It can also cause toothaches, mouth infections, stomach problems, and nerve damage.
Does the light actually do anything for teeth whitening? ›
LED lights are used in teeth whitening procedures for one key reason: research has shown they speed up the chemical reactions that remove the stains from teeth. As mentioned before, whitening agents are effective for 24 hours.
How often should you whiten your teeth with UV? ›
We suggest using only one treatment per day, as you could experience increased sensitivity. Read the carton and product insert for specific usage instructions and frequency. How do I keep my teeth white after using whitening treatments?
What's better, whitening strips or UV light? ›
Though some lights can add a temporary boost that fades within a day or so, none ultimately make your teeth whiter than trays of bleach or whitening strips alone. Nor can they shorten the amount of time you have to spend with a mouth full of whitening chemicals to achieve your desired tooth shade.
Do dentists use UV light to whiten teeth? ›
UV teeth whitening kits are similar to a common in-office teeth whitening treatment, which involves a dental professional applying a peroxide-based whitening gel to your teeth, and placing a blue UV light over the teeth.
Are there any dangers with UV light? ›
UV rays, either from the sun or from artificial sources like tanning beds, can cause sunburn. Exposure to UV rays can cause premature aging of the skin and signs of sun damage such as wrinkles, leathery skin, liver spots, actinic keratosis, and solar elastosis. UV rays can also cause eye problems.
Is there a healthy way to whiten teeth? ›
Use Baking Soda and Hydrogen Peroxide
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. When you mix these two together, you'll create a paste-like substance.
What is the best tooth whitening product? ›
The Best Teeth Whitening Kits, According to Dentists
- OpalescenceGo Prefilled Teeth Whitening Trays, Set of 10. ...
- Burst Prefilled Whitening Trays, Set of 3. ...
- PhilipsZoom NiteWhite Kit, Set of 3. ...
- Dr. ...
- Colgate Optic White ComfortFit Teeth Whitening Kit. ...
- Auraglow Teeth Whitening Kit. ...
- Crest3D Whitestrips, Pack of 22.
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.
How much is UV teeth whitening? ›
The most common type of professional teeth whitening is in-office bleaching, which usually costs between $500 and $1,000 per session with a national average of $650 per visit.
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.
What are the cons of UV teeth whitening? ›
In addition, UV lighting comes with short and long-term risk factors that are important to make note of. Short-term risk factors include burns and bleeding of the gums, tooth sensitivity and even sunburn to the skin, while long-term risk factors may lead to wear on the teeth's enamel and even oral cancer.
Do home UV teeth whitening kits work? ›
Although home teeth whitening kits can be effective in whitening teeth, they can only really whiten teeth by a few shades. If you want a drastic change in teeth whiteness (i.e. you have severe teeth staining), home teeth whitening kits may not be enough.
Is crest LED light safe? ›
The LED teeth whitening light is safe to use as directed and helps the ingredients in Crest 3DWhitestrips work more effectively by safely penetrating the enamel surface to weaken tough, yellow stains.
Are LED lights better than UV for teeth whitening? ›
There is no one definitive answer to the question of which teeth whitening method is better. It ultimately depends on each individual's needs and preferences. Both are non-invasive, affordable options and provide instantly whiter teeth. Compared to UV light, LED light is safer but is still as effective.
How much does it cost to get your teeth whitened with UV? ›
However, prices can range from $350 to $1,200 depending on the dentist, the type of teeth whitening treatment performed, and the severity of the patient's tooth discoloration. This price may also include at-home maintenance and regular follow-up visits.
Do fake teeth glow in UV? ›
The black light emits a kind of ultraviolet radiation that is invisible to the human eye, but specific fluorescent substances absorb it, making certain materials glow. In Krys' case, the light made her implants glow brightly while her real teeth looked dark purple, she said in the video.
How often can you whiten your 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.
UV light can dehydrate teeth, causing sensitivity and shade rebound.
Opalescence Boost in-office whitening offers patients an in-office, dramatic whitening experience without the use of a light, helping patients to avoid unnecessary sensitivity.