A teeth whitening light is a light used in conjunction with a whitening gel to intensify the effects. Lights commonly used for this purpose include UV, LED and halogen. After the whitening gel is applied to the teeth, the light is shone on the teeth to activate the whitening agent – usually hydrogen peroxide.

There are various options for teeth whitening light treatments that can be used at home or applied by your dentist. There are primarily three types of lights used:

• UV (ultraviolet) light is a form of magnetic radiation that heats up in the tooth whitening process. A type of UV light used in teeth whitening is a laser. Teeth whitening employing UV light is usually performed in a dental office because of the burn risk of using UV at home.

• Halogen light also emits heat produced by metal tungsten in the heart of the light. As with UV light, halogen light is best used in dental offices.

• LED (light-emitting diode) produces blue light to intensify the teeth-whitening process without radiating heat to the teeth. You can find LED devices used in both over-the-counter products and treatments performed by your dentist.  

Is using light activation worth it, though? In a study published in the Journal of Conservative Dentistry, researchers found that laser, halogen, and LED light activation produced greater lightening of tooth shade and maintained the lighter shade longer than non-light-activated teeth whitening.

Try our Optic White® ComfortFit LED to get the teeth whitening you want!

There is unfortunately not enough conclusive research to say that UV light teeth whitening is safe. Home kits in particular are subject to user error, as it can be difficult to determine the concentration of bleaching gels and how much to use; too much or too strong, and you risk the gel conducting too much light and burning your gums. And even in the proper amounts, you risk gum irritation and tooth sensitivity. If you do opt for UV light teeth whitening, it’s important to get it done by a dentist so they can take measures to protect your teeth and gums.  

LED whitening is generally considered to be a much safer form of light teeth whitening, even when done at home with a device like the Colgate® Optic White® ComfortFit LED Teeth Whitening Kit. The ultraviolet rays emitted by LED devices are not as strong as those of UV light devices, so they’re much safer and gentler on your gums and teeth (while still providing excellent whitening results). And the gel is formulated with enamel-safe ingredients and a carefully controlled concentration of bleaching agent, so you can whiten without uncomfortable side effects. For best results, be sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions exactly as written.  

If you have questions about teeth whitening lights, have a conversation with your dental professional about the treatments available. They'll help you decide on the right teeth whitening light and activation methods for you.