There are many teeth whitening options available today. From drugstore whitening strips and gels, to dental office whitening treatments, and everything in between. This includes LED light teeth whitening. LED is a minimally invasive treatment that can provide great results. Find out if it’s right for you.
Is LED Teeth Whitening Right For You? | Colgate®
How an LED Whitening System Works
There are two different types of whitening agents: bleaching agents, which remove stains on and below the surface of your teeth, and non-bleaching agents, which work on lifting surface stains. LED stands for Light Emitting Diode and is sometimes used alongside bleaching treatments. A bleaching solution is placed inside a mouth tray that fits over your front teeth. The LED light is then used to activate the whitening agents in the solution. You can purchase these LED whitening systems at the store or your dentist's office for home use. You can also opt to have LED treatments applied by your dental professional. An LED whitening system typically includes several vials of a whitening agent, applicators, mouth trays, and an LED light device. The specific ingredients and their strengths vary depending on where you get your whitening product. The strongest LED whitening systems are those administered in-office by your dentist. Products designed to be used at home, without the supervision of your dentist, will have a lower concentration of bleaching agents for safety reasons. Safety and LED Teeth Whitening Systems Is LED whitening safe?
For the most part, LED teeth whitening is considered safe.
Sensitivity may occur with this type of teeth whitening. This is related to the type of bleaching agent, strength, and usage. If you use a very strong bleaching agent, or you don't follow the instructions for use (e.g. leaving the product on longer than instructed), your risk of sensitivity and other side effects increases. When it comes to tooth sensitivity, everyone is unique in how they are affected, so it’s important to follow directions and only use your whitening kit as instructed. LED Whitening Systems vs. Other At-Home Treatments.
Which LED whitening system is going to give you the best results? Well, that depends on several factors.
Your results will depend on the natural shade of your teeth, how much whitening gel is used, and your treatment duration. But on the whole, it seems that people get the best results from in-office LED whitening as opposed to at-home treatments. What about other at-home whitening treatments? If you’re thinking about trying a non-LED home treatment, here’s what we can tell you.
Over-the-counter whitening products, such as whitening strips and whitening toothpaste, only lighten the surface of your teeth. They can give noticeable improvements, but not to the extent you'd expect to see from an LED whitening system. You can use a whitening toothpaste in conjunction with other whitening treatments (such as an LED whitening system). Whitening Is Not a Substitute for Regular Oral Care It’s important to remember that LED whitening treatments are not teeth cleaning systems.
Make sure to continue with your home oral care routine of brushing and flossing (also known as interdental cleaning).
And don't forget to keep up with your regular check-ups and professional cleanings. If you’re thinking about brightening up your smile, one thing is for sure -- there are many options available.
LED whitening is one that provides big results, and it can be done at home or in the dental office. If you're considering LED teeth whitening, talk to your dental professional about which system is best for you.
