LED light teeth whitening has become a more and more popular way to whiten your teeth. It’s a great way to get a whiter, dazzling smile and feel more confident. But what’s in LED light teeth whitening and should you choose it amongst other teeth whitening products?
We’re going to break down what LED teeth whitening is, including an LED teeth whitening kit to help you decide if it’s the best whitening solution for you.
What is LED teeth whitening?
Let’s start at the beginning. LED stands for “light emitting diode”. It’s a type of light that’s used to activate a whitening product that you’ll apply to your teeth. When you use an at home LED teeth whitening kit, it’ll always come with some kind of whitening product and an LED light. You’ll apply the whitening solution to your teeth, then use the LED light to activate it or make it work faster.
Many LED teeth whitening kits will include a mould or a tray that you’ll add gel to before attaching the LED put and putting it into your mouth.
We’ve developed our Max White Ultimate LED Whitening Kit slightly differently. Rather than a mould that you’ll have to add gel to, it comes with a whitening pen that contains a serum that you’ll paint onto each tooth, before wearing the specially developed LED light tray. Our serum dries really quickly, so there’s no mess to deal with, and you’ll only have to wear the comfit fit tray for 10 minutes, twice a day. The LED light is also powered by your smartphone, so there’s no need to worry about replacing batteries either.
If you’re looking for more immediate results, you can choose professional whitening with your dental professional. They also sometimes use an LED teeth whitening system, but the whitening solution they use will have a higher percentage of whitening agent in it. When you visit your dental professional they’ll be able to let you know if this kind of LED light teeth whitening is right for you.
How does LED teeth whitening work?
As we mentioned previously, LED light doesn’t work by itself to whiten your teeth. LED teeth whitening relies on a whitening solution that usually contains either hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide and an LED light. The blue or indigo light from the LED activates the whitening solution and makes it work faster to remove stains.
The energy from the LED light works with something called a photochemical impact. This basically means that the energy from the light activates the whitening solution and speeds up the whitening process. If you’re using an at-home LED teeth whitening kit, you could start to see results relatively quickly, but the final result will only be visible over time.
How long does LED teeth whitening last?
The length of time that LED light teeth whitening lasts will be different for everyone depending on their personal circumstances. Generally speaking, LED teeth whitening can last anywhere between a few months and up to 3 years.
The length of time LED light teeth whitening will last will depend on a few of these factors:
Whether you’re using an at-home LED teeth whitening kit or whether you’re having it done professionally with a dental professional
Your lifestyle and diet – if you eat and drink a lot of stain causing food and drinks, you’ll build up stains quicker and the results may not last as long
Smoking or using tobacco products will also discolour and stain your teeth
If you don’t maintain good oral hygiene, stains can come back sooner
How often should you use LED teeth whitening?
There’s no exact answer to this question as it depends on which LED teeth whitening kit you’re using. Each manufacturer will have different recommendations, which is why it’s important for you to read the instructions and recommendations carefully before starting your whitening journey.
Some LED teeth whitening kits will recommend using the kit once a day, whereas others may recommend more. When choosing the best teeth whitening kit for you, you should look out for ones that are simple to use and don’t take up too much of your time. It’s also important to look for ones that are safe for your enamel so that you can be sure they don’t cause damage.
Are there side effects from LED teeth whitening?
While LED teeth whitening is generally considered safe, it’s good to know any of the possible teeth whitening LED light side effects. These might, in certain circumstances, include tooth sensitivity or gum irritation. This side effect is usually temporary and quite mild. If it’s quite painful, you should stop using the LED teeth whitening solution and consult your dental professional.
Dental hygiene and diet tips for white teeth
To maintain at-home LED teeth whitening results and keep your smile bright and white, here are some tips:
Practice good oral hygiene by brushing your teeth and using mouthwash twice a day. You should also floss daily.
Use a whitening toothpaste like our Colgate Max White Ultimate Toothpaste that reverses years of deep-set stains.
Limit foods and drinks that could cause staining, like coffee, tea, berries and dark-coloured sauces.
Acidic foods and drinks, such as citrus fruits and fizzy soft drinks can erode your enamel, making your teeth more susceptible to staining.
Visit your dentist regularly for a check-up and to professionally clean your teet
