Find Out if and How LED Teeth Whitening Kits Actually Work

Given the abundance of teeth whitening procedures and products on the market, there’s no reason why you can’t have a bright, beautiful smile. These products and procedures vary in their effectiveness and cost. One of the more popular of these products is LED teeth whitening kits. A typical kit includes an LED light, teeth whitening gel and a mouth tray. Quality LED teeth whitening kits also include a manual that provides clear instructions on how to use it. This article looks into how well this method works, how safe it is and how it compares to alternative teeth whitening products and procedures.

How LED Teeth Whitening Kits Work

Light-activated teeth whitening is a process that uses light to catalyze the whitening effects of a peroxide-based gel. This process uses various forms of lights, including LED (light-emitting diode), halogen or ultraviolet light. Blue LED light is preferable because it’s the safest, most potent and most cost-effective form of light for teeth whitening. During the LED teeth whitening process, the LEDs emit only blue light, which accelerates the oxidation process in the teeth whitening gel. The whitening gel is a bleaching agent, such as hydrogen peroxide, that removes stains through oxidation. It’s active for about 24 hours. So, using LED light to catalyze the oxidation speeds up and intensifies the whitening process. Depending on your oral habits, the effect of LED teeth whitening last about a month. It may last longer if you’re deliberate about your choices of foods, snacks and drinks. For example, routine consumption of wine, tea or coffee may stain your teeth. Smoking stains your teeth even faster and more intensely.

LED Teeth Whitening Is Safe

According to a 2014 literature review of in vitro and clinical studies, LED teeth whitening is generally safe and effective, provided you follow the manufacturer’s protocol correctly. Worth noting is that LED teeth whitening may lead to some sensitivity depending on the type of whitening gel used and the usage. This sensitivity varies from one person to another. So, be sure to consult a dental health professional to help you determine the best teeth whitening method for you.

How an LED Teeth Whitening Kit Compares to Other Teeth Whitening Methods

There are two alternatives to LED teeth whitening:

• Using whitening toothpaste at home
• Undergoing a professional teeth whitening procedure at a dental office

Whitening toothpaste removes stains on your teeth’s surface. It’s the gentlest teeth whitening method, making it suitable for sensitive teeth. This method doesn’t use bleaching agents. Instead, it relies on a polishing action that produces less noticeable whitening results, visible only after weeks to months of repeated use. Professional whitening is a procedure you undergo at a dental office. It often involves using a whitening agent stronger than the one used in whitening toothpaste or LED teeth whitening kits. So, the color change is often fast and quickly noticeable. This procedure may also involve the use of light.

Yes, LED Teeth Whitening Works

LED teeth whitening works when you follow the protocol correctly and maintain good oral health habits afterward.