Do Teeth Whitening Lights Work Or Is It Just A Gimmick?

Dealing with discoloured teeth is a common dental issue and there are several methods available to manage it such as dental crowns, dental veneers or teeth whitening. Among these options, teeth whitening is considered the most conservative and least invasive.

In recent years, teeth whitening lights have become a popular addition to many whitening kits, promising faster and better results. But do these lights really work or are they just a marketing gimmick? 

Let’s shine a light on this intriguing topic!

What is a teeth whitening light?

How do teeth whitening lights help?

Teeth whitening lights come in three main types, that is LED light teeth whitening (Light Emitting Diode),  halogen lights and UV lights (Ultraviolet) . When getting your teeth professionally whitened at a dental clinic, a whitening gel is first applied to the teeth. A teeth whitening light source is then positioned to fully expose the gel to its light. So how does the light help?

Well, the primary ingredients in teeth whitening gels are hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide, which are compounds composed of hydrogen and oxygen. They work by reacting with and breaking down pigmented molecules (teeth stains) into smaller, less coloured molecules thereby making the tooth appear lighter and brighter. Light activation helps in the tooth whitening process.

Simply put, these lights speed up the chemical reactions that break down teeth stains. This acceleration allows for effective targeting and removal of stains during the active period of the whitening agent. As a result, teeth whitening lights enable more stains to be removed within the first 24 hour period, contributing to a brighter smile.

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So, do teeth whitening lights actually work?

In 2012, a study¹ demonstrated positive results from combining whitening gel with a teeth whitening light during in-office treatments. This is supported by a 2016 study², which showed that using teeth whitening lights in such procedures was more effective than using whitening gel alone.

However, it's important to consider that these studies utilised high concentrations of whitening agents—35% carbamide peroxide and 37.5% hydrogen peroxide respectively. These concentrations are typical in professional or in-office teeth whitening treatments. In contrast, at-home whitening gels typically only contain around 10-15% concentration. This difference suggests that while teeth whitening lights offer more effective teeth whitening, these advantages are particularly noticeable when paired with the higher concentration gels commonly used in dental clinics.

Furthermore, there are portable blue lights marketed for at-home use. It's important to note that these at-home teeth whitening lights typically use a basic LED bulb emitting blue light, which generally lacks the efficacy of the professional-grade equipment found in dental clinics for enhancing the teeth whitening process.

Despite the effectiveness of these teeth whitening products and methods, it’s important to note that some individuals may experience tooth sensitivity during or after the treatment. Overall, teeth whitening work varies depending on the method used and the individual's dental health.