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A bright, white smile is something many of us aim for. If you’ve had a teeth whitening treatment at the dental clinic, you might remember the dentist applying whitening gel to your teeth and then shining a blue light on them for a while. You were probably told that this light helps with the whitening process, but have you ever wondered what it actually is and how it works?
Well, these days, the blue light used is usually an LED light. It is designed to speed up the whitening process. However, in the past, UV (ultraviolet) lights were extensively used. They have mostly been phased out now because of safety concerns. Curious why? Let’s dive into it!
Why does teeth whitening process require lights at all?
Teeth whitening lights are key to making the whitening gel work better. The LED light activates the whitening gel that have ingredient peroxide whitening agents like hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide. These chemicals break down into oxygen and water when they hit the light, to brighten teeth stained by smoking, coffee or wine. This reaction is what helps lift and remove stains from your teeth. Essentially, this process is how to make teeth white. The light speeds up the entire process so you see results faster!
That said, teeth whitening gels will still work without the light—they just won’t be as quick or effective. Without the whitening light, the treatment will take longer to show results. Read more about teeth whitening lights here.
What is UV whitening light?
UV light is a form of electromagnetic radiation. It’s the same type of light that causes sunburn when you spend too much time in the sun or in tanning beds. UV light was once commonly used in teeth whitening treatments to accelerate the teeth whitening process.
However, research revealed that using UV light for teeth whitening had significant safety drawbacks. The intense UV radiation could cause burns and damage to the sensitive tissues inside your mouth. These potential risks have raised concerns about the safety of UV light in dental treatments. As a result, the search for a safer alternative led to the adoption of LED lights in teeth whitening.
What is LED whitening light?
Our generation is probably quite familiar with LEDs since they’re everywhere—from display screens and light bulbs to medical devices like teeth whitening lights. LED teeth whitening lights have some big advantages. Unlike UV lights, LED lights don’t emit UV radiation. This makes them a safer choice for whitening treatments, reducing the risk of side effects and making the process more comfortable.
LED lights are also very effective. They help speed up the whitening process without getting too hot, which means you’re less likely to feel discomfort during the treatment. So overall, LED lights not only make teeth whitening safer but also more pleasant.
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Safety First!
One of the major concerns with teeth whitening lights, whether they use UV or LED technology, is safety. Both types of lights emit a bright blue light that speeds up the whitening process but can also potentially harm your eyes if not careful. UV lights, in particular, pose higher risks because they emit ultraviolet radiation. While LED lights are generally safer, their intense blue light still requires some caution.
Dentists use protective eyewear to ensure your safety during a teeth whitening treatment. This specialised eyewear is designed to block the harmful light and shield your eyes from potential damage. It’s essential to wear this protective gear throughout the treatment to prevent any adverse effects and ensure that the process remains as safe and comfortable as possible. For Singaporeans aged 21 and above, a teeth whitening kit using LED technology offers a safe and effective way to achieve a killer confident smile.
I bought a blue LED teeth whitening light online. Is it effective?
You’ve probably come across teeth whitening products sold over-the-counter that come with a portable blue LED light. They can be purchased online or simply over-the-counter. They promise to give you a brighter smile from the comfort of your home! While it might be tempting to give one a try, these products often turn out to be more gimmick than miracle. Here’s why:
Limited Effectiveness
The blue LED lights in over-the-counter kits don’t match the specific intensities used in professional treatments provided at dental clinics. Dental clinics use specialised lights that are carefully calibrated to work with high-strength whitening agents. These kits at dental clinics ensure that the light-emitting diode (LED) technology safely uses visible light without causing cell mutation or damaging sensitive teeth. In contrast, over-the-counter LED lights are usually less sophisticated and not regulated, and therefore, less effective.
Weaker Whitening Agents
Over-the-counter whitening gels typically contain lower concentrations of active ingredients like hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide. In contrast, professional treatments use much stronger gels, often containing 35% to 37.5% of these agents. Research has shown that whitening lights are effective primarily when used with higher-concentration whitening gels!
Our Thoughts!
Many over-the-counter kits make bold claims about their effectiveness but the results often don't live up to the hype. For first-time customers, some even promise a whiter smile within 24 hours, without the unpleasant experience of tasting bleach solutions.
Well, the truth for over-the-counter teeth whitening kits is, the combination of less powerful lights and weaker gels means you will not see the dramatic improvement you’re hoping for. For more significant and reliable whitening, professional treatments at a dental office or at-home whitening kits specifically purchased at a dental clinic, are the better choice. Click here to find out how a professional teeth whitening kit for home use works!
Conclusion
Today, while UV teeth whitening lights are still used in some clinics, they are typically reserved for specific professional applications where the benefits outweigh the risks. Many dental practices now prefer LED lights which offer similar whitening benefits without the associated safety concerns of UV radiation. These newer options are designed to provide effective results while minimising risks to patient safety and comfort.
At Dental Designs Clinic, we use LED teeth whitening lights to offer you effective, safe and comfortable whitening treatments. Too busy to spend hours at the dental clinic? We provide four different teeth whitening packages to fit your specific needs and make the process more convenient for you. Simply drop us a message here to book an appointment!
References
- Menezes, C. F. S., Furtado, G. S., Sarra, G., Marques, M. M., Rodrigues, V. P., & Lago, A. D. N. (2022). Violet led dental whitening: effectiveness and biological safety: an in vitro study. Photodiagnosis and Photodynamic Therapy, 39, 102965.
- Gallinari, M. O., Fagundes, T. C., Da Silva, L. M., de Almeida Souza, M. B., Barboza, A. C. S., & Briso, A. L. F. (2019). A new approach for dental bleaching using violet light with or without the use of whitening gel: study of bleaching effectiveness. Operative dentistry, 44(5), 521-529.