How To Use Teeth Whitening Light
The teeth whitening light is a great way to get the smile you’ve always wanted. It’s been proven that many people are unhappy with their teeth, but don’t want to go through the hassle of getting them professionally whitened. The teeth whitening light offers a convenient and easy alternative that can be used at home.
It’s also a great option for those who are looking for an affordable way to try out this type of treatment before committing to a professional visit.
Teeth whitening is all the rage nowadays, but not everyone can afford those $1,000 treatments. Luckily, there are lots of at-home teeth whitening kits that you can buy for less than $100. There’s no need to spend a lot of money on an expensive treatment if you want this to be a lifestyle change. Read on to learn more Does Blue Light Whiten Teeth Without Gel/At Home Blue Light Teeth Whitening.
How To Use Teeth Whitening Light
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You can get a brighter smile with a number of different whitening products and techniques available at home or at a dentist’s office. They vary in effectiveness (and price), but none of them provide permanent results.
One technique is a light-activated teeth whitening procedure. This treatment can use different kinds of lights, including:
- ultraviolet (UV) lights
- halogen lights
- light-emitting diode (LED) lights
Blue LED light treatments are becoming increasingly popular, especially because they are considered safer than UV light. You can buy over-the-counter whitening products that include a blue light, or you can choose to have treatment in your dentist’s office.
You may be very pleased with the results, but you also might want to know what to expect with this treatment.
How does blue light teeth whitening work?
Your dentist will apply a whitening gel to your teeth. Then they will use a blue LED light, which activates the hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide whitening gel. This helps break apart the gel faster. The resulting chemical reaction lifts stains off your teeth.
Whether you’re at home or in your dentist’s office, the process works the same way.
Does it work?
The research is mixed about the effectiveness of using a light source like an LED light to help whiten your teeth.
A 2014 studyTrusted Source reviewed a decade of research on light-activated sources for tooth bleaching in a dental office setting. It concluded that the use of a light activator did not seem to speed up the whitening process or improve the results.
However, a 2012 studyTrusted Source suggests that using a whitening gel and LED light as part of an in-office process did seem to be effective.
Blue light teeth whitening side effects
Generally speaking, 2014 literature suggests that teeth whitening methods that use hydrogen or carbamide peroxide, including blue light whitening methods, are safe. This includes both clinical studies and in vitro studies, which are studies on teeth outside of a person’s mouth.
However, this treatment might have some risks. You may experience some tooth sensitivity and irritation in the areas of treatment after getting your teeth whitened with a blue light treatment method.
In one small 2012 studyTrusted Source, an in-office treatment included an LED light to activate a whitening gel for three 10-minute cycles.
The study found that people experienced slightly more irritation and sensitivity around their teeth after that first in-office treatment than they did during a 2-week period of continuing treatment at home without the LED light.
In-office blue light teeth whitening procedure
If you choose to do a blue light teeth whitening procedure in a dentist’s office, here’s what to expect:
- Your dentist will thoroughly clean your teeth.
- They will take a shade measurement of your teeth to provide a comparison for the results of the whitening process.
- Your dentist will use tools like a cheek retractor to hold your lips away from your teeth and apply a gel to protect your gums.
- They will apply a whitening gel to your teeth.
- Your dentist will aim the blue light at your teeth.
- They will rinse your mouth completely and check the color of your teeth after the procedure.
- This process may be repeated a few times to improve the whitening results.
How to use blue light teeth whitening products at home
A blue light teeth whitening kit lets you whiten your teeth at home. One thing to consider: The at-home kits tend to contain solutions that are not as strong as the ones you get in your dentist’s office.
They may come with whitening strips containing the whitening agent or plastic trays that you fill with whitening gel, along with a battery-powered blue light.
The whitening kits generally work the same way:
- Apply the whitening product to your teeth. You will either place whitening strips directly on your teeth or insert whitening gel with a syringe into a set of trays. Insert the trays in your mouth to cover your teeth.
- You may need to let the whitening product sit on your teeth for a certain amount of time before turning on the blue light.
- Use the blue light to activate the whitening product. In some products, the light attaches directly to the mouthpiece, so you don’t have to hold it in place. In many products, the light will turn off automatically after a set amount of usage time.
Be sure to follow the exact directions on the kit that you’re using because they can vary from product to product. Some products advertise that you may need more than one treatment.
Where to get a blue light teeth whitening kit
You can purchase a blue light teeth whitening kit from specialty websites, as well as from big box stores, drug stores, and other places online. You can even get vegan, gluten-free, and kosher versions.
Shop for a blue light teeth whitening kit online.
Other types of light teeth whitening treatments
Blue light treatment is not the only light-based teeth whitening treatment available. Ask your dentist about these other treatments that they may offer in their offices.
Halogen light
Some research suggests that using a halogen light can help improve the results of a teeth whitening procedure. For example, one studyTrusted Source published in 2016 found that using a halogen light with a 37.5-percent hydrogen peroxide solution whitened teeth better than going without the light.
However, this was an in vitro study, meaning it was done on teeth that were not in a person’s mouth. So the results might vary when performed in people. For now, if you’re interested, you may need to see a dentist to use this method.
Ultraviolet light
Your dentist may offer a procedure that uses an FDA-approved UV light or laser to help whiten your teeth. Although the potential risks of exposure to UV light seem low, they are still possible. Speak with your dentist about protection for your eyes and gum during the procedure.
Takeaway
Blue LED light teeth whitening products are one of several light-activated treatments available. The effectiveness of this type of treatment is currently mixed, according to research.
Ask your dentist for more information about using LED lights for teeth whitening.
At Home Blue Light Teeth Whitening
At Home Blue Light Teeth Whitening
Teeth whitening at home is a popular alternative to the dentist. It’s easy, inexpensive and can be done in just a few minutes a day.
Our teeth can become discolored due to age, diet, genetics and other factors. We can’t change our genes or what we’ve eaten in the past, but we can improve the appearance of our teeth by whitening them. Teeth whitening works by removing stains from your teeth or making them brighter by removing tiny amounts of tooth enamel.
Teeth whitening at home is as safe as at-home dental procedures get. But there are some risks involved with any procedure that involves chemicals and high temperatures coming into contact with your gums and teeth, so you should always follow all directions carefully when using any type of at-home teeth whitening product.
Blue light teeth whitening is one of the most popular teeth whitening treatments. It has been around for decades, with many different companies using this technology. The process involves exposing your teeth to blue light for a number of minutes without damaging the enamel or gums. The blue light breaks down stains in your tooth, which then allows the teeth to become lighter in color.
At-home blue light whitening kits are widely available and can be purchased online or in stores such as Walmart and Target. If you are looking for an at home tooth whitening kit that will give you noticeable results without spending hundreds of dollars, this type of kit may be right for you.
At-home blue light kits come in a wide range of prices and options, but they all do essentially the same thing: they reduce stains on your teeth by exposing them to blue light. Some kits include trays that fit over your teeth while others come with mouthpieces that fit into your mouth to protect your lips and gums from burns caused by the treatment’s high wattage bulbs.
Ultraviolet (UV) light has been used for many years to aid teeth whitening, but how does it actually help the tooth whitening process? If you are considering a tooth whitening procedure, you should be aware of the associated health concerns of UV light and that there are safer alternatives available.
Teeth whitening is one of the most popular cosmetic dentistry procedures requested – patients desire that Hollywood smile to give them a celebrity-like glow. In-surgery teeth whitening usually involves exposing the teeth to the ultraviolet (UV) light which results in an increase in tooth temperature. According to dental care professionals that offer this kind of procedure, this can speed up the breakdown process of the hydrogen molecule which whitens the teeth, but it can be detrimental to your oral health.
How Does UV Light Bleach Your Teeth?
Teeth whitening procedures can be extremely successful, often lightening your teeth by up to 8 shades. But the truth is that on its own, UV light does not whiten your teeth. That means that no matter how much smiling you do on a sunny day, your teeth won’t get any whiter – and any whitening you notice will probably be the effect of getting a tan, but that has its own risks. So why is UV light used by dentists and home whitening kits alike?
The tooth whitening process uses a whitening agent, usually peroxide-based, which is applied to your teeth. Your teeth are then traditionally exposed to UV light, also known as UV radiation. It is thought that the UV light activates the hydrogen peroxide by acting as a catalyst, meaning it can speed up the reaction to help you get whiter teeth faster, and to get those results quicker. Studies such as this, from 2003 found that light combined with peroxide significantly lightened the color of teeth to a greater extent than peroxide or light alone did.
Safety Concerns Of UV Teeth Whitening
The US FDA has logged a number of complaints of patients claiming to have suffered burns from the UV radiation. Given that your oral tissues are very sensitive and that UV radiation from the sun is known to cause skin burns and damage, this should not be a surprise. A study in 2013 found that oral tissues are also at significantly higher risk of UV-induced cancer than skin cells, and exposure to UV teeth whitening can also induce flare-ups of lupus.
Incorrect use of the UV light, including using the lights for too long and wrongly directing the light source, can also cause damage such as cataracts in your eyes, as well as damage to your lips, gums and tongue. This, therefore, means that if you are keen to have a UV teeth whitening treatment done, it is best to go to your dentist, who will be trained to use the UV lamps in the safest possible way. They will know how long to expose your teeth to the UV source and will provide you with personal protective equipment to shield your eyes, for example. On the other hand, if you are keen to whiten your teeth at home, it is worth considering a kit that uses blue LED light instead.
These are some of the risks associated with UV teeth whitening:
Short-Term Adverse Effects
- Burnt gums
- Bleeding gums
- Inflammation of the mucus membranes of the oral cavity
- Facial sunburn
- Increased tooth sensitivity
Long-Term Adverse Effects
- Oral soft tissue lesions
- Reduced color stability
- Premature wear-and-tear of enamel
- Abnormal growths in and around the eyes
- Increased risk of skin or oral cancer
With the risks and dangers of UV radiation now well-known, safer alternatives to UV teeth whitening have been developed. These different whitening products and methods produce a wide range of results:
- Whitening toothpaste – these are more abrasive than regular toothpaste. They don’t contain bleach, but they help to remove surface stains and discoloration. They can lighten your tooth color by about one shade.
- Whitening strips – these are sticky strips of plastic that are coated in hydrogen peroxide or a similar bleaching agent which you stick to your teeth. They are disposable, and you simply stick them on your teeth for a certain amount of time.
- Blue LED kits – these are a similar design to the UV teeth whitening you get at your dentist, but the wavelength of blue LED light will not damage your teeth. They are designed to be used at home by untrained users. You can ready more about these home kits and see our reviews here.
Be mindful that there are many dubious ‘natural’ methods people use and promote to whiten teeth, such as brushing with activated charcoal, or baking soda. These methods are unproven, may make your tooth discoloration worse and are potentially harmful to your teeth and gums.
Does Blue Light Whiten Teeth Without Gel
A blue light teeth whitening kit lets you whiten your teeth at home. One thing to consider: The at-home kits tend to contain solutions that are not as strong as the ones you get in your dentist’s office.
They may come with whitening strips containing the whitening agent or plastic trays that you fill with whitening gel, along with a battery-powered blue light.
The whitening kits generally work the same way:
- Apply the whitening product to your teeth. You will either place whitening strips directly on your teeth or insert whitening gel with a syringe into a set of trays. Insert the trays in your mouth to cover your teeth.
- You may need to let the whitening product sit on your teeth for a certain amount of time before turning on the blue light.
- Use the blue light to activate the whitening product. In some products, the light attaches directly to the mouthpiece, so you don’t have to hold it in place. In many products, the light will turn off automatically after a set amount of usage time.
Tooth whitening is any process that lightens the color of a tooth. Whitening is accomplished by either the physical removal of the stain or a chemical reaction that lightens the tooth color.
LED teeth whitening is the process of using a tooth-whitening agent, such as hydrogen peroxide, and an LED (light-emitting diode) light to whiten teeth.
Americans spend $1.4 billion annually on nonprescription teeth whitening products to get a brighter smile. Cosmetic tooth bleaching is a global industry, with people spending $3.2 billion to brighten their teeth worldwide.
How Does LED Teeth Whitening Work?
During the LED teeth whitening process, users first treat the teeth with a chemical agent that has bleaching properties. LED light is used to activate the whitening agent and start the chemical reaction.
When this interaction happens, the blue LED light penetrates the enamel and lifts existing stains.
LED lights are highly efficient and last a long time compared to other light sources. They do not have a warm-up time and switch on at their highest intensity straight away.
How Does an LED Light Make Your Teeth Whiter?
LED light works with a tooth-whitening agent to whiten teeth by activating the whitening agent and starting the chemical reaction.
An LED light will not change the color of the teeth if used alone. It acts as a catalyst to speed up the whitening process’s reactions when combined with a whitening agent.
The most commonly-used whitening agents are hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide.
Everything We Recommend
Best Overall (Editor’s Pick) — Snow At-Home Teeth Whitening All-in-One Kit
Best for Sensitivity — hismile PAP+ Teeth Whitening Kit™
Fastest Results — Glo Brilliant Teeth Whitening Device
Best on a Budget — AuraGlow Teeth Whitening Kit
Best All-in-One Whitening Brand — Colgate ® Optic White Advanced LED Whitening
Are LED Teeth Whitening Lights Safe?
LED teeth whitening was developed to be safe for at-home use. Current research shows that LED teeth whitening is safe and effective when users follow the manufacturer’s protocols.
LED as a light source is a safer alternative to ultraviolet (UV) light, which can cause the mutation of cells. An LED light does not cause cell mutations and speeds up the whitening reaction without UV light risks.
You should talk to your dentist before whitening your teeth. Teeth whitening does not work for everyone. Teeth whitening results depend on the user’s lifestyle and the cause of their teeth discoloration. LED teeth whitening works better on yellowish teeth compared to brownish or greyish-hued teeth.
Pros and Cons of Blue Light Teeth Whitening
Blue light LED teeth whitening offers many benefits, including:
- Whiter teeth
- The convenience of whitening teeth at home versus having to go to a dental office
- Affordability
- Free from UV radiation
- Less painful than whitening at the dentist’s office
Blue light LED teeth whitening also has some downsides, including:
- Varying results based on the cause of discoloration
- Gradual results versus a professional teeth whitening, which has immediate results
- Increased tooth sensitivity
- Burning and gum irritation, caused by the bleaching agent coming into contact with the mouth’s delicate tissues, such as the tongue or gums
- Permanent damage from overuse caused by excessive tooth whitening treatments, using too much whitening agent, or leaving the whitening agent on for too long can cause permanent damage to the teeth
Best At-Home LED Teeth Whitening Kits of 2022
Snow® At-Home Teeth Whitening Kit
Snow® is a popular teeth whitening system, with one product sold every 47 seconds. The brand’s most advanced formulas deliver a professional-level whitening experience that’s enamel-safe for those with sensitive teeth and gums.
Each application is only 9 minutes long, and 90% of users get a whiter smile after just one use.
Snow All-in-One Whitening Kit
Best Overall (Editor’s Pick)
Buy on Snow
This dentist-approved teeth whitening kit was designed for sensitive teeth and is safe for gums and enamel.
Each whitening application only takes 9 minutes per day. According to Snow’s website, 97 percent of customers see results after just one use (consumer study).
Cost: $$
Read our full review of Snow teeth whitening here.
hismile PAP+ Teeth Whitening Kit™
hismile’s teeth whitening kit uses three powerful, enamel-safe ingredients to provide instant results without any sensitivity:
- Hydroxyapatite (nHAp) rebuilds the protective layer of teeth and replaces lost minerals.
- Phthalimidoperoxycaproicacid (PAP) is clinically proven to whiten teeth without sensitivity or gum irritation.
- Potassium citrate helps relieve pre-existing sensitivity and provides long-term protection.
hismile PAP+ Teeth Whitening Kit™
Best for Sensitive Teeth
Buy on hismile
hismile’s teeth whitening kit is an effective and safe peroxide-free alternative. Peroxide as a bleaching agent can cause sensitivity, gum irritation, and the demineralization of teeth.
hismile uses PAP, nHAp, and potassium citrate to whiten teeth without sensitivity. These ingredients have also been clinically proven to remineralize teeth.
Cost: $$
Read our full review of hismile teeth whitening here.
GLO Brilliant Teeth Whitening Kit
The patented GLO Brilliant Device combines LED light and Guided Light Optics (GLO) warming heat technology to accelerate safe hydrogen peroxide whitening formulation for faster, easier, and more effective whitening.
With the GLO tooth whitening system, you can whiten both top and bottom teeth simultaneously with fast 8-minute pre-timed applications. The device is hands-free so that you can whiten easily as part of your regular beauty or grooming routine.
GLO is used in thousands of professional dental offices and is clinically proven to get your smile 5X whiter without sensitivity.
GLO is FDA-registered. The whitening gel is vegan, gluten/latex/cruelty-free, and made in the USA.
GLO Brilliant Deluxe Teeth Whitening Device Kit
Fastest Results
Buy on GLO
GLO Brilliant uses LED lights as well as heat to give you faster results. This kit is for people who want white teeth quickly. Applications only take 8 minutes.
They suggest completing four back-to-back applications each day for five straight days, or until you’re pleased with the results. This is a fast and effective whitening process, but it is the most expensive item on our list.
Cost: $$$
AuraGlow Teeth Whitening Kit
AuraGlow is more affordable than many other products on the market.
This teeth whitening solution comes with trays and a LED light to whiten both the top and bottom teeth. It also features 35 percent carbamide peroxide, close to the level of whitening agent used by dental offices (most dental offices use a 40 percent peroxide formula).
AuraGlow Teeth Whitening Kit
Best on a Budget
Buy on AuraGlow
AuraGlow is an easy-to-use home tooth whitening system that uses an advanced 35% carbamide peroxide whitening solution and led lights to give you whiter teeth.
There are approximately 20 treatments included. Use daily for 30 minutes to remove discoloration and gain optimal brightening results.
Cost: $
Colgate ® Optic White Advanced LED Whitening
Colgate’s Optic White At-Home Teeth Whitening Kit combines LED whitening light with blue LED light technology to activate the stain-removing hydrogen peroxide gel that’s applied to the teeth via its rechargeable tray.
This tooth whitening system is also enamel-safe and was specifically designed to whiten teeth without causing sensitivity.
Colgate Optic White Advanced LED Whitening
Best All-in-One Whitening Brand
Buy on Colgate
Colgate’s advanced teeth whitening kit only requires 10 minutes of your day. After just 10 days of use, you’ll have noticeably whiter teeth.
If you want to use the same brand for all of your oral care needs, Colgate also has the leading whitening toothpaste and mouthwash on the market.
Cost: $$
Why Trust Us? How We Choose Products
All medical content on this site, including this guide and other product reviews, is written by our team of experienced writers and researchers. All NewMouth writers vet products that are recommended and reviewed in the industry. In cases where this is not possible, our team will:
- Compare positive and negative reviews on the products
- Talk to company leaders to ensure their products are safe and effective
- Look into costs to ensure customers are getting the best quality products at reasonable prices
- Read research studies to compare the pros and cons of each product
Every piece of content is heavily reviewed before publication. All content on NewMouth is also medically reviewed by a licensed dentist, specifically any content where we recommend products.
Our dentists are told to flag any recommendations they don’t agree with. Any products that don’t meet their professional standards are removed.
Many of the products we recommend have the American Dental Association (ADA) Seal of Acceptance. These products are proven to be effective in preventing gum disease, cavities, and other oral health conditions.
When we recommend products that do not include this seal of acceptance, we conduct further research to ensure reputability. This may include speaking with company leaders, reading hundreds of customer reviews, and ensuring they provide quality customer service.
How Long Does LED Teeth Whitening Last?
The results of a whitening treatment depend on the user’s diet and lifestyle. Several factors can impact tooth discoloration, including eating certain foods, smoking, certain medications, age, and genetics can impact teeth whitening. These factors are why results can vary after using an LED tooth whitening system.
To maintain a whiter smile after treatment, follow these steps:
- Stay hydrated – Water rinses away compounds from dark-colored foods and drinks that can stain enamel.
- Rinse your mouth – Rinse with a glass of water after drinking acidic beverages like coffee, soda, or wine.
- Use a straw – Drink dark-colored liquids through a straw when possible to prevent them from staining the teeth’ surface.
- Brush with a whitening toothpaste – Proper oral hygiene keeps teeth clean and bright.
- Schedule a cleaning – Regular dental exams keep teeth healthy.
- Avoid tobacco products – Cigarettes, cigars, and chewing tobacco can cause staining