Do LED teeth whitening kits work? I tried teeth whitening at home. (2024)

The kit comes with everything you need: an LED light system, charger, mouth piece, whitening gel, and whitening amplifier. The whole kit retails for about $175. The product recommended at least 4 uses before seeing results. I spread out my sessions over the course of a month or so — roughly once per week/two weeks.

How do teeth whitening kits work?

I dried my teeth, applied the gel, followed by the amplifier, and then held the LED light to my teeth for 10 minutes as I watched TV. After ten minutes, the light turned off and I rinsed.

Do LED teeth whitening kits work? I tried teeth whitening at home. (1)

Will whitening make my teeth more sensitive?

I was nervous about tooth sensitivity, but nothing hurt or felt different during the process. The first time I drank ice cold water, I felt a little sensitivity, but nothing unbearable or different from what I felt with other whitening methods. This likely varies by person, so if you find yourself being sensitive to certain toothpastes, this may not be good for you.

Will it save time?

The kit contains way more than just a package of stick-on whitening strips. But, the whitening session itself (the time spent with the gel and mouthpiece) is a lot shorter. Each session is only 10 minutes. So in total, I still saved time, because whitening strips take about 30-40 minutes each.

Does LED actually make teeth brighter?

During my time using the whitening kit, my intake of coffee, red wine and tea stayed consistent. Because I did nothing else differently, I'd say it definitely works — I use a whitening toothpaste daily, but this seems to have made a bigger difference.

Do LED teeth whitening kits work? I tried teeth whitening at home. (2)

Is teeth whitening healthy?

According to Dr. Alina Lane, DDS, “Current research shows that the use of LED whitening kits is quite safe when used infrequently, however it is extremely common to see an increase in tooth sensitivity and gingival irritation immediately after using these products.”

She also added that “using a LED light can also increase tooth surface dehydration, which can roughen and soften enamel. To help restore damaged enamel and reduce sensitivity, I recommend using a re-mineralizing paste, such as MI Paste, in conjunction with whitening treatments.”

Per Dr. Lane’s guidance, I will probably use LED whitening a few times a year for special events. Tooth sensitivity is a risk I’m willing to take for a DIY white smile.

Is it worth it?

At a significantly higher price point, you may want to stick to regular whitening strips. But the process is kind of fun, and made me more inclined to keep my dental routine in line. I found myself brushing and flossing a lot more regularly as part of the regimen.

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Do LED teeth whitening kits work? I tried teeth whitening at home. (2024)

FAQs

Do LED teeth whitening kits work? I tried teeth whitening at home.? ›

At-home LED teeth-whitening kits may deliver results. But the whitening you see is a result of the gel, not the light.

Do at home LED teeth whitening kits work? ›

Kits with LED light

However, the effects of the light are short-term and are mainly due to dehydration of the teeth. Because of this, there is no real benefit in using an LED light for whitening.

Can you whiten your teeth with just the LED light? ›

Although results cannot be achieved with an LED light alone, phenomenal results are produced when used with whitening gels.

How long does it take for LED teeth whitening to work? ›

Most people will see a noticeable difference after just one treatment, but for more severe cases, you may need up to four treatments. It's important to note that LED teeth whitening is not a permanent solution, so you'll likely need to repeat the treatment every few months to maintain your results.

Are LED whitening kits better than strips? ›

Though some lights can add a temporary boost that fades within a day or so, none ultimately make your teeth whiter than trays of bleach or whitening strips alone. Nor can they shorten the amount of time you have to spend with a mouth full of whitening chemicals to achieve your desired tooth shade.

Is LED teeth whitening better than peroxide? ›

Whitening gels are normally made with either hydrogen or carbamide peroxide. LED-powered devices are another popular choice. They work by using the peroxide gel as a base and activating the gel. The LED works to speed up the gel's effects, accelerating the process and enhancing results through an oxidation process1.

Are home teeth whitening kits any good? ›

Some home kits don't contain enough whitening product to be effective. Also, if a dental professional isn't doing the whitening, the mouthguard provided may not fit properly so some of the bleaching gel may leak out onto your gums and into your mouth, causing blistering and sensitivity.

Should I brush my teeth after LED whitening? ›

As for whether you should brush your teeth after using whitening strips, there is no definitive answer. While some experts recommend brushing immediately after removing the strips to ensure all residue is removed, others advise waiting for 30 minutes to allow the enamel to rehydrate and minimize potential abrasion.

How often can you use a LED teeth whitening kit? ›

How often can I use the LED whitening kit? Because teeth staining is caused mostly by what we eat and drink (tea, coffee, and wine) and from smoking.. We recommend using the Optic White ComfortFit LED Whitening treatment up to four times a year to maintain a bright smile.

Does blue light actually whiten teeth? ›

Blue light itself cannot whiten the teeth. Instead, blue light is used to activate a chemical reaction. You'll apply a specialized whitening gel to the patient's teeth containing either carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide. The blue light activates the compounds in the gel and helps break it apart faster.

What is the fastest teeth whitening at home? ›

Using hydrogen peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide is a mild bleach that can help to whiten stained teeth . For optimal whitening, a person can try brushing with a mix of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide for 1–2 minutes twice a day for a week. They should only do this occasionally.

What is the most effective teeth whitening? ›

There's no doubt that Crest Whitestrips are one of the most recognizable over-the-counter teeth whitening systems available. It seems almost as if they've been around forever — and professionals still love 'em. “Over the counter, I recommend Crest 3D White Whitestrips,” Dr. Hadaegh says.

Does baking soda whiten teeth? ›

Baking soda can be used with some water to remove the stains on the surface of the teeth. It can also be used with hydrogen peroxide to enhance its whitening effects. Baking soda can be used by individuals with regular toothpastes too. It is also used commercially in some teeth whitening products and toothpastes.

Does UV light actually whiten teeth? ›

teeth whitening works by utilizing a combination of hydrogen peroxide gel and UV light. UV light doesn't actually whiten the teeth all by itself. Instead, it expedites the whitening process by exciting the molecules in the peroxide gel, allowing the whitening agents to penetrate the enamel more quickly.

Does the blue light teeth whitening work? ›

Both in-office and home whitening kits work the same way. Research into the effectiveness of using blue light to whiten the teeth is mixed, with some studies claiming using light as an accelerant was ineffective. In contrast, other studies said it did seem to be effective.

Is laser teeth whitening better than LED? ›

Firstly, whitening time is shorter for only 2-3 minutes, much less than 30-45 minutes of LED light bleaching. Secondly, there is lower teeth sensitivity, while LED light whitening has a strong acid swelling reaction. Thirdly, laser tooth whitening has a better effect and can last for longer time.

Does LED light therapy work? ›

Research suggests that LED light therapy can help reduce and improve some skin conditions and issues. To see improvement in your skin, though, you need to have regular treatments. In-office LED light therapy uses more powerful strengths than at-home devices, which makes it more effective.

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