How does light activated teeth whitening work?

How does light activated 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.

Does UV light teeth whitening work?

The light treatment gives absolutely no benefit over bleaching without UV. It has the potential to damage the skin and eyes up to four times as much as sunbathing, reports a study in Photochemical & Photobiological Sciences.

Does LED light teeth whitening treatment work?

American Dental Association research has found that whilst using an LED-light to whiten teeth will result in an initial shade change of teeth this is actually caused by teeth dehydration and will reverse after time. Pulpal irritation and tooth sensitivity may be higher with use of bleaching lights or heat application.

What are the pros and cons of teeth whitening?

The Pros and Cons of Teeth Whitening

• Pro: Your confidence will increase.
• Con: An increase in sensitivity.
• Pro: At-home whitening can be relatively inexpensive.
• Con: Crowns and fillings won’t change color.
• Pro: Choices galore.
• Con: Results aren’t permanent.

Do teeth lights work?

LED lights are used in teeth whitening procedures for one key reason: research has shown they speed up the chemical reactions that remove the stains from teeth. As mentioned before, whitening agents are effective for 24 hours.

How long should you use UV light on teeth?

If you choose this method you have to be very committed, they have to be worn 1-2 hours every day for 2-3 weeks. Whitening rinses usually is the method that takes the longest to show results. Try using the rinse for a few minutes every day. UV lights paired with gel is all the rage right now.

Are those teeth whitening lights safe?

Is Teeth Whitening with Lights Safe? This comes down to you or your dentist using the lights safely. If not used correctly, UV light is considered a risk. It might cause soft tissue burning, gum irritation, damage to teeth, and increased tooth sensitivity.

Why does blue light whiten teeth?

Blue light is within the ultraviolet spectrum, similar to the light emitted by the sun. Studies show that blue light is an excellent activation agent for hydrogen peroxide, the cleaning agent in tooth whitening systems like Zoom!, giving your teeth a deeper clean in less time.

What type of teeth whitening do dentists use?

Whiteners used by dentists may have as much as 35% to 45% peroxide while the store-bought whitening kits such as whitening strips or trays usually have just 7% peroxide. Other ingredients in both dentist-dispensed and OTC whiteners include glycerin, carbopol, sodium hydroxide, and flavorings.

What chemical do dentists use to whiten teeth?

hydrogen peroxide
Most tooth whiteners use one of two chemical agents: carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide (the same stuff that will bleach your hair). When used in the mouth, carbamide peroxide breaks down into hydrogen peroxide and urea, with hydrogen peroxide being the active whitening ingredient.