Photo-Illustration: The Strategist; Getty Photo
As the General’s personal hygiene expert, I get to write about and test many oral health products, including water flossers, tongue scrapers, and electric toothbrushes. One innovation I’m seeing more and more in the teeth whitening space are LED (light emitting diode) gadgets from trusted brands like Crest and Colgate (which just released his kit last year). Despite its rise in popularity, the dozens of dentists I’ve spoken to in my reporting have never recommended an LED teeth whitening kit. It is so widespread appeared on TikTok and it is so often found in drug stores, however, that I decided it was worth looking into the category.
First, what exactly are LED teeth whiteners? These blue LED mouthpieces are placed over the teeth after whitening gel is applied. To break it down simply, the lights heat the peroxide in the gel and act as an accelerator. In theory, the light helps the gel dissolve more stains faster. Several LED teeth whitening kits make these claims, with some even saying their devices are similar to in-office whitening.
However, over-the-counter teeth whitening kits are very different from in-office procedures. “It’s important to look at the overall caliber, intensity and quality of the LED light.” Boca Studio The founder and orthodontist Dr. Erin Fraunddorf says, adding that home appliances have significantly lower power and quality than professional appliances. I looked online for information on some LED home appliances and found that they are usually powered by less than a watt. LED fixtures in dental offices, on the other hand, are typically powered by around 40 to 60 watts. “You might as well put your phone’s flashlight up to your teeth if you’re using an LED light at home. They’re pretty pointless unless you just want to post a cool selfie on Instagram,” says Fraundorf.
Home LED teeth whitening kits may provide results. But the whitening you see is a result of the gel, not the light. “There isn’t enough data to show for sure that the LED provides a significant improvement over using a gel tray,” says the cosmetic dentist. Dr. Jon Marashi. And, when I reached the American Dental Association (ADA), a representative sent me an official statement that reads: “A systematic review and network meta-analysis showed no difference in outcomes after bleaching treatments with or without light activation. A Colgate article refers to a study by the Journal of Conservative Dentistry with evidence that gel and LED use was more effective than gel alone. But the gel used in the study contains at least 37 percent hydrogen peroxide—a percentage only used in professional settings. (At-home gels are made with about 15 percent hydrogen peroxide.) So while there’s evidence out there that LED lights are beneficial for teeth whitening, it seems to be limited to those found in the dentist’s office.
Sensitivity is a very common side effect of teeth whitening — both at home and in the office. While some LED kits claim to cause less sensitivity than other whitening methods, I couldn’t find any studies to support this. None of the dentists I spoke to supported the claim either. Most dentists said that the sensitivity is most likely caused by the active ingredients in the whitening gel rather than the light itself.
LED whiteners may not actually work, but don’t underestimate the power of a fun, trendy gadget. Dr. Mandy Kouroshnia, dentist and owner CityZen Dental, told me that LEDs help people stick to their whitening routines. She has noticed that her patients using LED kits are more consistent. “I think there’s this little psychological thing that happens when you have the light plus the gel. It makes you feel like you’re doing double duty, and it’s going to work better,” she says, adding that consistency is the key to making teeth whiteners work. “I think that’s why patients say, ‘Oh, it’s working great.’ But if you compare them to patients who just use peroxide products without light – and the compliance rate is the same – you get the same results.”
Regular gel trays and strips are your best bet for whitening effectiveness – just be consistent and wear them for the recommended amount of time. But if you’re the type of person who likes a little drama, an LED kit can give you more consistent whitening. It’s okay for them to try, but know that you’re probably not getting a real boost in results.
The general designed to display the most useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Some of our latest conquests include the best acne treatments, rolling luggage, pillows for side sleepers, natural remedies for anxietyand bath towels. We update links when possible, but please note that offers may expire and all prices are subject to change.
