Posted: July 22, 2022
Teeth whitening can be a great option for brighter healthier looking teeth for many patients. Still, for some patients, the whitening process of store bought cosmetic products may take longer than they’re willing to wait. In these cases, people looking to brighten their smile should consult with a dentist to assess the best approach. One whitening treatment option is LED teeth whitening.
How Does LED Whitening Work?
The chemical reaction that occurs between teeth whitening agents occurs at a given speed. This process can be enhanced with exposure to LED light. While the capabilities of teeth whitening vary per person, some patients see that LED teeth whitening brightens their teeth by 6-8 shades in a single session.
LED teeth whitening treatment consists of three simple steps:
- Placing a whitening agent on the tooth surface
- Applying an LED light
- Letting the agent sit while absorbing the LED light
Why LED Light?
Concentrated light waves improve the effectiveness of whitening agents. LED light speeds up the chemical reaction between the whitening agent and the compounds responsible for teeth stains. Because LED light does not produce much heat, some patients experience less discomfort and tooth sensitivity.
Teeth Whitening 101
How does teeth whitening work? Compounds such as hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide contain volatile oxygen molecules. These molecules react with the surface stains on teeth and break apart the chemical bonds of stain-causing compounds bound to the enamel.
What Stains Teeth
While enamel can naturally discolor over time due to exposure to highly pigmented food and drinks, some common culprits include:
- Tea
- Coffee
- Red wine
- Cola
- Fruit juices
- Tobacco
Mitigating Stains
After someone has had their teeth whitened, they may find it useful to reduce their chances of staining their teeth again soon by:
- Limiting tooth-staining food or drinks
- Rinsing their mouth with water after eating or drinking something that may stain their teeth
- Using a straw when drinking cold drinks like cola or juice that may stain their teeth
- Chewing gum that contains xylitol, which can help to stimulate more saliva and cleanse the mouth
- Eating crunchy fruits and vegetables, like apples, carrots, and celery, can boost saliva and scrub the tooth surface
- Brushing their teeth twice a day or as recommended by their dentist
- Seeing a dentist or hygienist as frequently as advised
Scheduling an Appointment
If you live in Calgary, Northwest Calgary, Cochrane or other nearby areas of Alberta and would like to learn more about if teeth whitening is right for you, you can call Evolution Dental today at 403-768-2433 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Kendra Schick.
*all procedures performed at our practice by a general dentist
