Redlight Therapy

Oral Red Light Therapy

What Is Red Light Therapy?

Oral LED light therapy is an emerging, cutting-edge approach to potentially heal and calm mouth sores. Oral red LED light therapy is a type of light therapy that involves exposing the inside of the mouth, teeth, and gums to red LED lights to support optimal oral health, reduce inflammation and repair damaged oral soft tissues.

Red LED light therapy uses low-level wavelengths to safely deliver red LED lights, stimulate cellular activity and potentially promote healing. Red LED light therapy uses a device with technology that emits red lights when a mouthpiece is placed inside the mouth and directed at the gums, teeth, and tongue.

This LED light therapy potentially promotes healing and can potentially reduce inflammation by increasing blood flow and oxygenation to the area, stimulating the production of collagen and other proteins. The Red LED lights reduce the activity of harmful bacteria, which can reduce bad breath, bacterial infection, and oral complications.

Oral red LED light therapy treatment can be used to treat a variety of oral issues, including gum disease, sensitive teeth, oral ulcers, and cold sores. It may also be used to promote proper oral hygiene, target gum recession, protect gum tissue and prevent tooth decay.

While oral red light therapy is very safe, as with any treatment it is essential to follow proper safety guidelines and consult with a healthcare professional before using this therapy. 

Additionally, oral red light therapy should not be used as a replacement for traditional dental care, but rather as a complementary treatment.

Dental patients who used red light therapy to reduce the chance of unsightly cancer sores noticed a halt in the progression of the sore. Also, after gum treatment, many patients who wore the mouthpiece with Red LED lights, noticed immediate comfort in what they described as normally sore gums.

The Science Behind Red Light Therapy Versus Blue Light Therapy...

Red light therapy uses low-level lights to diffuse concentrated wavelengths of red light that penetrate the skin, and various soft tissues and stimulate cellular activity. The red light wavelengths are absorbed by the mitochondria (the powerhouse) in the cells, which are responsible for producing energy in the form of ATP (adenosine triphosphate). 

This increased energy production can help to improve blood flow, improved blood circulation, blood vessels, and cellular function, and  potentially promote healing, and overall health. These red lights are also known to reduce sensitivity in the teeth and can promote gum health which leads to improved overall health.

Red light therapy also stimulates the production of collagen and other proteins that are important for maintaining healthy skin and soft tissues. Collagen is a key component of skin, cartilage, periodontal (gum) tissue, and bone. It is responsible for providing strength and structure to various parts of living organisms. Collagen is like a building block for our body.

By increasing collagen production, red light therapy can also be used to benefit other issues such as improving the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and may also potentially promote the healing of wounds and injuries.

Additionally, daily light therapy has been shown to increase blood flow and oxygenation to the treated area. This increased blood flow can help to deliver essential nutrients and oxygen to the cells, which can  potentially promote healing and reduce inflammation.

Overall, the science behind red light therapy suggests that it can potentially be an effective and safe treatment for a variety of conditions, including oral soft issues, skin conditions, pain management, and wound healing.

In contrast, blue oral light therapy targets bacteria by generating toxic reactive oxygen species (ROS), while red light therapy stimulates cellular activity by increasing blood flow and oxygenation to the tissues in the mouth. They work in different ways and are often used for different purposes in promoting oral health.

As with any medical treatment, it is essential to consult with a healthcare professional before using red light therapy and to follow proper safety guidelines.

Difference Between Red and Blue LED Light Therapy For Oral Health

There are two types of light therapy treatment. Blue Led light and red light therapy are two different types of light therapy that can be used in an oral sense, but they work in different ways. Blue light therapy uses a specific wavelength of light that is absorbed by harmful bacteria. When the bacteria absorb the blue light, it damages the cells' DNA and causes them to die. Blue light therapy is often used to treat acne and other skin conditions caused by harmful bacteria. Red light therapy, on the other hand, uses a different wavelength of light that penetrates deeper into the tissue. It can help to stimulate cellular activity and potentially promote healing by increasing blood flow and oxygenation to the area. In an oral sense, red light therapy is more effective when being used to reduce inflammation and potentially promote healing of the gums, teeth, and tongue, and reduce tooth sensitivity and receding gums. In summary, while both blue and red light therapy can be used in an oral sense, blue light therapy targets bacteria and is often used for skin conditions. In contrast, red light therapy targets cellular activity and may be used to promote oral health and reduce inflammation.

Red LED Light Therapy
Red LED Light Therapy

Red Light Therapy and Tooth Whitening

Red light therapy has also been used as a complementary periodontal (gum) treatment for tooth whitening. LED light therapy and infrared light treatments are potentially believed to stimulate the production of healing cells in the mouth, which can help to improve the health and appearance of teeth and potentially boost the healing process of soft tissue in one's oral care regimen. Red light therapy may also help to reduce inflammation and potentially promote healing, which can benefit people who experience tooth sensitivity, bad breath, or discomfort during the tooth-whitening process. Taking extra steps to improve oral hygiene is essential in your teeth whitening regime to avoid sensitive teeth, gum recession, and gum disease. The result of improved oral hygiene will lead to healthy teeth and gums. Healthy teeth and gums promote improved overall health. While red light therapy is used as an effective complementary treatment for teeth whitening, it is important to note that although it promotes overall health it is not a substitute for proper dental care or professional preventive care. It is always recommended to consult with a dentist and dental hygienist before trying any new cosmetic dentistry treatments or therapies for tooth whitening.

Poor Oral Health & Gum Disease

Poor oral health can have a number of negative effects on the gums and teeth, and cause even more extreme issues such as cardiovascular disease. Gum disease, for example, leads to inflammation and infection of the gum tissue, which can cause the gums to recede and expose the roots of the teeth. This can lead to tooth sensitivity, as the roots are not as well protected as the enamel on the surface of the teeth. Gum recession can also make teeth appear longer and less aesthetically pleasing, which can affect one's self-esteem and confidence. In addition to this, poor oral health can cause teeth and gums to become extremely sensitive to hot and cold temperatures as well as weak and susceptible to decay and other oral health problems, making it more difficult to maintain healthy teeth and gums going forward and to repair damaged tissue. Poor oral and gum health and lack of proper oral hygiene can lead to a build-up of oral bacteria causing many complications with the mouth, gums, and teeth, leading to dental trauma and easily sustained oral wounds, and even an increase in the appearance of cold sores. Poor oral health over time can affect bone density and bone regeneration and stop the body from being able to repair damaged tissue. The latest evidence-based research shows that poor oral health leads to poor overall health. Poor overall health leads to various diseases such as heart attack, stroke, high cholesterol, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, and even Alzheimers disease; just to name a few. In some cases, traditional teeth whitening treatments which do not use red light therapy can exacerbate these tooth and gum problems by causing further sensitivity and irritation to the gums and teeth. It is important to maintain good oral hygiene habits, such as regular brushing and flossing, and to seek professional dental care to prevent and treat oral health problems.

Poor Oral Health

So...

In conclusion, red light therapy can be a safe and effective addition to your teeth whitening regime. By using a specific wavelength of light, red light therapy can help to stimulate cellular activity, increase blood flow and oxygenation, and  potentially promote healing of the gums, teeth, and other soft tissues in the mouth. Red light therapy can help to reduce inflammation and sensitivity, while also enhancing the effectiveness of teeth whitening treatments.

Resources.

  1. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0109564114000463
  2. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/lsm.10087
  3. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/000399699290058G
  4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8457130/