Dentistry Blog

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Last updated: April 2025

Red light therapy is a natural, safe, non-invasive, painless, and drug-free healing modality used to treat a variety of conditions.

In this article, we will discuss the comprehensive benefits of using red light therapy in dentistry.

Read on to learn more about how this novel treatment method might be able to help.

1. The Benefits of Red Light Therapy for Dental Health

Red light therapy has been surging in popularity among dental professionals due to its effectiveness and lack of side-effects.

The treatment involves frequent short light therapy sessions that use a powerful light therapy device to shine red and near infrared light into the mouth: a no-touch, painless treatment for both adults and children.

Red light therapy works at the cellular level to promote dental health.

One of its key benefits is speeding up healing by stimulating energy production in cells. When red or near infrared wavelengths reach the cells’ mitochondria, they produce more energy: and an energized cell functions better and does a better job of repairing itself.

Red light therapy also has powerful antioxidant properties that help reduce inflammation in the body. Chronic inflammation is known to be a cause of major diseases and can slow healing.

Red light therapy stimulates production of nitric oxide. This is a vasodilator that helps bring more blood flow to the area to speed up tissue repair.

The treatment also promotes pain relief. But it’s not just superficial pain relief; as it relieves pain, red light therapy also treats the cause of the pain.

2. The Uses of Red Light Therapy in Clinical Dental Treatment

Since the mouth is a very sensitive area, patients will appreciate the treatment for its pain-relieving capabilities, as well as faster healing from surgeries, tooth extractions, injuries, infections, or oral diseases.

Red Light Therapy for Periodontal Disease

Red light therapy is useful in treating gingivitis and periodontal disease, including symptoms such as receding gums, swollen, bleeding, and painful gums.

A study by researchers at Ataturk University in Turkey found that using 808 nm near-infrared light along with desensitizing toothpaste reduced dentin pain in patients with tooth sensitivity due to receding gums.

The treatment kills bacteria in the mouth that contribute to gum infections. It also reduces inflammation and has a powerful analgesic (pain-relieving) effect. Studies also show that the treatment can regrow gums in patients with receding gums.

Red light also stimulates production of collagen, which is essential to regrowing gums.

Red Light Therapy for Mouth Ulcers

Aphthous ulcers, or canker sores, can be treated using red light therapy thanks to its fungicidal and anti-inflammatory properties.

Red Light Therapy for Chemotherapy

Many patients who receive chemotherapy experience mucositis and other symptoms like burning in the mouth - both of which can be treated using red light therapy.

Red light therapy can relieve the pain and help restore normal mouth feel. The treatment can also help speed up healing from medication-related mouth sores.

Red Light Therapy for Cracked Teeth

While major tooth cracks must be repaired by a dentist, recent research suggests that red light therapy can help regrow dentin and dental pulp in minor tooth cracks that do not extend beyond the enamel.

Red light therapy boosts blood circulation to the treated area which boosts the function of odontoblasts (cells responsible for forming dentin).

The treatment has also been shown to regenerate dentin by inducing dental pulp cell mineralization. This soft tissue, encased in dentin, is responsible for growing new dentin.

Red Light Therapy for Reduced Sensitivity After Tooth Bleaching

Red light therapy can act as a nerve block and decreases inflammation in the dentin to help reduce tooth sensitivity after tooth bleaching.

Red Light Therapy for Reduced Dental Plaque

Brushing alone is not enough to remove dental plaque, but a small 2014 study of 11 patients found that photodynamic therapy using red wavelengths along with photosensitizing drugs suppressed dental plaque formation with no side effects to the teeth or gums.

Red Light Therapy for Root Canal Healing

Red light therapy has been used to improve treatment outcomes, reduce pain, and speed up healing times after a root canal. Infections are always a concern after a root canal. A 2000 study found that near infrared light has antibacterial properties, making it useful in preventing infections after a root canal.

Red Light Therapy for Tooth Extractions and Wound Healing

Mouth wounds, including wounds after a tooth extraction, can be extremely painful and prone to infection.

Red light stimulates the healing process, reduce pain, and reduce bacterial infections in mouth wounds.

Red Light Therapy for Temporomandibular Jaw Disorder

Temporomandibular dysfunction syndrome (TMJD) is a common disorder relating to dysfunction of the temporomandibular (jaw) muscles. Red light therapy has been shown to reduce pain and clicking in patients with TMJD.

3. Types of Red Light Therapy for Dental Treatment

Use a combination of red and near infrared (NIR) wavelengths for optimal dental care.

Red wavelengths are shorter than near infrared wavelengths. They penetrate through the layers of skin to the subcutaneous tissue.

Red light is beneficial in treating inflammation, bacterial infections, superficial wounds, mouth sores, and gum disease.

Near-infrared wavelengths can penetrate gum tissue, teeth, bones, as well as the tongue and cheeks. These longer wavelengths are useful for treating cracked teeth, and jaw problems such as TMJD..