Dental procedures like tooth extractions or orthodontic adjustments can leave patients with sore gums, swelling, and tenderness in the jaw. While traditional pain relief often relies on medications, many people are now turning to red light therapy as a safe, drug-free way to speed healing and reduce discomfort.
Why Dental Pain Persists After Procedures
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Extractions create trauma in the gum and surrounding bone, leading to inflammation, soreness, and longer recovery times.
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Braces adjustments involve tightening forces on teeth and surrounding tissues, often causing aching gums and jaw pain for days afterwards.
Both scenarios involve inflammation, swelling, and localised tissue stress that make eating, speaking, and even sleeping uncomfortable.
How Red Light Therapy Works
Red light therapy, also called low-level laser therapy (LLLT) or photobiomodulation, delivers gentle wavelengths of light into tissues. This stimulates cellular repair and helps the body manage inflammation more efficiently.
A study published in BMC Oral Health (2020) found that photobiomodulation significantly reduced post-operative pain and swelling after dental surgery, while also promoting faster healing of oral tissues.
Specifically, red light therapy can:
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Reduce swelling by improving circulation and lymphatic drainage.
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Relieve pain through modulation of nerve activity and reduced inflammation.
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Accelerate healing by stimulating collagen production and cellular repair in gum tissue.
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Improve comfort after braces by reducing soreness in teeth-supporting structures.
Red Light Therapy vs Pain Medication
While over-the-counter pain relievers and anti-inflammatories are commonly used, they often only mask symptoms. Red light therapy works at the cellular level, addressing the root causes of pain and swelling, while avoiding side effects linked to long-term medication use.
At-Home Use for Dental Recovery
Portable devices such as the Handy Pulse Laser allow patients to manage pain at home, making the days after extractions or orthodontic tightening far more comfortable. Just a few minutes of therapy can ease gum tenderness and support faster healing.
Last Word on Red Light Therapy for Dental Pain
Red light therapy is a powerful tool for reducing dental pain after extractions or braces adjustments. By minimising swelling, soothing discomfort, and accelerating gum and jaw healing, it provides a natural and scientifically backed way to improve recovery outcomes — all without relying solely on pain medications.
References:
AlSayed Hasan, M.M.A., Sultan, K., Ajaj, M. et al. Low-level laser therapy effectiveness in reducing initial orthodontic archwire placement pain in premolars extraction cases: a single-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial. BMC Oral Health 20, 209 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12903-020-01191-7
