What red light therapy means for your teeth and eyes

Red light therapy is gaining attention as a wellness trend with claims that it can improve everything from skin health to joint pain. Red light therapy may also offer benefits for your oral and vision health. But before you spend money on pricey devices or professional treatments, it’s helpful to understand what the research shows — and what it doesn’t.

What is red light therapy?

Red light therapy uses low levels of red or near-infrared light to stimulate your cells. Unlike ultraviolet (UV) light from the sun, red light doesn’t burn your skin. Instead, it penetrates deep into your tissues, and researchers believe it may help reduce inflammation, speed healing and improve circulation.

Possible benefits for oral health

Some early research suggests red light therapy may have positive benefits in your mouth, particularly when it is used by professionals.

• Pain relief: Red light therapy may reduce mouth and jaw pain.
• Faster healing: It may help mouth tissues heal more quickly after mouth surgery or other dental procedures.
• Reduced inflammation: By calming inflammation, it may help manage gum disease or mouth ulcers.¹

While promising, these benefits are not guaranteed. Most studies are small, and red light therapy is typically used with traditional dental care (not as a replacement).

Potential benefits for vision health

In eye care, red light therapy has been studied as a way to support aging eyes.

• Improved retinal function: Some research shows that red light may help improve retinal cell function, particularly in older adults.
• Possible slowing of age-related decline: Early findings suggest red light therapy might play a role in protecting vision as people age.^{_{2, 3}}

Still, red light therapy is not a firmly established treatment for eye diseases like glaucoma, cataracts or macular degeneration. More large-scale, long-term studies are needed to really understand this treatment.

Drawbacks and risks

Like many emerging therapies, several questions surround red light therapy. While research is growing, it’s not yet clear how effective red light therapy truly is for oral or vision health. Devices and treatments can be expensive, and insurance often doesn’t cover them, so knowing that a treatment is effective is important before you spend your money on it.

Although red light therapy is generally safe when given by a professional, improper use of at-home devices, especially near your eyes, may cause harm.

Talk to your provider about safe treatments

Red light therapy shows promise for both oral and vision health, but it’s not a magic fix or a replacement for brushing, flossing, regular dental visits or professional eye care. Your oral and vision health rely most on proven basics: daily care routines, healthy lifestyle choices and regular checkups.

If you’re curious about red light therapy, talk to your dentist or eye specialist before starting treatment to ensure it’s safe for you.

If it’s been awhile since you’ve seen a dentist or eye doctor, get an appointment scheduled today. You can easily find an in-network Delta Dental dentist or DeltaVision provider near you with our online Find a Provider tool.

REFERENCES:

1. Perio-Implant Advisory

2. Macular Degeneration Research

3. National Library of Medicine

SOURCES:

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

The University of Texas MD Anderson Center

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3 easy eye workouts to reduce screen strain

These days, many of us are glued to screens or doing close-up work for hours at a time. That can lead to tired, dry or blurry vision by day’s end. But just like the rest of your body, your eyes can benefit from a little movement and rest.

These three eye exercises are simple, quick and don’t require any special equipment. All you need to do is add them to your daily routine to keep your eyes fresh and focused.

Eye exercises help ward off screen strain

Screens and devices are a central part of modern life, but staring at them for hours each day can strain your eyes.

Eye exercises aren’t a cure-all, but they can help reduce fatigue. For example, one study found that a yoga-style eye routine (a set of eye movements designed to condition your eye muscles) conducted over 6 weeks showed major drops in eye-fatigue scores among participants.¹

Additionally, the widely recommended 20-20-20 rule (for every 20 minutes of screen time, look at something about 20 feet away for 20 seconds) helps ease computer vision syndrome by relaxing your eye muscles.²

Eye exercises can help reduce the strain of everyday life on your eyes, but they won’t replace your glasses or an eye exam with an eye specialist. Think of them as a healthy habit to incorporate into your daily routine, especially if you spend long stretches looking at screens.

3 simple eye exercises

Here are some simple eye exercises you can do throughout the day. They only take a few seconds and can be done seated or standing.

Near-and-far focus

• Hold your thumb about 10 inches from your face. Focus on it for 15 seconds.
• Then shift your focus to something 10–20 feet away for another 15 seconds.
• Return to your thumb. Repeat the exercise five times.

Figure 8

• Pick a spot on the floor to focus on.
• Keeping your head steady, use only your eyes to trace an imaginary “figure 8” on the floor.
• Do that for 30 seconds in one direction, then reverse for another 30 seconds.

Pencil pushups

• Extend a pencil (or similar object) at arm’s length. Focus on it.
• Slowly move it toward your nose while maintaining a single image.
• When it appears doubled, return to arm’s length and repeat several times.

When to see an eye care professional

Although these exercises can ease eye strain and boost your comfort, they’re not a substitute for a professional eye exam. If you notice persistent blurry vision, dry eyes or headaches, it’s important to schedule an appointment with an eye care specialist.

If you’re covered by DeltaVision through Delta Dental of Iowa, you can find an in-network provider near you with our online Find a Provider tool. Your eyes deserve that checkup, and small changes in your daily routine can go a long way toward keeping them comfortable and healthy.

REFERENCES:

1. National Library of Medicine

2. Healthline