Airflow Polishing: The Gentle, Effective Deep Clean
Airflow polishing is a modern alternative — or complement — to the traditional scale and polish. Using a controlled jet of fine powder, warm water and compressed air, it removes stubborn stains, plaque and biofilm from places a brush or scaler can’t easily reach. Most patients describe it as more comfortable and more thorough than a traditional clean.
🧠 How Does It Work?
A special handpiece delivers a fine spray of:
- Sodium bicarbonate or erythritol powder (chosen for its particle size and softness)
- Warm water
- Compressed air
The jet lifts off plaque and surface stains without scraping against the tooth surface. It’s especially effective in:
- The spaces between teeth
- Around orthodontic brackets and wires
- Around implants and bridges (where traditional scalers aren’t suitable)
- Under the gum line (with the right, gentler powders)
✅ Benefits
- Gentle — no scraping sensation; great for patients who find scaling uncomfortable
- Effective on stubborn staining — tea, coffee, red wine, tobacco
- Safe around implants and orthodontic appliances — where metal scalers shouldn’t be used
- Time-efficient — often quicker than a manual polish for the same level of stain removal
- Fresh feeling — a noticeably smoother, cleaner mouth afterwards
🔍 Who Is It For?
- Patients with staining that a routine polish won’t shift
- Patients with orthodontic appliances (braces, aligners) or implants
- Patients with mild-to-moderate gum disease as part of periodontal care
- Anyone who finds the traditional ultrasonic scaler uncomfortable
It’s not a substitute for a full scale where tartar (“calculus”) has formed — but it’s an excellent finishing step, or a gentler alternative where scaling isn’t clinically needed.
💬 What to Expect
The appointment takes around 30 minutes. We’ll place a bib to protect your clothes, and you’ll be given a suction device to keep your mouth comfortable. After treatment, you’ll receive advice on how to avoid new staining taking hold.
Avoid coloured food and drink (tea, coffee, red wine, curry) for a few hours afterwards for the best results.
⚖️ Cost
Airflow is offered as a £25 add-on to a hygienist appointment — see the Fees page for current pricing.