If your teeth look duller than they used to despite brushing twice a day, the problem is usually surface staining from coffee, tea, red wine or tobacco. Brushing does not shift it, and whitening does not target it. Airflow polishing does.
What Airflow is
Airflow is a hygiene treatment that uses a controlled jet of warm water, compressed air and very fine powder to lift stains and bacterial film from the tooth surface.
The important difference from traditional scaling is that nothing scrapes your teeth. The jet does the work, which is why it reaches places an instrument cannot, including the grooves on biting surfaces and just beneath the gum line.
What it removes
- Coffee, tea and red wine staining
- Tobacco staining
- Plaque and bacterial biofilm, including below the gum margin
- Staining around braces and orthodontic attachments
- Surface discolouration on implants and veneers, which it cleans safely
What it does not do is change the natural colour of your teeth. Airflow removes what is sitting on the surface, revealing the shade underneath. Going lighter than your natural shade is whitening, which is a separate treatment.
Being clear about that distinction saves disappointment. Many people who think they need whitening actually need stain removal, and are pleased with the result from a single hygiene appointment.
What it feels like
Most patients find Airflow more comfortable than traditional scaling. There is no scraping and no vibration. You will feel a cool spray and some water in your mouth, which the suction handles.
Some people find it slightly ticklish. If you have sensitive teeth, tell the hygienist and they will adjust the powder and pressure. The treatment is usually faster than conventional polishing, which many patients notice.
Who it suits
Airflow works well for:
- Anyone with coffee, tea, wine or tobacco staining
- Patients with braces or aligner attachments, which trap plaque
- Implant patients, as it cleans around the implant without damaging the surface
- Anyone with veneers or composite bonding, which it polishes safely
- People who find traditional scaling uncomfortable
We would discuss alternatives first if you have:
- Active gum disease that needs treatment before polishing
- A respiratory condition such as poorly controlled asthma
- A sodium-restricted diet, where the powder would be changed
Your hygienist will go through your medical history before starting.
What it costs and how often
Airflow is part of our hygiene appointments. Dental hygiene at M Dental starts from £115, and we also offer an AirPolish appointment.
For most people, every six months alongside a routine hygiene appointment. If you smoke or drink several cups of coffee or tea a day, every three to four months keeps staining from building up. Patients with braces often benefit from more frequent visits.
Airflow and whitening together
If you are considering whitening, have the hygiene appointment first. Whitening works more evenly on a clean tooth surface, and you may find that stain removal alone gets you close enough to the shade you wanted.
Our hygienists will tell you honestly if they think stain removal is all you need.
After your appointment
Avoid coffee, tea, red wine, curry and tobacco for a few hours, as the surface is briefly more receptive to staining. Otherwise brush and clean between your teeth as usual.
Book a hygiene appointment at M Dental Canada Water (SE16) or Greenwich (SE10). Call 020 4518 8554 or 020 4541 8517.
