What is Airflow Polishing?
Airflow is an advanced professional polishing treatment that uses a controlled jet of warm water, air, and very fine powder particles to remove surface stains and plaque. Unlike traditional scale-and-polish methods, it is gentle yet highly effective, and it works without scraping your teeth.
It’s particularly good at removing common stains caused by coffee, tea, red wine, smoking, and pigmented foods.
Why Patients Choose Airflow at Chiltern Avenue Dental Practice?
- Gentle and comfortable — Because the Airflow device doesn’t make direct contact with your enamel, it’s more comfortable, especially for patients with sensitive teeth.
- Faster cleaning — The process can be significantly quicker than traditional polishing.
- Deep reach — The jet can access tricky areas like interdental spaces and around dental restorations (crowns, implants, braces) to remove bacteria and staining.
- Safe for restorations — The fine powder is safe to use around veneers, implants, bridges, crowns, and braces without damaging them.
- Brightening effect — While not a whitening treatment, Airflow effectively lifts surface discolouration for a noticeably brighter smile.
What to Expect During Your Appointment
- Initial assessment – Your hygienist will first examine your teeth, checking for buildup, staining, and any areas that need particular attention.
- Airflow application – The hygienist will use the Airflow handpiece to gently spray the water-air-powder mixture across your teeth and gums.
- Polishing process – This jet action lifts away superficial stains, plaque, and bacterial biofilm efficiently and comfortably.
- Review and final rinse – Once polishing is complete, your hygienist will rinse your mouth and check the results, making sure your teeth feel clean and smooth.
The whole procedure typically takes around 20–30 minutes, depending on your individual needs.
Benefits of Airflow Treatment
- Effective stain removal — Targets common stains from coffee, tea, wine, and smoking.
- Better oral hygiene support — Helps clear bacteria from hard-to-reach areas, supporting gum health.
- Improved comfort — Minimally invasive; no scraping and less discomfort than traditional polishing.
- Quick — Ideal for busy schedules.
- Restorations safe — Can be used around restorative dental work without damaging it.
Frequently asked questions
No. Airflow is minimally invasive, and most patients find it very comfortable. There is no scraping and no vibration, making it a great option for nervous patients.
We usually recommend avoiding strongly coloured food and drink (such as, beetroot, berries, red wine, tea and coffee) for a couple of hours afterwards to help maintain your results.
Most patients benefit from Airflow every 6 months as part of their routine hygiene care. However, if you consume a lot of tea, coffee, red wine, or smoke, you may choose to have it more frequently.
Airflow is not a whitening treatment, but it removes the surface stains that make teeth appear dull or discoloured. Many patients notice a brighter, cleaner smile straight away.
Yes. Many patients with sensitivity find Airflow more comfortable than traditional polishing because it uses warm water and gentle powder rather than metal instruments.
