Air Polishing for Teeth
Also called Airflow or jet polishing — a gentle way to lift coffee, tea, wine and smoking stains without scraping. £125 as part of a comprehensive hygiene visit in Edgware.
What is air polishing?
Air polishing is a professional cleaning technique that uses a controlled jet of compressed air, warm water and a very fine powder to lift surface stain and soft plaque biofilm from teeth. Nothing scrapes the tooth: the powder does the work, and the water carries it away. You may see it called Airflow, air polish or jet polishing — these all describe the same type of treatment, with Airflow being one of the best-known brand names for the equipment.
It is normally used alongside scaling rather than instead of it. Scaling removes hardened tartar; air polishing removes the softer film and the staining that sits on top of enamel. At Toothi both are included in our comprehensive hygiene appointment (£125, up to 30 minutes).
What happens in the chair
1. Assessment first
We check your gums, your medical history and how much hardened tartar is present. Air polishing is not right for every mouth, and that decision is a clinical one.
2. Scaling where needed
Hardened deposits are removed first with an ultrasonic scaler. Powder alone will not shift calculus.
3. The polish itself
A fine jet of air, water and powder is guided over each tooth surface, including around brackets, bridges and implants. Most people describe it as a cool, slightly salty spray.
4. Aftercare
We will talk through what caused the staining — and how to slow it coming back. Avoid strongly coloured food and drink for a few hours afterwards.
Air polishing vs a traditional scale and polish
| Air polishing (Airflow) | Traditional scale & polish | |
|---|---|---|
| How it cleans | Jet of air, water and fine powder | Ultrasonic scaler plus rubber cup and paste |
| Best at | Surface stain and soft biofilm | Hardened tartar and calculus |
| Contact with the tooth | None — nothing touches the enamel | Instrument and cup contact |
| Around braces and implants | Reaches awkward areas easily | Harder to access |
| How it feels | Usually more comfortable; no scraping sensation | Some people find the vibration unpleasant |
In practice they are partners, not rivals. Most patients need some scaling; air polishing is what makes the visible difference to stained teeth on the day.
Who air polishing is not for
It is a gentle treatment, but it is not suitable for everybody, and any practice that tells you otherwise is not being straight with you. We would usually avoid or modify it if you:
- ✓ have a significant respiratory condition such as poorly controlled asthma, COPD or chronic bronchitis
- ✓ are on a medically restricted low-sodium diet (the standard powder is sodium bicarbonate — a glycine or erythritol powder may be used instead)
- ✓ have active, untreated gum disease or significant root sensitivity, where gum treatment comes first
- ✓ have an active respiratory infection on the day of your appointment
Your medical history is reviewed at every hygiene visit. Suitability, and the powder used, is always a clinical decision made after assessment.
How much does air polishing cost?
| Comprehensive hygiene therapy with Airflow (up to 30 mins) | £125 |
| Basic hygiene therapy | £70 |
| New patient examination | £55 |
Across the UK, air polishing is usually sold either as part of an extended hygiene appointment or as a small add-on to a standard one, so headline prices vary a good deal between practices. At Toothi it is included in the £125 comprehensive hygiene visit rather than charged separately. See the full fee guide.
What it is good for
- ✓ Surface staining — tea, coffee, red wine and tobacco stain typically lifts in a single visit, though how much comes off varies from person to person
- ✓ Comfort — often preferred by people with sensitive teeth or a history of nervous dental visits
- ✓ Around dental work — safe used appropriately around bonding, veneers, implants and orthodontic attachments
- ✓ Before whitening — starting from a clean, stain-free surface helps professional whitening (from £250) work evenly
Air polishing FAQs
Is air polishing good for teeth?
Used appropriately it is a well-established hygiene treatment. Because nothing scrapes the enamel, it is gentler than instrument polishing and reaches areas that are hard to clean around braces, bridges and implants. It is not a substitute for scaling where hardened tartar is present, and suitability depends on your medical history.
Is air polishing safe for teeth? Can it damage enamel?
The powders are far softer than enamel and are delivered at a controlled pressure, so enamel damage is not expected when the treatment is carried out by a trained clinician on suitable surfaces. Care is taken over exposed root surfaces and around the gum margin, and the powder type is chosen to suit your mouth.
How much is Airflow teeth cleaning in the UK?
It varies widely because practices package it differently — sometimes as an add-on, sometimes within a longer hygiene appointment. At Toothi in Edgware it is included in our comprehensive hygiene therapy at £125 for up to 30 minutes, with basic hygiene therapy at £70.
Does air polishing whiten teeth?
Not in the way whitening gel does. It removes stain sitting on the surface, so teeth usually look cleaner and brighter afterwards, but it does not change the natural shade of the tooth underneath. If you want to change the shade itself, that is professional whitening — from £250, and results vary between individuals.
Is Airflow better than a normal hygienist appointment?
It is not a replacement for one. A hygiene appointment includes assessment of your gums, scaling and advice; air polishing is one of the tools used within it. What it adds is more effective stain removal and, for most people, a more comfortable experience.
How long does air polishing last?
That depends almost entirely on habits. Heavy tea, coffee, red wine or tobacco use will bring staining back sooner. Most patients have it alongside their routine hygiene visits — commonly every six months, more often if you stain quickly. Your clinician will suggest an interval based on what they see.
Does it hurt?
Most people find it noticeably more comfortable than conventional scraping and polishing. Some feel a cool spray or mild sensitivity, particularly if gums are inflamed or roots are exposed — tell your clinician and the technique can be adjusted.
Can I have air polishing with braces or implants?
Yes, and it is often particularly useful there, because the jet reaches around brackets, wires and implant abutments where brushing and instruments struggle. The powder and pressure are selected accordingly.
Call 020 3148 2444 or WhatsApp us
Related: dental hygiene in Edgware · hygienist near Harrow · hygienist near Mill Hill · teeth whitening
Individual results vary and all treatment is subject to clinical assessment.
Page reviewed by Dr Ali El-Kabengi (GDC 270807) · Updated 15 August 2026
