Airflow is a professional teeth cleaning system that goes beyond what a standard scale and polish can achieve. If you have been noticing staining from coffee, tea or other sources that regular brushing is not shifting, Airflow offers a more effective solution. Here is a clear explanation of how it works and what to expect.
How Does Airflow Work?
Airflow uses a precisely controlled combination of air, warm water and very fine powder particles to clean the tooth surface and the area just beneath the gum line. The particles are projected onto the teeth using a specialised handpiece, dislodging and removing deposits that accumulate over time.
The technique is able to reach areas that are difficult to clean using conventional instruments, including between teeth, along the gum margin and in the shallow pockets that can form around the tooth root. This makes it particularly effective as a complement to a thorough hygiene programme.
What Does Airflow Remove?
Airflow is highly effective at removing:
- Surface staining from coffee, tea, red wine and food
- Tobacco staining from smoking or vaping
- Soft deposits and biofilm from the tooth surface and gum margin
- Early plaque accumulation in hard-to-reach areas
It is important to understand what Airflow does not do: it is not a substitute for the mechanical removal of hardened tartar (calculus) using scaling instruments. At Manor Lodge, Airflow is used as part of a comprehensive hygiene appointment that includes a full gum health assessment and, where necessary, scaling.
Is Airflow Better Than a Standard Scale and Polish?
Airflow and a scale and polish serve complementary purposes rather than being direct alternatives. A scale and polish focuses on removing hardened calculus deposits using hand or ultrasonic instruments. Airflow is more effective at removing soft deposits and surface staining, and is considerably gentler on the tooth surface and gum tissue than some traditional polishing techniques.
For many patients, particularly those with sensitivity or significant staining, Airflow provides a more comfortable and more thorough clean than standard polishing. At Manor Lodge, we assess each patient individually and tailor the hygiene appointment to their specific clinical needs.
What Does Airflow Feel Like?
Most patients find Airflow a comfortable and well-tolerated experience. The sensation is different from conventional cleaning: rather than the scraping associated with scaling, you will feel a fine spray directed across the tooth surface. Some patients experience mild sensitivity to the temperature of the water, which is easily managed.
The treatment requires no anaesthetic in the vast majority of cases. Appointments are calm and unhurried, with the focus on both clinical thoroughness and patient comfort.
Before and After Airflow: What Results Can You Expect?
For patients with visible staining, the results of Airflow treatment are often striking. Surface staining that has accumulated over months or years can be significantly reduced in a single appointment, leaving teeth noticeably brighter and the tooth surface smoother and cleaner.
It is worth noting that Airflow removes staining and biofilm from the natural tooth surface. It does not change the underlying colour of the tooth enamel itself. For patients seeking a significant shade change, professional teeth whitening is the appropriate next step and Airflow provides an excellent preparation for it.
How Often Should You Have Airflow Treatment?
For most patients, Airflow cleaning is incorporated into a routine hygiene appointment every three to six months, depending on your individual level of staining and gum health. Patients who smoke, drink significant quantities of tea or coffee, or who have a history of gum disease may benefit from more frequent visits.
Your hygienist will assess your needs at each appointment and recommend a personalised schedule that supports your long-term oral health.
Airflow Teeth Cleaning in Edgware
At Manor Lodge Dental Practice, Airflow is available as part of our hygiene service in Edgware. We offer direct access hygiene appointments with no dentist referral required, with evening and weekend availability to suit busy schedules.
We welcome patients from Edgware, Burnt Oak, Mill Hill, Stanmore, Colindale and the surrounding areas of North London.