Air Polishing Old Street, City Road & Enfield

A Gentle Way to Remove Surface Stains and Refresh Your Smile

Air polishing is a hygiene treatment that uses a controlled jet of compressed air, water, and fine cleaning powder to remove surface stains and soft plaque from the teeth. It is often used alongside routine scaling as part of a professional dental clean.

At Dental Arts Studio in City Road and Enfield, London, our hygienists assess your teeth and gums to determine whether air polishing is a suitable option for you, and explain what the treatment involves so you can make an informed decision.

Interested in a Professional Clean?

0207 250 3536 (City Road) | 0208 362 3110 (Enfield)

What Is Air Polishing?

Air polishing works by directing a fine stream of air, water, and a specially formulated powder across the surface of the teeth. This helps to lift surface staining and soft deposits without the need for the mechanical scraping used in traditional polishing.

Air polishing is often used to help with:

Surface staining caused by tea, coffee, red wine, or tobacco
A build-up of soft plaque between regular check-ups
Preparing tooth surfaces before certain other treatments, such as fissure sealants or bonding

Whether air polishing is suitable for you depends on your oral health, the type of staining present, and any relevant medical considerations. Your hygienist will assess this and discuss whether it, or another type of cleaning, is the best fit for your needs.

Who May Benefit from Air Polishing?

You may want to discuss air polishing with our team if you are experiencing:

Visible surface stains from drinks such as tea, coffee, or red wine
Discolouration linked to smoking or tobacco use
A build-up of soft plaque or a dull appearance to your teeth
A preference for a gentler alternative to traditional hand or ultrasonic scaling for stain removal

An assessment with our hygienist or dentist will help confirm whether air polishing is a suitable option for your teeth and gums.

What Air Polishing Can Help With

Surface staining

Air polishing is commonly used to reduce staining from everyday drinks and tobacco, helping to refresh the appearance of the tooth surface.

Soft plaque build-up

The fine powder and water spray can help remove soft plaque deposits that have accumulated on the tooth surface.

Preparation for other treatments

Some dentists use air polishing to clean the tooth surface before procedures such as fissure sealants, where a clean surface can support the treatment.

Support alongside a hygiene routine

Air polishing is often carried out alongside a routine scale and polish as part of a broader oral hygiene appointment, rather than replacing daily brushing and flossing at home.

Before Your Air Polishing Treatment

Initial assessment

Your hygienist will examine your teeth and gums and ask about your medical history, as certain conditions may mean air polishing is not suitable for you.

Discussing your needs

Your hygienist will explain what to expect, how many sessions may be helpful, and whether air polishing or another form of cleaning best suits your situation.

Managing expectations

Air polishing addresses surface staining and soft plaque; it will not change the natural colour of your teeth or remove staining that lies beneath the enamel surface. Your hygienist can discuss other options, such as tooth whitening, if you are looking to lighten your natural tooth colour.

The Air Polishing Treatment Process

Step 1: Preparation

Your hygienist will explain the procedure and may place a barrier, such as a lip guard, to protect your soft tissues during treatment.

Step 2: Application

A handheld device delivers a controlled spray of air, water, and fine powder across the tooth surfaces to lift stains and soft deposits.

Step 3: Rinsing and review

Your mouth is rinsed thoroughly, and your hygienist will check the results and let you know if any further cleaning or treatment is recommended.

Step 4: Aftercare advice

You will be given guidance on maintaining your results, including your daily oral hygiene routine and how diet and lifestyle factors, such as smoking, can affect future staining.

Benefits of Air Polishing

For suitable patients, air polishing may help:

Reduce visible surface staining on the teeth
Remove soft plaque build-up gently
Leave the tooth surface feeling smooth and clean
Support a more comfortable experience for some patients compared with traditional scaling for stain removal

As with any hygiene treatment, results vary between individuals depending on the type and amount of staining present, and your hygienist can discuss what to realistically expect in your case.

Cost of Air Polishing

The cost of air polishing depends on whether it is carried out as a standalone treatment or alongside a routine scale and polish, and how many sessions are recommended.

Treatment fees

We provide clear costs before any treatment begins, so you can make an informed decision without pressure.

Payment and finance

Finance options may be available to help spread the cost of treatment where relevant — please ask our team for details.

Want to Know if Air Polishing Is Right for You?

0207 250 3536 | 0208 362 3110

Maintaining Your Results

Looking after your teeth between appointments can help you enjoy the results of air polishing for longer, although new staining can occur over time.

Maintain good oral hygiene — Brush twice daily and clean between your teeth daily to help reduce plaque build-up.
Attend regular hygiene appointments — Routine visits help manage staining and plaque before they build up significantly.
Be mindful of staining foods and drinks — Tea, coffee, red wine, and tobacco are common causes of surface staining.
Rinse or brush after staining foods or drinks where practical — This can help reduce the build-up of new surface stains between visits.
Contact us if you notice sensitivity — Some patients experience mild, temporary sensitivity after treatment; let us know if this continues or concerns you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Am I suitable for air polishing?

Suitability depends on your oral health and certain medical factors, which your hygienist will discuss with you at your assessment. Most patients with surface staining or soft plaque build-up are suitable candidates, but your hygienist will confirm this is the right option for you.

Does air polishing hurt?

Air polishing is generally well tolerated and is often considered more comfortable than traditional scaling for removing surface stains. Some patients may notice mild, temporary sensitivity afterwards.

How long does an air polishing session take?

Session length varies depending on the amount of staining present and whether it is combined with a routine scale and polish. Your hygienist can give you a more specific timescale at your assessment.

How much does air polishing cost?

Costs vary depending on whether the treatment is standalone or combined with other hygiene treatment. We provide clear costs before any treatment begins so you know what to expect.

Will air polishing whiten my teeth?

Air polishing removes surface staining rather than changing the natural colour of your teeth. If you are looking to lighten your tooth colour, your dentist can discuss options such as professional tooth whitening.

How often should I have air polishing?

This depends on factors such as your diet, smoking habits, and how quickly staining builds up for you. Your hygienist can recommend a suitable interval as part of your regular hygiene routine.

Is air polishing better than a traditional scale and polish?

Air polishing and traditional scaling can each be suitable depending on the type of staining or deposits present. Your hygienist may recommend one, or a combination of both, based on an assessment of your teeth and gums.

Interested in Air Polishing? Book an Appointment Today

Every patient’s teeth and gums are different, and your hygienist will confirm whether air polishing is a suitable choice for your needs. Book an appointment with our team to discuss your options for a professional clean.

We know it’s not always easy to get to a dentist during the working week, so as well as routine private dentist care, we offer Saturday and late night appointments in Enfield, and same day dental appointments for patients from City Road and Old Street, including corporate and lunchtime checkup bookings.

Speak to Our Team