Air polishing is a professional dental cleaning technique that uses a controlled jet of water, compressed air and a fine flavoured powder to gently remove plaque, tartar and surface staining from your teeth. At Pure Smiles in Fulham, our hygienists use air polishing as the standard method for cleaning teeth — it is more comfortable than traditional scaling and produces superior results for stain removal.
Air polishing is not a cosmetic whitening treatment. It is a cleaning procedure that restores your teeth to their natural colour by removing surface deposits and staining caused by food, drink and tobacco.
The hygienist directs a fine spray of water, air and sodium bicarbonate powder (or a glycine-based powder for sensitive patients) at your tooth surfaces. This combination lifts away:
The process is pain-free for most patients and takes around 30 minutes as part of a standard hygiene appointment. learn more
Patients often confuse air polishing with teeth whitening, or wonder how it compares to traditional scaling. Here is a direct comparison.
| Factor | Air Polishing | Traditional Scaling | Teeth Whitening |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Removes plaque, tartar and surface stains | Removes tartar and calculus deposits | Changes the underlying shade of teeth |
| Method | Water, air and fine powder spray | Metal or ultrasonic instruments scrape deposits | Bleaching agent applied to teeth |
| Comfort | Gentle; minimal discomfort | Can feel scraping; may cause sensitivity | May cause temporary sensitivity |
| Result | Teeth restored to natural colour | Clean teeth; less effective for staining | Teeth several shades whiter than natural colour |
| Performed by | Dental hygienist | Dental hygienist | Dentist or supervised home use |
| Duration | 20-30 minutes | 20-40 minutes | 2-4 weeks (Enlighten Evolution) |
| Recommended before whitening? | Yes — removes surface deposits for better whitening results | Yes | N/A |
Pure Smiles recommends air polishing before any whitening treatment. Removing surface plaque and staining first allows the whitening agent to work more evenly and effectively. learn more
Around 66% of adults in the UK have visible plaque on their teeth. Even with diligent brushing and flossing, plaque accumulates in areas that are difficult to reach at home. Air polishing addresses this problem efficiently and comfortably.
Air polishing is not a one-off fix. It is most effective when scheduled as part of regular hygiene visits, typically every six months. Consistent appointments prevent plaque from hardening into tartar, which is much harder to remove.
Air polishing is suitable for most patients, including those who:
If you have very sensitive teeth or gums, our hygienists can adjust the powder type and pressure to ensure your comfort throughout the appointment.
Air polishing is available at both Pure Smiles locations in Fulham: 257 New Kings Road, SW6 4RB and 750a Fulham Road, SW6 5SH. You do not need a dentist referral — you can book a hygiene appointment directly.
Call 020 7736 6276 to schedule your visit. learn more
No. Air polishing is gentle and pain-free for the vast majority of patients. The fine powder and water spray feel like a light pressure on your teeth. If you have sensitive areas, let your hygienist know and they will adjust the technique.
Most patients benefit from air polishing every six months as part of their regular hygiene appointment. If you have heavy staining from smoking, coffee or tea, your hygienist may recommend more frequent visits.
Air polishing removes surface stains to restore your teeth to their natural colour, but it does not change the underlying shade. If you want teeth that are whiter than your natural colour, ask about Enlighten Evolution teeth whitening at Pure Smiles.
Yes. Air polishing is particularly useful for patients with braces or other orthodontic appliances, as it can clean around brackets and wires more effectively than traditional scaling methods.
