Air polishing is just that – it’s the practice of polishing the teeth using a stream of air that’s directed onto them. Some dental air polishers may also use a stream of water. The air works in two ways. Firstly, it ‘blows’ onto the teeth and gums to remove any buildups of dirt, and get rid of any food that may have become trapped, which is especially common if you choose not to floss. Secondly, it blows an abrasive powder onto the teeth which helps to tackle stubborn stains such as tea and coffee.

One of the biggest concerns with air polishing is the use of sodium bicarbonate as an abrasive. It’s reported that 1 in every 3 adults in the US suffers with hypertension, or high blood pressure, and many are advised to adhere to a low sodium diet to help keep symptoms under control. The use of sodium bicarbonate, which has a high salt content, could potentially be risky for some dental patients. A number of clinics are now using calcium carbonate instead, so this is worth checking with your practice.

For example, in supragingival polishing, the powder of choice is usually sodium bicarbonate which is abrasive and helpful with the removal of heavy stains and soft deposits above the gumline. With subgingival air polishers, the tip is specialized to be able to effectively enter the periodontal pocket and deliver a very low abrasive powder. The powder of choice with subgingival air polishing is Glycine. Glycine is an amino acid and is significantly smaller in particle size than sodium bicarbonate. It appears to have an active role in the disruption of bacterial recolonization making it both preventive and therapeutic.

Another concern is that air polishing could reduce bond strengths on tooth restorations, and so it is generally advised that patients with restorations stick to traditional polishing techniques using dedicated nanocomposite polishers which are not only safe to use on restorations, but also provide a great finish.

Anyone who has ever cringed as a scraping tool digs into their gums or a polishing disc presses onto tooth enamel will welcome air polishing for its painless, fast and non-invasive method of cleaning. Even deep pockets and interproximal areas are easily reached without uncomfortable and potentially damaging probing by curettes and scrapers and with no instrument contact, the technique does not generate any heat or vibration. The non-toxic powder used in air polishing is also more pleasant and less gritty than the heavy paste used in traditional polishing. Air polishing powders with added flavors, such as spearmint, have even been developed for use in machines, making the experience even more pleasant.