At a dental hygiene appointment, you may hear the term air polishing. SW11 Clinic’s dental hygiene page lists it as a service and describes it as a fine powder spray used to remove surface stains. If you are comparing hygiene appointments at a dentist in Clapham, it helps to understand how air polishing differs from other procedures.
How does air polishing differ from a scale and polish?
Air polishing is used for stain removal: a clinical study of air-polishing powders examined their use for dental staining. A scale and polish has a different description. The NHS explains that it involves a hygienist carefully removing plaque and tartar that build up on teeth.
Ask whether a proposed hygiene visit includes scaling, air polishing, or both. The word “polishing” alone does not tell you which procedure is planned, so it is worth clarifying what the appointment includes before booking.
Is air polishing the same as teeth whitening?
No. The clinic lists air polishing and teeth whitening as separate services. The NHS describes teeth whitening as treatment that lightens tooth colour. Air polishing, by contrast, is described by the clinic as addressing surface stains. If your question is about changing the shade of your teeth, ask the dental team about whitening rather than assuming a hygiene appointment includes it.
What should I ask before booking?
You can ask whether air polishing is offered as a separate appointment or alongside scaling, what the appointment includes, and whether it is relevant to the concern you want to discuss. Mention any sensitivity or particular areas you would like the hygienist to know about.
The clinic’s page says its hygiene visit includes oral-hygiene instruction, so you can also ask for practical advice on keeping your teeth clean at home. The service page does not say that air polishing is needed for every patient; the dental team can clarify what is appropriate for your appointment.
Home care still matters
Professional cleaning does not replace daily care. The NHS advises brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, cleaning between teeth every day, and spitting after brushing without rinsing. NICE guidance on oral-health promotion in dental practice also recommends advice about oral-hygiene practices and fluoride during dental examinations. Use your hygiene visit to ask which everyday techniques suit your mouth.
To ask about air polishing at SW11 Clinic in Clapham Junction, contact the clinic to enquire about a dental hygiene appointment. Explain what you would like to discuss and ask which services the appointment will include.
This article provides general information, not an individual diagnosis or treatment recommendation. Your dental team can advise after assessing your oral health.