EMS AIRFLOW® teeth cleaning in Coatbridge
We’ve brought Guided Biofilm Therapy (GBT) to Main Street Dental in Coatbridge, and it’s changed what a hygiene appointment feels like. Instead of lots of scraping and gritty polish, our EMS AIRFLOW® machine cleans your teeth with warm water, air and a very fine powder.
What is Guided Biofilm Therapy?
Biofilm is the soft, sticky layer of bacteria that builds up on your teeth every day. Plaque is the name most people know it by. Left alone, it hardens into tartar and is one of the main causes of gum disease and tooth decay.
Guided Biofilm Therapy is a way of removing it that was developed by EMS, a Swiss dental company. It’s based on clinical research and is now used by practices all over the world. The idea is simple: find the biofilm, remove it gently and thoroughly, and help you keep it under control at home.
It could be just what you need if:
- Your teeth feel sensitive during a normal hygiene appointment
- You're worried about gum disease
- You'd like a brighter smile with less staining
- You love that fresh, clean teeth feeling
How AIRFLOW® works
The AIRFLOW® handpiece sprays a fine mix of warm water, air and a very soft powder onto your teeth. The powder particles are tiny, so they get into places that brushes and hand instruments struggle to reach: between teeth, just under the gumline, and around braces, crowns, bridges and implants.
Because the water is warm, most people with sensitive teeth find it far more comfortable than a traditional scale and polish. Any hard tartar left afterwards is removed with a slim, gentle ultrasonic tip, so there’s much less scraping overall.
What happens at your appointment
Check and reveal
Your hygienist checks your teeth and gums for any signs of gum disease and asks how things have been since your last visit. They then paint on a harmless coloured solution that shows up the plaque, so you can both see exactly where it’s building up.
The AIRFLOW® clean
Warm water, air and a fine powder lift away the coloured plaque, staining and soft deposits, including just below the gumline. Any hard tartar left is removed with a fine ultrasonic tip, and because AIRFLOW® has already done most of the work, this part is quick.
Final check and your plan
We check every tooth is clean, show you the areas to focus on at home and suggest the right brushes or interdental cleaners for you. Then we agree when you should come back, based on your own needs.
Why patients love it
- It's gentle, even if your teeth are sensitive
- It lifts stains from tea, coffee, red wine and smoking
- It cleans around braces, implants, crowns and veneers without damaging them
- It reaches areas a standard clean can miss
- Your teeth feel smooth and fresh for days afterwards
- It helps keep gum disease under control
Who is it for?
AIRFLOW® is suitable for most adults and children. It’s especially good if you have sensitive teeth, wear braces or aligners, have implants or other dental work, are prone to gum problems, or just want your teeth looking their best before a wedding, holiday or big occasion.
If AIRFLOW® isn’t right for you for any reason, your hygienist will let you know and suggest the best alternative.
Frequently asked questions
Most patients find it very comfortable. The warm water helps with sensitivity, and there's far less scraping than with a traditional clean. If anything feels uncomfortable, just let your hygienist know.
Yes. The powder is gentle enough to use around braces, implants, crowns, bridges and veneers, and it's one of the best ways to clean around them.
AIRFLOW® removes surface stains, so your teeth can look noticeably brighter. It won't change the natural shade of your teeth, though. If you'd like them whiter than their natural colour, ask us about teeth whitening.
It depends on your teeth and gums. For most people it's every six months, but if you're prone to gum problems or staining your hygienist may suggest coming more often.
Most appointments take 30 to 45 minutes. Your first one may take a little longer, as we'll spend time checking your gums and talking through your routine.
Everyone’s teeth respond differently, but most people see a lovely, natural-looking lift. You’re in control of how far you go—we’ll guide you every step of the way.
