Microabrasion
Microabrasion is a refined dental procedure designed to remove superficial stains and discoloration from the enamel’s surface.
Dental care in Kitsilano
Airflow Dental Cleaning
Looking for professional teeth cleaning in Vancouver? At Westcoast Smile in Kitsilano, AIRFLOW® helps remove dental biofilm and surface stains as part of care tailored to your teeth, gums and comfort.
Teeth Cleaning with Airflow® in Vancouver
At Westcoast Smile Dental Studio in Kitsilano, Vancouver, AIRFLOW dental cleaning combines air, water and fine powder to remove dental biofilm (soft bacterial plaque) and surface stains. It is part of a hygiene appointment that also considers gum health, tartar buildup and your home-care routine. Whether you are keeping up with regular care or returning after a longer gap, we will explain what your mouth needs before treatment.
GBT care in Kitsilano, listed in the official EMS practice finder. Westcoast Smile appears in the official GBT practice directory at our West 1st Avenue address in Vancouver. Our team has experience using AIRFLOW within the GBT workflow and adapting care to different teeth, restorations and gum-health needs. Explore how our Guided Biofilm Therapy approach brings assessment, AIRFLOW biofilm removal and targeted scaling together.
What is Airflow dental cleaning?
AIRFLOW is an air-polishing technology developed by EMS. Guided Biofilm Therapy (GBT) is the wider approach that combines assessment, plaque disclosure, biofilm removal and any further cleaning needed. AIRFLOW and tooth scaling have different jobs; established tartar may still require ultrasonic or hand instruments. Your appointment can include the following steps, selected for your needs:
- Disclosing Solution: A disclosing solution colours soft plaque so that you and your hygienist can see where biofilm remains. We also assess your gums and check for tartar; the dye does not replace a gum examination.
- Airflow: A controlled spray of air, water and suitable fine powder removes biofilm and many external stains, including staining associated with tea, coffee or tobacco. Powder and settings are chosen for the surfaces being cleaned. AIRFLOW is not a bleaching treatment.
- PerioFlow: Where appropriate, a dedicated PERIOFLOW nozzle can deliver air, water and suitable powder to remove biofilm below the gumline. Use depends on your gum assessment and the device’s treatment indications; it is not a substitute for treating periodontitis.
- Piezon: PIEZON ultrasonic scaling, or hand instruments where needed, removes remaining hard calculus (tartar). Some fine powders can remove early calculus, but air polishing alone should not be assumed to remove all established deposits. We check the result and discuss your next steps.
Benefits of Airflow Teeth Cleaning:
At Westcoast Smile Dental Studio, we match the cleaning approach to your needs rather than using the same treatment for every mouth. AIRFLOW can offer:
- Reduced Discomfort: Warm water and adjustable settings can make cleaning more comfortable, particularly if cold water or scraping has bothered you before. Sensitive areas and any need for additional comfort measures are assessed individually.
- Enhanced Efficiency: The air-water-powder spray can reach around tooth contours and difficult areas for biofilm removal. Your hygienist checks for remaining deposits and uses other instruments when required.
- Improved Oral Health: Professional removal of biofilm supports the control of plaque-related gum inflammation alongside daily brushing and cleaning between teeth. Ongoing care and treatment of any gum disease remain important; no cleaning method guarantees that disease will not develop.
Explore the benefits and limitations of AIRFLOW teeth cleaning, including comfort, stain removal and how it compares with scaling and polishing.
Choose Westcoast Smile for Exceptional Dental Hygiene
A useful cleaning appointment leaves you knowing more than whether your teeth feel smooth. We explain areas that need attention, how to clean around existing dental work and whether your gums need additional care. Our dental hygiene appointment guide explains the assessment and prevention side of your visit.
If you have bleeding gums, persistent bad breath, a sensitive area or staining you would like checked, tell our team when you contact us. We will help you arrange an appropriate visit at our Kitsilano clinic. A cleaning request does not replace assessment of tooth pain, swelling or other symptoms.
A cleaning plan for the things you notice
Plaque, tartar or bleeding gums
If your gums bleed or your teeth feel coated, start with a gum assessment. AIRFLOW targets biofilm; remaining tartar is treated with appropriate scaling. Persistent bleeding or bad breath deserves an assessment, even if your teeth do not hurt.
Tea, coffee and surface stains
AIRFLOW can help remove many external stains. It is different from teeth whitening or treatment for changes within the enamel. We can help identify which option fits the cause of the discolouration.
Sensitive teeth or an overdue visit
Let us know if cleaning has been uncomfortable or it has been a while since your last appointment. We can explain the steps, discuss comfort needs and plan the amount of care required without rushing to a one-size-fits-all treatment.
Implants, restorations or orthodontic care
Cleaning around implants, crowns, veneers, braces and attachments needs suitable instruments and powders. Your hygienist will assess what is appropriate for your dental work and help you with the areas that are difficult to clean at home.
Routine cleaning, deep cleaning and gum maintenance
A routine hygiene visit, periodontal treatment and maintenance after gum treatment are not interchangeable. The right care depends on gum measurements, bleeding, deposits and any loss of support around the teeth. If periodontitis is present, your plan may include cleaning below the gumline, often called scaling and root planing or deep cleaning, followed by reassessment.
AIRFLOW or PERIOFLOW may be part of a suitable plan, but neither automatically replaces periodontal treatment or professional maintenance. Read our preventive hygiene guide to routine and deeper cleaning and our explanation of Guided Biofilm Therapy for the differences.
Have dental implants or wear Invisalign aligners? Tell us before your visit so your cleaning and home-care advice account for them. AIRFLOW cleans appropriate oral surfaces; it is not a method for cleaning removable aligner trays.
Plan your AIRFLOW visit in Kitsilano
Before you book, ask what your proposed hygiene appointment includes: an assessment or dental examination, biofilm and stain removal, scaling, and any additional care that may be needed. The scope, appointment time and cost depend on your needs. We can explain the proposed care and provide an estimate; insurance benefits must be checked against your own plan.
Our clinic is at 1874 West 1st Avenue, Suite 1, Kitsilano, Vancouver. If this is your first visit or you are returning after a gap, mention any symptoms and previous gum treatment when contacting us. Tell us about access or comfort requirements before arranging your appointment.
For everyday care between visits, see our guide to healthy teeth and gums and dental hygiene questions.
Frequently asked questions
What is Airflow dental cleaning?
AIRFLOW dental cleaning uses air, water and suitable fine powder to remove soft bacterial plaque, also called biofilm, and many surface stains. At Westcoast Smile in Kitsilano, Vancouver, it is used within a hygiene plan that also considers gum health and any hard tartar that needs scaling.
How does Airflow dental cleaning work?
A handheld air-polishing device directs a controlled air-water-powder spray onto the areas being cleaned. Plaque disclosure can help show biofilm first. Your hygienist selects appropriate settings and instruments, checks for remaining deposits and explains the result.
Is Airflow teeth cleaning safe?
Suitability depends on your medical history, breathing conditions, allergies, oral health and the surfaces being cleaned. Trained professionals select the powder, device settings and technique for the situation. Tell us about relevant conditions before treatment so we can assess whether AIRFLOW or another approach is appropriate.
Is Airflow teeth cleaning painful?
Many people find AIRFLOW comfortable, but a pain-free experience cannot be promised. Inflamed gums, exposed roots and sensitive teeth can affect how cleaning feels. Tell your hygienist about discomfort so the approach can be adjusted and additional comfort options discussed.
How long does an Airflow teeth cleaning session take?
The time needed depends on your assessment, staining, tartar buildup and gum condition, and on whether other care is planned. AIRFLOW treatment time is only part of a complete hygiene appointment. Our team can explain the expected appointment length when arranging your visit.
How often should I get Airflow teeth cleaning done?
Your recall schedule should reflect your gum health, plaque and tartar buildup, medical factors, home care and any implants or other restorations. Some patients need more frequent maintenance than others. We will recommend an interval based on your assessment rather than a fixed AIRFLOW schedule for everyone.
What are the benefits of Airflow dental cleaning?
AIRFLOW can remove biofilm and many external stains, with adjustable water temperature and treatment settings to support comfort. It can complement cleaning around complex tooth surfaces and dental work when appropriate. It does not replace daily home care, required scaling or treatment of established gum disease.
Can Airflow teeth cleaning whiten my teeth?
Removing external stains can reveal a cleaner, brighter-looking natural tooth surface. AIRFLOW does not bleach teeth or change their underlying shade, and it cannot be expected to change the colour of crowns or veneers. Whitening is a separate treatment that can be discussed after assessment.
Is Airflow teeth cleaning suitable for sensitive teeth?
AIRFLOW may be an option for sensitive teeth, depending on the cause of sensitivity and your oral health. Tell us about sensitive areas before treatment. Settings, technique and other comfort measures can be adapted; new or persistent sensitivity should also be assessed.
How should I prepare for an Airflow teeth cleaning appointment?
Bring or update your medical history, medication list and insurance information if applicable. Tell us about allergies, breathing conditions, sensitivity, implants, restorations and any dental symptoms. Ask whether an examination or records are needed for your visit; do not stop prescribed medication unless your treating clinician advises it.
Is Airflow teeth cleaning covered by dental insurance?
Coverage depends on your individual plan and the services billed. Ask for an estimate that explains the proposed assessment, scaling, biofilm removal and any additional treatment, then confirm benefits, limits and exclusions with your insurer. We do not assume that AIRFLOW or every part of a hygiene visit is covered.
Are there any post-procedure instructions to follow?
Follow the instructions given for the care you actually receive. If fluoride, anaesthetic or additional gum treatment is used, specific eating or drinking advice may apply. Continue the brushing and between-teeth cleaning routine recommended for you, and contact the clinic about persistent pain, unusual swelling or ongoing bleeding.
Where can I get Airflow teeth cleaning done?
Westcoast Smile offers AIRFLOW dental cleaning at 1874 West 1st Avenue, Suite 1, in Kitsilano, Vancouver. Call (604) 737-1023 or use our appointment request form to ask about a visit. Our team will confirm the arrangements with you.
What’s the difference between traditional teeth cleaning and Airflow teeth cleaning?
Traditional hygiene care may combine hand or ultrasonic scaling with polishing. AIRFLOW uses an air-water-powder spray for biofilm and surface-stain removal. They are complementary approaches: remaining hard tartar may still need scaling, and the appropriate combination depends on your teeth and gums.
Ready to plan your next visit?
Request an appointment with Westcoast Smile Dental in Kitsilano, Vancouver.