Gentle Air Polishing

Quick answer: Gentle Air Polishing cleaning is a modern hygiene treatment offered by the hygienists at Redwater Dental Clinic. Instead of scraping with metal instruments, a modern air-polishing system uses a controlled jet of warm water, air, and a fine, tooth-safe powder to lift surface stains, plaque, and the bacterial biofilm that causes gum disease — even from between teeth and around implants and braces. It is faster, far more comfortable, and most patients describe it as a warm spa treatment for their mouth. Ask for Gentle Air Polishing at your next hygiene visit, or call 780-942-4691.

What Is Air Polishing?

Air polishing is a modern hygiene technique. Traditional cleanings rely on your hygienist scraping tartar and stain off each tooth with hand and ultrasonic instruments. Air polishing takes a different approach: a precisely controlled stream of warm water and air carries a very fine erythritol powder — a natural sugar alcohol that is gentle on enamel and safe to swallow — which washes away plaque, biofilm, and surface stains in a fraction of the time, with no scraping sensation and no pressure on sensitive areas.

For patients who dread the dentist, air polishing is often the appointment that changes their mind about hygiene visits.

Why Patients Love Air Polishing

• Gentle on teeth and gums — no metal instruments on sensitive teeth, exposed roots, or receding gums
• Lifts stubborn stains from coffee, tea, red wine, and smoking that regular polishing leaves behind
• Removes the biofilm that causes gum disease, including deep between teeth and just below the gumline
• Safe around dental work — ideal for implants, crowns, veneers, bonding, and braces or clear-aligner attachments
• Faster appointments with noticeably smoother, cleaner-feeling teeth afterward
• Warm and comfortable — the water is heated, so there is none of the cold-sensitivity of a standard cleaning
• Great for dental anxiety — quiet, quick, and virtually pain-free

What to Expect at Your Air Polishing Visit

1. Assessment — your hygienist checks your teeth and gums and applies a disclosing agent that makes hidden plaque visible
2. Air polishing — the warm water-and-powder spray removes stains and biofilm from every tooth surface, above and below the gumline
3. Gentle ultrasonic — if you have any hardened tartar (calculus), a gentle ultrasonic tip removes it with far less scraping than traditional scaling
4. Check & fluoride — a final check that every surface is clean, then fluoride if it is part of your plan
5. Home care coaching — because you have seen exactly where plaque hides, we can show you precisely where to focus your brushing

Is Air Polishing Right for Me?

Air polishing is suitable for almost everyone, and it is especially valuable if you:

• Have sensitive teeth or find traditional scaling uncomfortable
• Drink coffee, tea, or red wine, or smoke
• Have dental implants, veneers, crowns, or bonding you want cleaned safely
• Wear braces or clear aligners
• Have gum disease or are on a Perio Protect program and want the deepest possible biofilm removal between visits
• Experience dental anxiety

Your hygienist will let you know at your appointment if a traditional cleaning is still the better fit for your teeth that day — for example, if there is significant hardened tartar to remove.

How Much Does Air Polishing Cost?

Gentle Air Polishing is offered as part of your regular hygiene visit at Redwater Dental Clinic, billed at 2026 Alberta Dental Fee Guide rates for scaling and polishing — so for most patients with dental insurance it is covered the same way as a standard cleaning (typically 80–100%). Membership Plan patients have their two annual cleanings included. We will confirm the exact cost for your visit in writing before we begin. See our full 2026 price list.

Air Polishing vs. a Traditional Cleaning

Gentle Air Polishing is provided by our registered dental hygienists, Shauna and Helen. Simply ask for it when you book, or mention it at the start of your next hygiene appointment.