Have you ever wondered why your hygienist uses a purple solution before cleaning your teeth, or what the AIRFLOW® machine actually does?

At Carling Dental, we use EMS AIRFLOW® as part of Guided Biofilm Therapy (GBT) to make hygiene treatment more focused and personalised.

But what exactly does that mean?

In this guide, we’ll explain what dental biofilm is, why it is disclosed before treatment, how AIRFLOW® works, what Guided Biofilm Therapy involves, and how it differs from teeth whitening.

What is dental biofilm?

Dental biofilm is the sticky layer that develops on your teeth and around your gums. You may simply know it as plaque. Even with regular brushing, some areas can be difficult to clean thoroughly, particularly between the teeth and around the gumline. Over time, biofilm can contribute to problems such as tooth decay and gum disease.

This is why keeping biofilm under control is an important part of maintaining good oral health. Research into Guided Biofilm Therapy has also highlighted the important role of biofilm removal in preventive and periodontal care.

Why do we colour your teeth purple?

This is one of the questions we hear most often. Before treatment, a disclosing solution can be applied to the teeth. It makes areas where biofilm is present easier to see.

Instead of simply cleaning the teeth and trying to judge where plaque has accumulated, the dental professional can see where the biofilm is and use that information to guide the cleaning process.

What is Guided Biofilm Therapy?

Guided Biofilm Therapy (GBT) is a structured approach to professional dental hygiene that uses the disclosed biofilm to guide treatment. The exact treatment will depend on your individual oral health, but the approach can involve:

• Assessment: Your dental professional assesses your teeth, gums and oral health.
• Disclosing: A disclosing solution helps highlight areas where biofilm has built up.
• AIRFLOW®: AIRFLOW® technology can then be used to help remove biofilm and surface stains.
• Further cleaning where needed: If deposits such as calculus remain, additional instruments may be needed.
• Re-checking: The teeth can be checked to make sure the relevant areas have been addressed.

What is EMS AIRFLOW®?

EMS AIRFLOW® is an air-polishing system used during professional dental hygiene treatment. It combines air, water and powder to help remove biofilm and certain surface deposits from the teeth.

EMS states that its AIRFLOW® PLUS powder is designed for use on a range of dental surfaces and for biofilm removal above and below the gumline, depending on the clinical situation.

Is AIRFLOW® painful?

Some patients find air-polishing comfortable, while others may experience sensitivity, particularly if their teeth or gums are already sensitive.

Research comparing Guided Biofilm Therapy with conventional approaches has found favourable patient perceptions in some studies, including lower reported discomfort and shorter treatment time. However, results can vary between patients and treatment situations.

Does AIRFLOW® whiten your teeth?

No, AIRFLOW® cleaning and teeth whitening are different treatments.

AIRFLOW® can help remove biofilm and surface staining, which may make teeth appear cleaner and brighter. Teeth whitening, on the other hand, uses whitening agents to change the colour of the natural tooth.

So if your teeth look brighter after an AIRFLOW® hygiene appointment, this may be because surface deposits and staining have been removed rather than because the natural colour of your teeth has been bleached.

Guided Biofilm Therapy at Carling Dental

At Carling Dental, Harley Street, our hygiene team uses Guided Biofilm Therapy and EMS AIRFLOW® as part of a personalised approach to professional dental hygiene. If you would like to find out whether this approach is suitable for you, speak to our dental team.