A snow-white smile emphasizes the external attractiveness of its owner. But professional teeth whitening not only not everyone can afford, but also has a number of contraindications, negative health effects. An alternative is to clean Air-Flow. Today, such a procedure is offered by both private clinics and state medical institutions. What this manipulation is, how effective and safe it is, we will describe in this material.
What is Air-Flow brushing ?
Despite the innovative name, the procedure itself is quite simple, not requiring special professional equipment and materials. In fact, Air-Flow brushing is a method for removing plaque using a high-pressure jet of air and water and soda. Sometimes calcium crystals are used as an abrasive substance. Such a filler solution gently cleanses the enamel, but is more expensive, so it is rarely used. A special Air-Flow device sprays the specified mixture onto the dentition, destroying deposits even in places inaccessible to other methods of cleaning (between the teeth, on the gums). In addition, gentle enamel polishing takes place, “soft” bleaching for 1-2 tones due to the elimination of plaque and deposits.
In dentistry, this method is not referred to as chemical methods of cleaning teeth (since chemical components are not used), nor mechanical (since during the procedure there is no direct contact with the equipment). Cleaning Air-Flow is an adjunct to oral care.
The procedure is completed by grinding the dentition with special pastes using a soft rotating brush. Thus, the remnants of dental plaque, plaque are removed. Some clinics offer patients to coat tooth enamel with dental varnish to fix the result of professional cleaning.
The duration of the procedure is from 15 to 40 minutes (depending on the initial condition of the dentition).
Is Air-Flow tooth brushing painful?
The procedure is absolutely painless. Although some discomfort during cleaning is still noted. Despite the use of special suction, the patient swallows a certain amount of liquid sprayed by the device. Although the solution aromatizes with a lemon flavor, it is still unsuitable for internal use. In addition, soda irritates the mucous membrane of the oral cavity - some patients have a burning sensation in the mouth directly during the cleaning process, and after the procedure, dryness and soda coating in the mouth and lips are observed. If swallowed, the solution can provoke heartburn, indigestion.
Indications for the procedure
Professional cleaning of Air-Flow is carried out as an independent procedure for the care of the dentition, namely it is used to prevent the formation of tartar and persistent plaque, and as preparatory work before dental implantation, prosthetics or whitening.
Experts recommend conducting such a hygienic procedure twice a year, especially for people who consume tooth enamel coloring products (coffee, strong tea, juices), as well as smokers.
Indications for the procedure are as follows:
- The appearance of plaque and minor dental deposits (prevention of diseases such as caries and periodontal disease is necessary).
- Tooth pigmentation.
- The problem of crowding of the teeth (too close to each other). With such a problem, other methods of cleaning the interdental space will be ineffective.
- Scheduled removal of bracket systems.
- Upcoming chemical whitening, dental implantation or prosthetics.
Benefits
Professional toothbrushing Air-Flow has several advantages compared to other types of hygiene procedures, including ultrasonic processing of enamel:
- painlessness of the procedure;
- lack of mechanical contact with the device, which often leads to tooth damage (therefore, Air-Flow is recommended for patients with dental implants);
- the ability to handle hard-to-reach areas;
- effectiveness (the result is noticeable after the first procedure);
- non-toxicity of the solution;
- enamel fluoride enrichment.
Contraindications
Despite the safety of such brushing, there are contraindications to its implementation. Do not carry out the Air-Flow procedure under conditions such as:
- Periodontal disease (cleaning can provoke bleeding of the gums, their inflammation, swelling).
- The presence of a large volume of dental deposits (Air-Flow cleaning will not cope with multiple deep deposits). The photo before the procedure, presented below, demonstrates at what initial condition of the dentition the procedure will be effective.
- Bronchitis and bronchial asthma, other diseases of the respiratory system are a direct contraindication to brushing your teeth in this way.
- People who are prescribed a salt-free diet, also can not carry out such a hygienic procedure.
- For patients who are allergic to citrus fruits, Air-Flow is not recommended.
- With caution, the procedure is performed for pregnant and lactating women.
Cleaning result
The result of hygienic cleaning of the dentition using the Air-Flow method is noticeable immediately after the procedure:
- calculus deposits and plaque are eliminated;
- teeth become lighter due to the removal of dirt;
- the dentition gains brilliance as a result of grinding.
In the photo below, you can see how effective Air Flow cleaning is. Before and after the procedure, the teeth look completely different.
Recommendations
In order to maintain the effect of cleaning Air-Flow, experts advise to adhere to the following recommendations:
- Within 3 hours after the procedure, you can not eat food that can stain the enamel (beets, juices, coffee, etc.).
- It is also necessary to refrain from smoking for several hours.
- If further chemical tooth whitening is planned, then this procedure can be performed no earlier than 2 weeks after Air-Flow.
Cost
The price of one procedure for professional cleaning of the Air-Flow dentition is an average of 1,500-2,000 rubles. But often clinics provide various promotions for such a hygienic service: pre-holiday price reduction or cleaning as an incentive bonus, provided that other dental procedures, such as filling, are performed.
Air-Flow (cleaning): patient reviews
Despite the simplicity of the procedure for brushing your teeth using the Air-Flow method, there are mixed reviews about such dental manipulations. Most often, negative opinions arise as a result of insufficient patient awareness of the nature of such a procedure. Namely: people expect instant noticeable whitening of enamel. In fact, as we found out above, Air-Flow only removes plaque, dirt, stones, restoring the patient's natural original color of teeth.
Therefore, reviews are often found in which patients note the ineffectiveness of such cleaning. Also, visitors to the dental office indicate unpleasant sensations during the brushing process, burning in the oral cavity. According to patients, tooth sensitivity increases, gum bleeding appears after Air-Flow (brushing) has been performed.
Positive reviews indicate that such a procedure is an effective way to prevent diseases of the dentition. In addition, there is a noticeable cleansing of enamel, the elimination of stones.
Cleaning Air-Flow is an effective hygienic procedure that promotes dental care. This additional enamel cleansing significantly reduces the risk of developing dental diseases and has an aesthetic effect.