What is stain removal?

Professional removal of the surface stains that build up from tea, coffee, red wine, smoking and some mouthwashes. At City Dental Care both hygiene options remove surface stains. A standard hygiene appointment (a scale and polish) does it with a paste polish. Guided Biofilm Therapy (GBT) uses EMS AIRFLOW - warm water and a fine erythritol powder - which is more effective on heavy staining. GBT also uses a disclosing dye to show up the biofilm (plaque), so the biofilm is removed more effectively.

Is stain removal the same as whitening?

No. Stain removal takes off what's sitting on the surface of the teeth, bringing them back to their natural shade. Whitening changes the natural shade itself. Many people find stain removal alone gives the brighter look they wanted; if not, whitening is the next step - and it works better on clean teeth.

Not usually. AIRFLOW, used in GBT, is warm water rather than scraping, and in trials people have often found GBT more comfortable than conventional scaling, though not in every trial. Tell your dental therapist if you have sensitive teeth and the appointment is paced around you.

How long does it take, and how often?

Stain removal is part of a hygiene appointment or GBT rather than a separate procedure. How often you need it depends on your habits - heavy tea, coffee or smoking brings stains back sooner - and your dental therapist sets your interval.

Can it remove all stains?

Surface stains, yes. Discolouration from inside the tooth - after a root canal, from some medicines, or from wear - doesn't lift with cleaning and needs whitening or, in some cases, bonding or a veneer. The assessment tells us which kind of staining you have.

How much does it cost?

Stain removal is included in a hygiene appointment (£65) or GBT (£110). It isn't priced as a separate treatment.

Is there parking at the practice?

Yes - the Princes Exchange Car Park is in our own building, accessed from Riego Street at the rear (9/2 Riego Street, EH3 9BL). Parking is payable: £3 for 1 hour, or £5 for up to 3 hours. The car park opens at 9.30am, so if you are driving to an earlier appointment we suggest street parking nearby. Blue Badge holders can park free on Fountainbridge, and we are a short walk from Haymarket Station.

Treatment room at City Dental Care, Edinburgh

Teeth Stain Removal in Edinburgh

Tea, coffee, red wine and smoking leave stains on the surface of teeth that brushing can't shift. Professional stain removal takes them off — bringing teeth back to their natural shade without changing it. At City Dental Care on Earl Grey Street, a standard hygiene appointment removes surface stains with a paste polish. The full GBT protocol removes them with EMS AIRFLOW: warm water and a fine erythritol powder, without abrasive paste. AIRFLOW works better on heavy staining. GBT also uses a disclosing dye to show up the biofilm (plaque), so the biofilm is removed more effectively.

Transparent pricing

Included in a hygiene appointment £65or GBT Guided Biofilm Therapy £110

Not a separate charge. Practice Plans include hygiene visits in the monthly fee.

Book a Hygiene Visit Want them whiter than natural? See whitening

Stain Removal vs Whitening

Stain removal:

Takes off what's on the surface - tannins from tea and coffee, wine, tobacco, some mouthwashes. Teeth return to their own natural shade. Done at a hygiene appointment; no gel, no trays.

Whitening:

Changes the natural shade of the tooth itself using dentist-prescribed gel in custom trays. It works better on clean teeth - which is why stain removal usually comes first.

Which do you need?

If your teeth look dull or yellowed from habits, start with stain removal - many people find it's enough. If the natural shade itself is the issue, whitening is the next step and your dental therapist will say so honestly.

What AIRFLOW Adds in GBT

It reaches where a rubber cup can't — between teeth, along the gumline and around braces, aligner attachments and implants.
It's minimally abrasive — erythritol powder rather than gritty paste, so it's safe on enamel, white fillings, crowns and veneers.
It's more effective on heavy staining — from tea, coffee, red wine or smoking.
It can be more comfortable — warm water, no scraping for the stain itself; in trials people have often found GBT more comfortable than conventional scaling, though not in every trial.
It removes biofilm more effectively — in GBT a disclosing dye shows up the biofilm (plaque) first, so AIRFLOW can target it. A polish removes biofilm too, just less effectively.

Why Have It Done at City Dental Care?

EMS AIRFLOW for GBT:

We run the full EMS system for Guided Biofilm Therapy and are listed on the official GBT clinic finder.

No separate charge:

Stain removal is part of the £65 hygiene appointment or £110 GBT - and hygiene visits are included in the Practice Plans: standard visits in Plans A and B, GBT in Plans C and D.

Evenings until 8pm:

Monday to Thursday (until 5pm on Friday), in the city centre a short walk from Haymarket Station.

Book a Hygiene Visit