If you drink tea or coffee every day, you may have noticed your teeth looking duller than they used to. We can look at the staining with you and work out where that dullness is actually coming from. Start by finding out whether you are looking at surface stains, tartar or your natural tooth colour, because each one is handled differently. Airflow clears surface stains, scaling takes off hardened deposits, and whitening aims to lighten the natural colour of the tooth itself.
One person can have several of these at the same time, so you do not have to pick a single service or book all three. Tell us what you want out of the visit — the stains gone, or brighter teeth as well — and we can plan around that.
Tell stains, tartar and natural colour apart first
Tea and coffee stains are pigment sitting on the outer surface of the tooth. Tartar is plaque that has built up and hardened. You can have both at once, which is why the yellow or brown you see in the mirror does not tell you which service you need.
| Treatment | What it is for | Limits, and what to do next |
|---|---|---|
| Airflow | Removes surface stains and plaque with air, water and a dedicated cleaning powder | It is not whitening, and it does not replace scaling when hard tartar has to come off. Have the staining checked first, then plan cleaning and scaling from what that check shows |
| Scaling | Removes tartar on the teeth and under the gum line, based on what the check shows | It does not change your natural tooth colour. If you have gum disease you may need further treatment, so deal with that before you decide about colour |
| Whitening | Lightens your natural tooth colour once your teeth and gums are ready | It does not remove tartar, it does not lighten crowns, veneers or fillings, and it does not work equally well for every cause of discolouration. Talk it through with us once your teeth and gums are ready, and ask what any existing restorations will look like afterwards |
If coffee stains are your only concern, start with a check and talk about cleaning first. Once the stains are off, you may be happy with the colour you already have. If you still want your teeth lighter after that, this is the point to talk about whitening. Tell us if you have fillings, crowns or veneers on your front teeth, because their colour may not match your natural teeth afterwards.
Airflow and GBT are not simply two names for the same thing. GBT, or Guided Biofilm Therapy, is a multi-step approach to managing plaque that includes checking for and removing any tartar still present. Airflow is one of the cleaning methods used within it. A service name on its own still does not tell you which option suits you or what is included.
What we check, and what to tell us before you start
Your dentist will look at the staining, the condition of your teeth and gums, and what is behind the colour change. If you already have decay, inflamed gums or sensitivity, we need to look at that and deal with it before you decide about whitening. Sensitivity can come from decay, a cracked tooth or an exposed root, so it does not always mean you have a lot of build-up.
Have these five ready to tell us before your check-up:
- Your goal: remove the stains, or make your teeth brighter as well
- Symptoms: tooth sensitivity, toothache, swollen or bleeding gums
- Existing dental work: fillings, crowns, veneers or implants
- Your health: medical conditions, medicines, pregnancy or breastfeeding
- Breathing and allergies: asthma, bronchitis or allergies to products
When treatment may need to wait
Two things need checking before Airflow: asthma or acute bronchitis that is not under control, and an upper respiratory illness or infection on the day of your appointment. If either applies, do not start Airflow before your dentist has checked for contraindications. You may need to postpone or use a different method, and the requirements of the actual machine and powder being used have to be checked. Whitening is not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
If your gums bleed or swell when you brush, book an oral health check. If your gums are very swollen and painful, or a tooth is starting to feel loose, ask for an urgent appointment. Do not simply wait for a cosmetic stain-removal appointment.
Working out the budget and booking
If you are not sure what is causing the problem, book a check and tell our team what you are seeing. You can keep it simple: “I have tea and coffee stains, and I want to find out whether I need polishing, scaling or whitening.” Add your symptoms and your goal. You do not have to settle on a package before you have been seen.
Our approximate treatment rates, checked on 8 October 2026:
| Treatment | Approximate rate (THB) |
|---|---|
| Airflow stain removal | 1,000–1,500 |
| Scaling and polishing | 1,000–1,600 |
| Scaling with Airflow GBT | 3,000 |
| Cool Light whitening | 5,000 |
| Philips Zoom whitening | 12,000 |
These figures are not a personal quote. Before you book, ask what each one includes, whether there is a separate examination fee or other treatment costs, and what has to happen in what order. Confirm the plan, what is included and the cost with us before treatment starts. Do not add every service together yourself, and do not choose on the lowest price alone.
Common questions before you book
Do I have to go straight on to whitening after Airflow?
No — whitening is not a required step after Airflow, and if you are happy with the colour once the stains are off you may not need it. If you do want your teeth lighter, go through what to expect with your dentist first. Whitening cannot fix every type of discolouration, and the result is not permanent.
My teeth are sensitive. Can I still have this done?
Tell us about the sensitivity before you choose a method. How it feels during treatment depends on the state of your mouth and on the method used, so nobody can promise you it will be painless. Whitening can cause temporary sensitivity or gum irritation. If that is bothering you, contact your dentist so the plan can be adjusted.
I drink coffee every day. Do I need Airflow more often?
Not on the strength of your coffee habit alone. Let us look at the staining and your overall oral health and set the interval from there. Stains can build up again, so keep brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and clean between your teeth every day. For coffee after a visit, ask for advice specific to the treatment you had, especially if whitening was part of it.
At your visit we look at the stains, check your teeth and gums, and talk through whether cleaning, scaling or whitening fits your goal. Message us on LINE @evercaredental to book at Evercare Dental on Wireless Road, and ask about the cost at the same time.
Related articles
References
- American Dental Association — Teeth Whitening
- American Dental Association — Scaling and Root Planing
- American Dental Association — Sensitive Teeth
- NHS — Teeth whitening
- NHS — Gum disease
- EMS — Treatment Recommendations, FA-877/EN rev. A
- Evercare Dental — Services and treatment rates, checked 8 October 2026
- Evercare Dental — Contact and appointments
- Master of Science in Prosthodontics, Chulalongkorn University
- Doctor of Dental Surgery (Second-Class Honours), Chulalongkorn University
(This article is general information. It is not a substitute for an examination and personal advice from your dentist.)
