What is the most common technique for removing stains from teeth?

Rubber cup polishing is the most common technique for removing stains from teeth because it effectively smooths the surface of the tooth while removing extrinsic stains, such as those caused by food, beverages, and tobacco. This technique uses a rubber cup attached to a dental handpiece, which is coated with a mildly abrasive polishing paste. As the cup spins, it helps to buff away stains, leaving the teeth cleaner and shinier.

This method is particularly favored for its ability to minimize damage to enamel when done correctly, and it can be performed during a routine dental cleaning visit. The polishing paste used often contains fluoride, which can also contribute to remineralization of the enamel following the removal of stains.

Other techniques, while useful, may not be as commonly employed specifically for stain removal. Hand scaling focuses on removing plaque and calculus rather than surface stains, air polishing is often used for a combination of stain removal and cleaning but can be less precise, and ultrasonic scaling is primarily aimed at dislodging larger deposits of calculus and biofilm rather than directly targeting stains.