Selective Polishing · Indigo CP

1What & why

Polish what needs it — skip what doesn’t.

Selective polishing is the modern standard of care: polish only the surfaces that need it — visible stain or plaque that warrants removal — instead of routinely polishing every tooth at every visit.

The reason is honest science: every polish removes a few microns of the fluoride-rich outer enamel, the most protective layer the tooth has. If a surface has no stain, polishing it costs something and gains nothing.

2The do-NOT-polish list

When the answer is don’t.

The situationWhy you hold off

❌No visible stain or plaque

→

Nothing to removethe definition of selective polishing

🦷Demineralized / white-spot areasChalky-white early-caries spots where minerals have leached out.

→

Enamel is fragile thereabrasion strips weakened enamel and worsens the lesion

👶Newly erupted teeth

→

Enamel still maturingsurface is not fully mineralized — easily damaged

tooth showing exposed root surface below the gumline

Exposed cementum / dentinRoot surface uncovered by recession.

→

Far softer than enamelabrades quickly and triggers sensitivity

⚠️Severe sensitivity, acute gingival inflammation

→

Comfort and healing firstpolishing inflames what’s already inflamed

Certain esthetic restorations

→

Abrasive scratches themor use a restoration-safe fine agent only

A stained tooth marked polish this, above a row of five teeth each marked do not polish. — **No stain? No cup.** Polish only the surfaces that warrant it — every polish spends a little of the fluoride-rich outer enamel. Not pictured, because they don't show in a photograph: **severe sensitivity** and **acute gingival inflammation** are also reasons to hold off.

3Make it stick

No stain? No cup.

Selective polishing flips the old habit on its head: the burden of proof is on polishing, not on skipping. Stain you can see = indication. Everything on the do-not list = contraindication. When in doubt — the dentist decides.

4Beat the exam

"Selective polishing means…"→polishing only surfaces with stain/plaque that warrant it

"Why not polish routinely?"→polishing removes the fluoride-rich outer enamel

"Newly erupted tooth with no stain?"→do not polish — enamel still maturing, nothing to remove

"White chalky spot on the cervical third?"→demineralization — do not polish it

"Exposed root surface?"→cementum/dentin abrade fast — avoid or use utmost care

"Why does an abraded root surface hurt?"→abrasion opens the dentinal tubules — fluid movement in the tubules is what the patient feels

"Sharp sensitivity to cold on an abraded area?"→dentinal hypersensitivity — leave that surface alone and tell the dentist

5Check yourself

The philosophy of selective polishing states that teeth should be polished:

Only when there’s something to remove. Routine polishing spends fluoride-rich enamel for no benefit — the modern standard is stain-driven, surface-by-surface.

5Check yourself

Which is a contraindication to coronal polishing?

Demineralized white-spot areas. That enamel has already lost mineral — abrasion makes the lesion worse. Stain, plaque, and sealant prep are all indications.

Recap

The whole thing in 4 lines.

✓Selective polishing: polish only surfaces with stain/plaque that warrant it.
✓Rationale: every polish removes fluoride-rich outer enamel.
✓Do-not list: no stain, white spots, new eruptions, exposed roots, acute inflammation, delicate restorations.
✓When in doubt, the dentist decides.