A working method and a device for smoothing gearwheels may be operated cost-effectively and in an environmentally friendly way and enables a simple method sequence and device construction. The device for performing the working method is equipped with at least one smoothing wheel, similar to a gearwheel, that acts radially on a gearwheel to be smoothed and that may be engaged with and disengaged from the wheel to be smoothed. A spray nozzle generates a fine spray mist of lubricant such as oil. The spray mist is sprayable in the form of a minimal quantity of lubrication onto the operating region of the gearwheel to be smoothed and/or onto the smoothing wheel.