Effective Gum Disease Treatment for West Finchley Residents

You should book an assessment if you notice signs of gum disease in its early stage, known as gingivitis. These include gums that bleed when you brush or floss, feel tender, or look red and swollen. Persistent bad breath or a bad taste in your mouth is another indicator. For many people in West Finchley, the first sign is simply pink on the toothbrush. As the condition progresses to periodontitis you may notice receding gums that make teeth look longer or teeth that feel loose. Early intervention prevents further problems, which is why we recommend a check up if these symptoms appear. A patient from a nearby area came to us with bleeding gums thinking it was normal. After two hygiene sessions the bleeding stopped completely.

Your treatment starts with a thorough 60 minute consultation. We will assess your gum health, measure pockets between teeth and gums, and may take digital X-rays to check the bone underneath. From this we create your personalised plan. The main part of the treatment is a professional cleaning. For early gingivitis this may involve one or two 45 minute hygiene appointments for a scale and polish. For more advanced periodontitis we perform a deep clean called root surface debridement over several 60 minute sessions. Local anaesthetic is used so you are comfortable. Next, we schedule a review appointment 4 to 6 weeks later to check how your gums are healing. Finally we establish a long term maintenance plan with regular hygiene visits every 3 to 6 months to prevent recurrence.

After a deep cleaning you may feel some tenderness and sensitivity for the first 2 to 3 days. Your gums may feel a little sore, but this signals healing and is managed with standard pain relief such as paracetamol or ibuprofen. A soft diet is advised for the first 24 hours. The key to success is solid home care. We give you specific instructions on brushing and using interdental brushes or floss effectively. A recent patient with moderate periodontitis required four deep cleaning sessions and now has a stable condition thanks to careful home care and 3 monthly maintenance visits. Red flags call during office hours (Mon-Wed-Fri 9-5, Tue-Thu 11-7): - Severe, increasing pain after day 3 - Swelling that doesn’t improve - A fever or feeling generally unwell

For most cases non surgical deep cleaning is the most effective and least invasive option. If periodontitis is very advanced other options may be discussed. Referral for surgical treatment is considered when deep pockets do not respond to initial therapy. This procedure gives better access to clean root surfaces. It is more invasive and costly but sometimes needed to save teeth. If a tooth has lost too much bone support and cannot be saved, extraction may be the best course. We always aim to keep natural teeth, but removal may be necessary for overall health. After extraction we can discuss replacement options like dental implants or bridges to restore function.

To choose the right path for you, ask any dentist offering gum care these questions at our practice or another in North London: Based on my assessment, do I have gingivitis or periodontitis? How many deep cleaning appointments will I need? What are the success rates for this treatment in stabilising gum disease? What home care routine and products do you recommend for me? How often will I need to return for maintenance after the initial treatment? What are the total costs for the full course of treatment and follow up care? Do you accept private dental insurance plans like Denplan or Cigna?

We offer clear pricing with no hidden fees. The cost depends on how severe the disease is. An initial hygiene appointment for a scale and polish starts from £95. For deep cleaning (root surface debridement) the cost is typically £150 to £250 per session, with most patients needing 2 to 4 sessions. At your consultation we provide a fully itemised plan so you understand all costs before proceeding. We are a private practice and accept insurance from major providers including Max Bupa, Denplan, and Cigna. Please tell our team if you have a policy you would like to use.