Effective Gum Disease Treatment for North Finchley Patients

Book an assessment if you notice warning signs. Bleeding gums during brushing or flossing is the main sign and should not be ignored. Other indicators include red, swollen, or tender gums. You might also have persistent bad breath (halitosis) that does not improve with brushing, or an unpleasant taste. In advanced stages, gums may recede making teeth look longer, or teeth may loosen. Many North Finchley patients come to us at this stage, allowing early and more effective intervention.

Your visit starts with a 45-minute assessment to measure the pockets between teeth and gums and to take digital X-rays to check the underlying bone. For early gingivitis, a thorough cleaning to remove plaque and tartar is often enough. For established periodontitis, the next step is a deep cleaning called root surface debridement, usually completed over two to four 60-minute appointments under local anaesthetic. This removes bacteria below the gum line. About 6 to 8 weeks later, you’ll have a follow-up to review healing and decide if further treatment is needed. Finally, we set up a long-term maintenance plan with regular hygiene visits to keep the disease under control.

After a deep cleaning, expect tenderness for the first 2 to 3 days. Your gums may feel sore, which you can manage with over-the-counter painkillers such as ibuprofen. Avoid very hot, cold, or hard foods during this initial period. Home care is key to recovery; keep brushing well and use interdental brushes or floss daily as instructed. Long-term maintenance involves regular hygiene visits, typically every 3 to 6 months, to prevent relapse. Red flags: call during office hours (Mon Wed Fri 9-5, Tue Thu 11-7): increasing pain after 3 days, significant swelling, or a fever. For emergencies outside these hours, please call 111 or visit your nearest A&E.

For most cases, non-surgical deep cleaning is the strongest first option. Other paths exist. The main alternative is no treatment, which leads to disease progression, bone loss, and tooth loss. If deep cleaning does not resolve the issue in very advanced cases, we refer you to a specialist periodontist for surgical options, such as flap surgery to clean the root surfaces directly or bone grafts to restore lost bone. During your consultation, we explain why non-surgical treatment is the best starting point.

To choose what’s right for you, ask direct questions whether you meet with us or another practice in the North Finchley area. Ask what stage of gum disease you have and what the long-term prognosis is. Ask for a clear breakdown of the treatment plan, including how many visits it will take and the total cost. It is wise to ask what home care routine is recommended for you and how often you should return for maintenance to keep gums healthy long term.

Cost depends on severity. An initial hygiene appointment for early gingivitis may start from about £95. For advanced periodontitis requiring a deep cleaning, costs range from £400 to £1,200 depending on the number of sessions. This fee covers the procedure, local anaesthetic, and detailed oral hygiene instruction. Your personalised plan will have a clear fixed cost with no hidden fees. We are a private practice and do not offer NHS services, but we accept major insurance plans from Max Bupa, Denplan, and Cigna. A North Finchley patient with moderate periodontitis completed a full course of non-surgical treatment over three sessions for a total of £750.