Gum Disease Treatment in East Finchley

Book an assessment if you notice any gum disease symptoms, even if they seem mild. The early stage, gingivitis, is reversible with professional cleaning and improved home care. If untreated, it can progress to periodontitis, which damages the bone supporting the teeth. Key symptoms to watch for: gums that bleed when you brush or floss, red, swollen, or tender gums, persistent bad breath (halitosis), gums that pull away from the teeth (receding gums), and loose or shifting teeth. Many patients from East Finchley visit us at the first sign of bleeding, which offers the best chance to intervene. A recent patient, a 45-year-old from Muswell Hill, was worried about recession. We implemented a deep cleaning plan that stabilized the condition and taught him effective cleaning techniques to slow progression.

Your treatment depends on how severe the condition is. First, you have a 60-minute initial consultation with a detailed exam. We measure the pockets between teeth and gums to check for bone loss. For early gingivitis, treatment typically involves one or two 45-minute hygiene appointments for a professional scale and polish to remove plaque and tartar. We also provide clear home care guidance. For advanced periodontitis, a deeper cleaning called root surface debridement is needed. This is done under local anaesthetic for comfort and requires 2 to 4 appointments, each about 60 minutes, to clean the root surfaces below the gum line. A follow-up review occurs 6 to 8 weeks later to assess healing and set the long-term maintenance plan.

After a standard scale and polish you may have little discomfort. After deeper cleaning you will experience some gum tenderness and tooth sensitivity for a few days. This is temporary and manageable with standard painkillers such as ibuprofen. Avoid very hot, cold, or hard foods for the first 48 hours. Your commitment to aftercare drives long-term success. This includes brushing twice daily, using interdental brushes or floss, and attending regular maintenance hygiene visits every 3 to 6 months as advised. Without consistent care gum disease tends to return. Red flags requiring immediate contact: call our practice if you have severe increasing pain after day 3, persistent bleeding, or significant swelling during office hours Mon, Wed, Fri 9-5 and Tue, Thu 11-7. For out-of-hours emergencies visit A&E or call 111.

When managing gum disease the main choice is between different levels of intervention. Non-Surgical Treatment: This is the first line of defence and what we provide at our practice. It includes professional cleaning and root surface debridement to control the bacterial infection. It is highly effective for most cases of gingivitis and early to moderate periodontitis. Surgical Treatment: For advanced periodontitis with deep pockets or significant bone loss, surgical intervention by a specialist periodontist may be required. This is something we would refer you for after initial non-surgical therapy has been completed. The goal of surgery is to gain better access to clean the roots and reshape the bone. No Treatment: Ignoring gum disease is not a viable option. It will lead to continued bone loss, loose teeth, and eventual tooth loss. The cost and complexity of replacing teeth with implants or bridges are far greater than managing gum disease early.

The cost of gum disease treatment depends entirely on the severity and the number of appointments required. A simple scale and polish for gingivitis will have a set fee, while a full course of non-surgical deep cleaning for periodontitis will be more. After your initial assessment, we provide a detailed, transparent treatment plan with all costs clearly itemised so there are no surprises. As a private practice, we do not offer NHS treatment. However, we accept several major private dental insurance plans, including Max Bupa, Denplan, and Cigna. Please bring your insurance details to your consultation so we can help you understand your coverage.

If you want to make an informed choice about your care in East Finchley, ask these key questions: what stage is my gum disease at (gingivitis or periodontitis), how many appointments will the initial treatment course involve, will the cleaning be done under local anaesthetic, what home care products do you recommend for me, how often will I need to return for maintenance appointments after this initial treatment, what is the total cost for the recommended treatment plan, and are there lifestyle factors such as smoking affecting my gums.