Experienced Gum Disease Treatment in North London

If you notice persistent warning signs, you should seek professional advice about your gum health. The most common sign is blood on your toothbrush or in the sink after brushing, which signals gingivitis, the earliest stage of gum disease. You should also book an assessment if your gums look red, are swollen, or feel tender. Other signs include ongoing bad breath that does not improve with brushing or a bad taste in your mouth. As the condition progresses to periodontitis, you might see your gums receding or your teeth feeling loose. The Oral Health Foundation notes that gum disease affects many adults in the UK, and early intervention can prevent progression to severe periodontitis and tooth loss.

Your first appointment lasts about 45 to 60 minutes and involves a thorough assessment. We start by reviewing your medical history and any symptoms you’ve noticed. Then the dentist conducts a detailed clinical examination to look for inflammation, plaque, and tartar. A key part of this is periodontal charting, using a small probe to measure the depth of the pockets between teeth and gums. Healthy pockets measure 1 to 3 millimetres; depths of 4 millimetres or more can indicate active gum disease. We may also use digital imaging to evaluate bone level around your teeth, since bone loss signals advanced periodontitis. Finally, we explain our findings, provide a clear diagnosis, and outline a personalised treatment plan to restore your gum health.

For most gingivitis cases and early to moderate periodontitis, the main treatment is non surgical deep cleaning, known as scaling and root planing. This procedure typically unfolds over two or more appointments of about 60 minutes each, often with local anaesthetic for comfort. The aim is to remove all plaque and hardened tartar from above and below the gumline. Planing smooths the tooth roots to help the gums reattach. This process eliminates the bacteria causing the infection and creates a clean surface for healing. A patient from Muswell Hill with 5 millimetre pockets saw the depth reduce to 3 millimetres within three months of this treatment, alongside improved home care.

Gum disease is a chronic condition that requires ongoing management. After the initial treatment, we recommend a maintenance schedule with hygiene appointments every 3 to 4 months. These visits let us monitor your gum health, measure pocket depths, and perform professional cleanings to prevent reinfection. A patient from Hendon with a history of periodontitis has kept stable gum health for over five years through this regular maintenance. This proactive approach helps prevent recurrence and protects your teeth over the long term.

Right after a deep cleaning you may feel mild tenderness and sensitivity for a few days. This is usually manageable with standard pain relief. Your gums might be sore, and you could notice slight bleeding for the first 24 hours. Try a soft food diet for a day or two and avoid very hot or cold drinks. Continue brushing and flossing, but be gentle around the treated areas for the first week. In the long term, maintain an excellent at home oral hygiene routine. If you have increasing pain after three days, significant swelling, or a fever, call our practice during office hours for advice. For out of hours emergencies, go to A&E or call 111.

To ensure you get the right care, whether you visit us or another practice in North London, here are important questions to ask. What is your experience treating cases like mine? What are the goals of the proposed treatment plan? Will the treatment be performed by a dentist or a dental hygienist? What are the full costs for the initial treatment and ongoing maintenance? How will we measure success over time? What home care routine do you recommend to support the treatment? When would you consider a referral to a GDC registered specialist periodontist?

We are transparent about pricing. An initial gum health consultation and assessment is charged separately. The cost for non surgical gum treatment depends on severity and the number of sessions, typically 400 to 800 pounds for a full course. This fee includes the procedure, any necessary local anaesthetic, and initial aftercare advice. Ongoing maintenance hygiene appointments are priced per session. We are a private practice and do not offer NHS treatment, but we accept private dental insurance plans from providers including Max Bupa, Denplan, and Cigna. We provide a detailed cost breakdown before treatment begins.