Receding Gums Treatment for Muswell Hill Patients

Book an assessment if you notice gum recession signs. Early action helps prevent progression. Many patients from Muswell Hill come to us when tooth sensitivity to hot or cold begins, since the exposed root no longer has gum protection. A visible notch at the tooth gum line or teeth that look longer than before are clear signs. You might also notice space changes between teeth. Don’t wait for symptoms to worsen. A prompt consultation can stop progression and avoid more complex treatments later. The Oral Health Foundation notes that gum disease, a leading cause of recession, affects many UK adults to some degree, so proactive care matters.

First, you’ll have a 45 minute consultation at our Finchley practice. We assess your gums, measure pockets, and use digital imaging to gauge recession and bone loss. We review brushing habits and medical history to identify the cause. Often the initial treatment is a deep cleaning called scaling and root planing, about 60 to 90 minutes under local anaesthetic. This removes plaque and tartar below the gum line to help gums heal. A Muswell Hill patient with recession from aggressive brushing needed only this cleaning and advice on technique. For more advanced cases we may discuss surgical options like a gum graft, using tissue from the roof of the mouth to cover exposed root. Follow-up visits occur every 3 to 6 months to check gum health and ensure stability.

After a deep cleaning you may have mild tenderness and sensitivity for a few days, manageable with standard pain relief. Use a soft toothbrush and avoid very hot or cold foods for the first 48 hours. If you have a gum graft, recovery is more involved. Eat soft foods for about a week and follow specific cleaning instructions to protect the graft. Long-term care is essential for managing recession. This includes careful home care, interdental brushes, and regular hygiene visits every 3 to 6 months. A patient with early gum disease needed three initial hygiene visits over three months to stabilise before moving to a six monthly maintenance schedule. Red flags: call the practice during office hours (Mon, Wed, Fri 9 to 5; Tue, Thu 11 to 7) if you have severe or worsening pain, significant swelling, or signs of infection like pus after the procedure. For after hours emergencies, go to A and E or call 111.

While active treatment is usually advised, it is useful to know alternatives. For very mild recession without gum disease, monitoring may be best. This means adjusting your brushing technique to prevent further wear and attending regular check-ups. Another option is dental bonding, where a tooth coloured resin is applied to the exposed root. This can reduce sensitivity and improve appearance but does not treat the underlying cause. It is a cosmetic fix rather than a long term health solution. If recession is due to misaligned teeth, orthodontic treatment like Invisalign may be suggested to align the teeth and improve gum health over time. We will discuss the pros and cons of each option based on your specific clinical situation.

The cost varies with cause and severity. An initial consultation and diagnosis is the first step. Treatment for early gum disease, such as scaling and root planing, has a different cost than a surgical gum graft. We provide a full, clear breakdown after your initial assessment, with no hidden fees. As a private practice we do not offer NHS treatment. We accept several private insurance plans including Denplan, Cigna, and Max Bupa. Many policies cover care deemed clinically necessary for gum health, so check your plan. We can help with the paperwork for your claim.

To choose wisely, whether with us or another North London practice, ask these questions during your consultation: What is the underlying cause of my gum recession? What happens if I skip treatment now? Is a gum graft necessary or are there less invasive options? What is the long term success rate for the proposed treatment? How will brushing and flossing change after treatment? What are the full costs, including follow up and maintenance? What specific experience do you have with cases like mine?