Expert Deep Cleaning for Golders Green Patients

A deep cleaning, known clinically as scaling and root planing, is not for everyone. It is a specific medical treatment for periodontitis or gum disease. You should seek a consultation if you notice persistent symptoms that do not respond to regular brushing and flossing. Key signs include gums that bleed when you brush, persistent bad breath or halitosis, red swollen or tender gums, and teeth that look longer due to gum recession. Many patients from Golders Green visit us when they notice these early warning signs. This treatment is recommended when we find deep pockets between your teeth and gums during a dental examination, indicating that bacteria are gathering below the gumline where a regular clean cannot reach.

It is easy to confuse a deep clean with a standard hygiene appointment, but they serve different purposes. A standard scale and polish is a preventive measure. It removes plaque and tartar from above the gumline to keep your gums healthy. A deep clean, however, is a treatment for patients who already have gum disease. The main difference is that a deep cleaning goes below the gumline to remove bacterial deposits from the roots of your teeth. Because this is more intensive, it is usually done with local anaesthetic to ensure your comfort and is often completed over two appointments of 60 to 90 minutes each, focusing on one side of the mouth at a time.

First, you will have a 60 minute consultation where we assess your gum health, measure any periodontal pockets, and confirm if a deep clean is the right treatment. Next, we will schedule your treatment, typically in two 60 to 90 minute sessions. During these sessions, we numb the area with local anaesthetic. Then, using specialised tools, we carefully remove all plaque and tartar from below the gumline or scaling. After that we smooth out the tooth roots or planing. This helps your gums reattach to the teeth and makes it harder for bacteria to colonise in the future. Finally, about 4 to 6 weeks after your final session, you will have a follow up appointment to check how your gums are healing and to establish a long term maintenance plan.

Immediately after your deep cleaning, you can expect some tenderness and sensitivity for a few days, which is normal. Your gums may feel sore, and you might experience sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures. This can be managed with over the counter painkillers like ibuprofen. We recommend sticking to a soft food diet for the first 24 to 48 hours. It is also vital to maintain excellent oral hygiene, although you should be gentle around the treated areas for the first few days. Long term, successful treatment relies on your commitment to brushing, interdental cleaning, and attending regular hygiene appointments every 3 to 6 months. Red flags to watch for: call our practice during office hours (Mon/Wed/Fri 9 5, Tue/Thu 11 7) if you experience severe pain that does not improve after 3 to 4 days, persistent bleeding, or signs of infection like fever or significant swelling. For out of hours emergencies, visit A&E or call 111.

While deep cleaning is highly effective for periodontitis, it helps to know the alternatives. For very mild gum inflammation or gingivitis, a standard professional cleaning combined with improved home care may be enough to reverse the condition. In cases of very advanced periodontitis with significant bone loss, deep cleaning might be the first step, but further treatment such as surgical procedures may be required to fully manage the disease. For example, a patient from Golders Green with severe gum disease might need an initial deep cleaning with us, followed by a referral for more complex surgery if pockets do not resolve. During your consultation, we will discuss which approach is best suited to your clinical needs.

To make an informed choice about your periodontal health, whether you consult with us or another practice in the Golders Green area, here are some essential questions to ask:

As a private dental practice, we provide transparent pricing for all our treatments. The cost for a full course of scaling and root planing or deep cleaning typically starts from £400 to £800 in London, depending on the severity of your condition and the number of sessions required. This fee covers the local anaesthetic, the procedure itself across one or more appointments, and a review of your healing. It does not include the initial consultation or ongoing maintenance hygiene appointments. A patient from the Golders Green area with moderate gum disease and four quadrants requiring treatment would receive a detailed plan with all costs outlined upfront. We accept private dental insurance, including Max Bupa, Denplan, and Cigna, and can help you understand your coverage.