Expert Gum Infection Treatment for Finchley Residents

Book an assessment if you notice signs of gum disease. Early action helps prevent worse problems. Warning signs include gums that bleed during brushing or flossing, swelling, redness, or tenderness, and persistent bad breath despite brushing. You may notice gums receding, making teeth look longer, or teeth feeling loose. Some Finchley patients come to us with a bad taste or pus between teeth and gums, which points to a more advanced infection needing immediate professional care.

Your treatment begins with a 60-minute comprehensive assessment. We examine your gums, measure the pockets between teeth and gums, and take digital X-rays to check bone levels. Based on this, we create your personalised plan. For early gingivitis, a professional cleaning and guidance on oral hygiene might be enough. For more advanced periodontitis, the next step is a deep cleaning called scaling and root planing, usually 60-90 minutes per session, often under local anaesthetic. This removes plaque and tartar from below the gumline and may require two to four visits. A follow-up appointment is set 6-8 weeks later to monitor healing and establish a long-term maintenance plan.

After a deep cleaning you may feel mild tenderness and sensitivity for 2-4 days. This is normal and can be managed with over-the-counter pain relief. Your teeth might feel a bit different as inflammation subsides. We advise a soft food diet for the first 24-48 hours and avoiding very hot or cold drinks. The key to long term success is strong home care and regular hygiene appointments every 3-6 months. If you experience severe, increasing pain after day 3, significant swelling, or signs of infection like fever, contact us during office hours. For emergencies outside these hours, call 111.

For active gum infection there are no effective home remedies that replace professional care. Improved home care is essential for preventing and managing early gingivitis but it cannot remove tartar below the gumline. Antiseptic mouthwashes can offer temporary relief but do not address the root cause. In very advanced cases where deep cleaning is not enough, a surgical option may be considered. If a tooth cannot be saved, extraction followed by a replacement such as a dental implant or bridge may be discussed. Saving natural teeth remains a priority, and all suitable options are reviewed with you.

The cost of gum infection treatment depends on disease severity and the number of appointments. An initial consultation and assessment are quoted upfront. Treatment for early gingivitis is less than comprehensive scaling and root planing for periodontitis, which may involve multiple sessions. We provide a clear, detailed treatment plan with all costs before we begin—no hidden fees. As a private practice, NHS treatment is not offered, but we accept dental insurance from providers including Denplan, Cigna, and Max Bupa. Please let us know if you have coverage you want to use.

To make an informed choice about your care, whether with us or another practice in North London, here are important questions to ask: What stage is my gum disease at (gingivitis or periodontitis)? What specific treatment do you recommend and why? How many appointments will the treatment take and what is the full cost? What are the success rates for this treatment? What home care routine should I follow to prevent a relapse? How often will I need hygiene visits in the future? Do you have experience treating cases like mine?