Advanced Gum Disease Treatment for Golders Green Patients

Gum disease, or periodontitis, often develops without symptoms. Seek a full periodontal assessment if you notice gums that bleed during brushing or flossing, persistent bad breath, or red, swollen, or tender gums. As the condition worsens you may see gums recede, teeth look longer, or teeth feel loose. These signs show the infection is affecting the bone that supports your teeth. Many Golders Green patients come to us at the first sign of bleeding, so we can intervene early. Timely treatment helps prevent irreversible damage and tooth loss. The Oral Health Foundation notes that gum disease is a leading cause of tooth loss in adults.

Your treatment starts with a 60-minute consultation. We perform a detailed exam and measure pockets between teeth and gums to assess severity. Based on this diagnosis, we create a personalised plan. For most people this means non-surgical root surface debridement, often called a deep cleaning. This is done under local anaesthetic and typically lasts 60-90 minutes per session. The goal is to remove plaque and tartar from below the gum line. After 8-12 weeks we review progress to see how your gums are healing. Then we establish a long-term maintenance plan with visits every 3-6 months to keep the condition stable.

Immediately after a deep cleaning you may experience mild tenderness and sensitivity for 2-3 days, easy to manage with over-the-counter painkillers like ibuprofen. Stick to a soft food diet for the first 24 hours. The most important part of your recovery is maintaining excellent oral hygiene at home. We will show you the best brushing and cleaning between teeth. Long-term, managing periodontitis requires ongoing effort. Attend maintenance appointments every 3, 4, or 6 months to slow progression. A Golders Green patient with early periodontitis stabilised their condition with quarterly hygiene visits after treatment. Red flags requiring immediate contact: Call our practice during office hours (Mon/Wed/Fri 9-5, Tue/Thu 11-7) if you have severe or increasing pain after 3 days, significant swelling, or signs of an abscess. For emergencies outside these hours, please call 111.

Treatment should match the condition’s severity. If you have mild gingivitis, a series of standard hygiene appointments may reverse it. This approach is less invasive and focuses on improving your home care routine. If your gum disease is very advanced with deep pockets and significant bone loss, the best option may be a referral to a specialist periodontist for surgical treatment. We believe in honest care and will always recommend the most suitable path for your situation during your consultation at our Finchley practice.

To choose what’s right for you, ask key questions whether you visit us or another practice in the Golders Green area. Start with, 'What are the depths of my gum pockets and what stage is my gum disease at?' Then inquire about the recommended treatment plan: 'How many deep cleaning sessions will I need, and over what period?' It’s also wise to understand the long-term outlook: 'What is the proposed maintenance schedule after the initial treatment?' Finally, be clear on finances: 'What is the total cost for the initial course of treatment, and what is the price per maintenance visit?'

We are a private dental practice and do not offer NHS periodontal treatment. The cost of gum disease treatment depends on its severity and the number of appointments required. After your initial consultation and diagnosis, we provide a fully itemised treatment plan with no hidden fees so you know the investment needed to stabilise your gum health. We accept several private dental insurance plans, including Max Bupa, Denplan, and Cigna. Please tell our team if you have coverage and we can help with the necessary paperwork.