Gum Disease Treatment for Patients in North London

If you notice any signs of gum disease, book an assessment. Early intervention helps prevent irreversible damage. Common symptoms include gums that bleed when you brush or floss, persistent bad breath that does not improve with cleaning, and red, swollen, or tender gums. As the condition progresses, you may see receding gums that make teeth look longer or teeth that feel loose. These signals show the infection affecting the bone that supports your teeth, so professional care is needed right away. Many of our patients from across North London seek help when they notice these changes and want to prevent further issues.

First you will have a 60 minute consultation with our dental hygienist. They will perform a detailed examination and measure pockets between teeth and gums to assess the severity. Based on these findings we will create a personalised treatment plan. For early stage gum disease or gingivitis, a thorough professional cleaning and tailored oral hygiene advice may be all that is needed. For more advanced periodontitis, treatment involves a deep cleaning known as scaling and root planing, usually over two to four 60 minute appointments. This procedure removes plaque and tartar from below the gum line. A follow-up appointment is scheduled for 6 to 8 weeks later to check healing and progress.

We recently helped a patient from Muswell Hill who was concerned about bleeding gums. A 60 minute hygiene visit removed the plaque causing inflammation, and with improved home care her symptoms resolved. Another patient from Barnet had deeper pockets and gum recession. He needed two sessions of scaling and root planing under local anaesthetic. After treatment and a dedicated home care routine, pocket depths reduced significantly at the 6 week review, halting the disease from progressing.

After a deep cleaning session you may feel mild tenderness and sensitivity for a few days. You can manage this with your usual pain relief. Your hygienist will give clear instructions on home cleaning, which is the most important part of long term success. This includes using interdental brushes or floss daily to clean between your teeth. You should attend regular hygiene appointments every three to six months to prevent a relapse. It is a lifelong commitment, but it helps protect your teeth. Red flags requiring contact include severe or increasing pain, significant swelling, or signs of an abscess after treatment. Office hours are Monday, Wednesday, and Friday 9 to 5, and Tuesday and Thursday 11 to 7. For emergencies outside those times, call 111 or visit the nearest A and E.

The primary treatment for gum disease is non surgical deep cleaning performed by a hygienist. There are no direct alternatives to removing the bacterial cause. The intensity of the approach varies. For mild gingivitis, routine professional cleaning plus excellent home care is often enough. For moderate to advanced periodontitis, the most effective option is scaling and root planing. If disease is very advanced and non surgical treatment does not suffice, we may refer you to a specialist for surgical procedures. The main alternative is no treatment at all, which leads to continued bone loss and eventual tooth loss. Our philosophy is to save natural teeth whenever possible.

To make an informed choice about your care, whether with us or another practice in North London, here are important questions to ask:

The cost of gum disease treatment depends on the severity of your condition. A simple hygiene visit for early gingivitis costs less than a full course of scaling and root planing for periodontitis. After your initial assessment, we will provide a fully itemised plan with clear, transparent costs and no hidden fees. We are a private dental practice and do not offer NHS periodontal services. However, we accept several private dental insurance plans, including Max Bupa, Denplan, and Cigna. Please let our reception team know if you have coverage, and we will help with the necessary paperwork.