Expert Gum Disease Treatment for Muswell Hill Residents

You should book an assessment if you are experiencing symptoms of gum disease, known as gingivitis in its early stages and periodontitis when advanced. Key signs include gums that bleed when you brush or floss, appearing red or swollen, and persistent bad breath that does not improve with cleaning. You may also notice your gums receding, making your teeth look longer, or feel new sensitivity. In more advanced cases, you might find your teeth feel loose. Many patients from Muswell Hill visit us for an initial check-up when they first notice bleeding, which is the ideal time to intervene before the condition progresses.

First, you will have a 60 minute consultation where we perform a full examination, including measuring the small pockets between your teeth and gums to assess the disease's severity. Next, treatment typically involves a series of hygiene appointments. For early gingivitis, a professional cleaning (scale and polish) lasting 45 to 60 minutes may be sufficient. For more advanced periodontitis, you will need a deeper cleaning called non-surgical root planing, which is done under local anaesthetic and may be split into two 60 to 90 minute sessions. Then, we schedule a follow-up review 6 to 8 weeks later to check how your gums are healing and plan your ongoing maintenance schedule.

Immediately after a deep cleaning, you may experience tenderness and sensitivity for 2 to 4 days. This is easily managed with over-the-counter pain relief. We advise sticking to softer foods for the first 24 hours. Your long-term aftercare is the most important part of treatment. This involves maintaining an excellent oral hygiene routine at home, including brushing twice daily with fluoride toothpaste and cleaning between your teeth every day. You'll also need regular follow-up hygiene appointments every 3 to 6 months to prevent the disease from returning. Red flags require you to call during office hours (Mon/Wed/Fri 9-5, Tue/Thu 11-7): increasing pain after day 3, significant swelling, or a fever. For out-of-hours emergencies, visit A&E or call 111.

When it comes to treating active gum disease, there are no effective alternatives to professional dental care. Left untreated, periodontitis will lead to bone loss and eventual tooth loss. The primary alternative is prevention through meticulous oral hygiene at home and regular dental check-ups. For very advanced cases where non-surgical treatment isn't enough, a referral for surgical treatment may be necessary to gain access to clean the root surfaces more effectively. However, over 85% of cases can be stabilised with the non-surgical approach we provide at our Finchley practice.

To choose what's right for you, it helps to ask key questions, whether you consult with us or another dentist near Muswell Hill. Ask about the stage of your gum disease and what that means for your treatment plan. Inquire about the full cost of the proposed treatment course and what is included. It is useful to ask how many appointments will be needed and what kind of long-term maintenance schedule they recommend to keep your gums healthy. Finally, ask about their experience treating cases like yours and what results you can realistically expect.

As a private dental practice, we do not offer NHS services. The cost of gum disease treatment varies depending on its severity. An initial consultation and assessment will determine the exact care you need. A course of non-surgical treatment will have a different fee structure than a standard hygiene appointment. We provide a fully itemised treatment plan with no hidden fees after your initial examination. We accept private dental insurance from providers including Max Bupa, Denplan, and Cigna, and can help you with the necessary paperwork for your claim.