Gum Infection Treatment Clinic in Finchley

Book an assessment as soon as you notice signs of gum disease. Early treatment helps prevent worse problems. The most common sign is gums that bleed during or after brushing. Other signs include red, swollen, or tender gums, persistent bad breath that does not improve with brushing, or a bad taste. As the infection progresses to periodontitis, gums may recede, making teeth look longer. In advanced stages you might see pus between teeth and gums or teeth that feel loose. If you notice any of these signs, see a dentist promptly.

Your treatment starts with a thorough 45 minute examination. We check your gums, measure pockets between teeth and gums, and may take digital x rays to assess bone health. For early gingivitis, a professional cleaning called a scale and polish removes plaque and tartar. Our hygienist will also offer advice to improve your home cleaning routine. If you have periodontitis, a deeper cleaning called root surface debridement is needed. It is usually done under local anaesthetic across two or more sixty minute sessions to ensure comfort. We clean below the gum line to remove bacteria from the roots, helping the gums heal and reattach.

After a standard scale and polish you can return to normal activities immediately. After a deep cleaning for periodontitis you may experience some tenderness and sensitivity for a few days. This is normal and is managed with over the counter pain relief. We recommend a soft food diet for the first 24 to 48 hours and avoiding very hot or cold drinks. Your gums may feel a little sore, but this should improve within a week. The most important part of aftercare is maintaining an excellent oral hygiene routine to prevent the infection from returning. This includes brushing twice daily with fluoride toothpaste and cleaning between your teeth with interdental brushes or floss every day. We will schedule a follow-up appointment about three months later to check your healing. Red flags—call during office hours (Mon/Wed/Fri 9-5, Tue/Thu 11-7): increasing pain after day 3, significant swelling, or a fever. For emergencies outside these hours, please call 111 or visit A&E.

The primary alternative to professional treatment for mild gingivitis is a strict, consistent at-home oral hygiene routine. While essential, this alone is often not enough to remove hardened tartar. For periodontitis, there is no effective at-home alternative to professional deep cleaning. If the disease is very advanced and has caused significant bone loss, the alternative might be referral for surgical periodontal treatment to gain better access for cleaning. In the most severe cases, where a tooth cannot be saved, the alternative is extraction followed by a replacement solution like a dental implant or a bridge. We always aim to save natural teeth and will discuss all viable options with you.

To help you decide on care, whether with us or another Finchley practice, here are key questions to ask: - How severe is my gum infection? Is it gingivitis or periodontitis? - What is the long-term prognosis for my teeth if I undergo this treatment? - How many appointments will the treatment require and what does it cost? - What are the specific home care instructions I need to follow after treatment? - How often will I need to come back for maintenance appointments to keep my gums healthy? - Do you accept my dental insurance, such as Denplan or Cigna?

As a private dental practice, we do not offer NHS treatment. The cost of gum infection treatment depends entirely on the severity of your condition. An initial consultation and assessment will determine the exact treatment plan you need. A simple hygienist visit for gingivitis will have a different cost from a multi-appointment course of deep cleaning for periodontitis. We will provide you with a fully itemised treatment plan with all costs clearly outlined before any work begins—there are no hidden fees. We accept private dental insurance from major providers including Max Bupa, Denplan, and Cigna, and our team can assist you with the necessary paperwork.