Gum Infection Treatment for Muswell Hill Residents

You should book an assessment if you notice signs of gum infection. The Oral Health Foundation notes many UK adults have some gum disease, often without realizing it. Seek professional advice if you notice gums that bleed when you brush or floss, persistent bad breath, or red, swollen, or tender gums. More advanced signs include teeth looking longer from receding gums, pus between teeth and gums, or teeth feeling loose. A Muswell Hill patient came in with bleeding gums and thought it was normal; after one hygiene visit and tailored home care guidance, early gingivitis reversed and progression stopped.

Your treatment starts with a thorough 60 minute consultation. We examine your gums, measure pockets between teeth and gums, and take digital X rays to check bone health. For early gingivitis, a professional cleaning called a scale and polish often suffices. This 45 to 60 minute appointment removes the plaque and tartar buildup that causes the infection. If the infection is more advanced periodontitis, we perform a deeper cleaning called root surface debridement or root planing under local anaesthetic to ensure your comfort. It may be split over two visits. The procedure cleans below the gumline and smooths the tooth roots to help gums reattach and heal.

After a standard scale and polish you can resume daily activities with no downtime. After a deeper cleaning root planing you will have some mild tenderness and sensitivity for 2 to 3 days, which you can manage with over-the-counter painkillers such as ibuprofen. We recommend sticking to a soft food diet for the first 24 hours. The most important part of aftercare is maintaining excellent oral hygiene at home with the techniques we show you. We will schedule a follow-up appointment a few weeks later to check how your gums are 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 above 38°C. For emergencies outside these hours, call 111 or visit your nearest A&E.

There are no home remedies that replace professional treatment for active gum disease. Prevention is the best approach. To avoid gum infections maintain a daily routine of brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and cleaning between teeth with floss or interdental brushes. Regular hygiene appointments every 6 months help remove plaque you missed and spot early signs before they become a problem. For very advanced cases where significant bone loss has occurred, the alternative might be referral for surgical treatment, but our main goal is to manage and halt the disease without surgery.

To make an informed choice, whether you consult with us or another clinic in North London, here are some key questions to ask. What stage is my gum disease at? What specific treatment do you recommend and why? What is the full cost of the recommended treatment plan, including follow-ups? How often will I need to come back for maintenance appointments to keep my gums healthy? Can you show me the correct brushing and flossing techniques for my specific needs? Do you have experience treating cases similar to mine? A good dentist will provide clear, detailed answers and a long-term plan.

As a fully private dental practice, we do not offer NHS treatment. The cost of gum infection treatment depends entirely on the severity of your condition. A simple scale and polish will have a fixed fee, while a multi-session course of deep cleaning will cost more. Following your initial assessment, we will provide a fully itemised treatment plan with a clear breakdown of all costs, so there are no surprises. We accept a range of private dental insurance plans, including Max Bupa, Denplan, and Cigna. Please let our reception team know if you have coverage you would like to use.