Gum Infection Treatment in Finchley for Healthy Gums

You should book a dental assessment if you notice classic gum disease signs. Early gingivitis is usually painless, so watch for visual cues. Key indicators include gums that bleed when you brush or floss, appear red and swollen rather than pale pink and firm, or persistent bad breath that does not improve with cleaning. If untreated, this can progress to periodontitis, where you might see gum recession, teeth appearing longer, or teeth becoming loose. About half of UK adults have some level of periodontitis, so seeking advice early is the best way to prevent serious damage. If you are in Finchley and notice these signs, a professional evaluation is your first step.

Your treatment journey begins with a thorough 45 minute consultation. First, we perform a detailed exam, measuring the small gaps between teeth and gums, known as pockets. Healthy pockets are 1-3 mm deep; deeper readings signal active disease. Then, based on diagnosis, the treatment moves forward. For early gingivitis, a professional scale and polish lasting around 45-60 minutes is usually enough to remove plaque and tartar. For more advanced periodontitis, a course of deep cleaning, called non-surgical periodontal therapy or root planing, is required. This is done with local anaesthetic for your comfort and is split over two or more 60 minute appointments. Finally, you will have a follow-up review 4-6 weeks later to see how your gums are healing and to set up a long-term maintenance plan.

A patient from East Finchley visited us with bleeding gums. During the assessment we found early signs of gingivitis with 4 mm pockets. We performed a single 60-minute deep clean session using advanced airflow technology and provided personalised home care advice. At the follow-up a month later, the bleeding had stopped completely and the gums were healthy and firm. This shows early intervention often reverses the condition.

Immediately after a deep clean, it is normal to experience some mild tenderness or sensitivity for a few days, which is easily managed with standard pain relief. Your gums feel different as the swelling subsides. The most important part of aftercare is maintaining excellent oral hygiene at home to prevent plaque from building up again. This includes brushing twice daily and cleaning between your teeth every day with interdental brushes or floss. We will demonstrate the most effective technique for your specific needs. Regular hygiene appointments, typically every 3-6 months, are essential to maintain your results and prevent the infection from returning.

While complications are rare, you should call us during office hours (Mon/Wed/Fri 9-5, Tue/Thu 11-7) if you experience severe pain that is not relieved by painkillers, excessive bleeding that lasts more than a few hours, or signs of infection such as significant swelling or fever. For emergencies outside these hours, please call 111 or visit your nearest A&E.

For active gum infection, professional cleaning is the only effective solution. There are no safe at-home cures. The main alternative is no treatment, which lets the disease progress. This leads to bone loss around the teeth, making them loose or requiring extraction. For severe cases where non-surgical treatment is not enough, we would refer you to a specialist for surgical options such as flap surgery or gum grafts. For the vast majority of Finchley patients, non-surgical treatment at our practice remains the best approach for managing gum disease.

To make an informed choice about your care, whether with us or another practice in North London, here are key questions to ask. First, based on your gum measurements, do you have gingivitis or periodontitis? This helps clarify the severity. Also ask what specific treatment you recommend and how many visits it will take. It is important to understand the full plan. Inquire about costs by asking what is the total fee for the recommended treatment and does it include follow-up visits. Finally, ask what home care routine you need to follow to maintain the results for long-term success.

As a fully private practice, NHS services are not offered. The cost depends on severity. A standard hygiene appointment for gingivitis starts from £95. For deeper cleaning for periodontitis, costs start from £280 per session. A complete plan will be provided after your initial assessment with no hidden fees. This fee includes local anaesthetic and detailed home care instructions. We accept private insurance plans such as Denplan, Cigna, and Max Bupa. Please contact us with your policy details so we can advise on coverage.