Persistent gum inflammation can progress to periodontitis, damaging the tissues that support your teeth. Infection can cause gum recession, bone loss and risk of tooth loss.
Deep gum pockets allow bacteria and tartar to accumulate beneath the gum line. The infection can destroy bone and ligaments supporting your teeth, causing teeth to loosen or even fall out.
Receding gums expose tooth roots, increasing sensitivity and risk of root decay. Bone loss weakens support to your teeth, causing them to shift or become loose.
As periodontal disease destroys bone and tissues supporting your teeth, affected teeth can become mobile, making chewing uncomfortable and affecting your bite.
Non-surgical periodontal treatments aim to control infection and restore health of your gums without resorting to surgery. This includes professional cleanings, improved oral hygiene routines, antibacterial rinses, and deep cleaning procedures like scaling and root planing to remove plaque and reduce gum inflammation.
Surgical periodontal treatment for gum disease is used in advanced cases where deep pockets or bone loss are present. Procedures include flap surgery, bone grafts, and tissue regeneration to restore support, eliminate infection, and preserve natural teeth when non-surgical methods are no longer effective.
Our periodontal treatment for gum disease starts with an examination. The dentist will assess your gum health and provide you a treatment plan with clear prices. This will include a 6 point pocket chart.
Once you are happy to proceed, we will book you for treatment appointments with the periodontist (usually 2-4 appointments are needed to complete your periodontal treatment).
Once your gums have been treated, we will book you for regular sessions with the hygienist (usually 3 monthly) to stabilise your gums so they remain healthy.
What it does – Scaling and root planing is a procedure that removes plaque & tartar from below the gum line. It also smooths tooth roots to help gums reattach & heal.
When it’s needed – It is commonly used to treat early-moderate gum disease when bacteria have formed deep pockets around the teeth. The goal is to stop infection and prevent further damage.
How it works – It is carried out using specialised instruments to clean below the gum line, often under local anaesthetic. Root surfaces are smoothed to reduce future bacterial buildup.
Why it matters – It helps stabilise gum disease and protects against tooth loss/ongoing inflammation. Its a key step in restoring long-term gum health.
What it does: Flap surgery reduces deep periodontal pockets by lifting the gums to remove bacteria and tartar from beneath the gum line and, where appropriate, reshape damaged supporting bone.
When it’s needed: It may be recommended when deep gum pockets and active periodontitis persist despite professional deep cleaning and good oral hygiene.
How it works: The periodontist gently lifts the gum tissue, cleans the exposed tooth roots, may reshape damaged bone if necessary, and repositions the gums with stitches to help the tissues heal.
Why it matters: By reducing pocket depth and making the affected areas easier to clean, flap surgery helps control periodontal infection and reduce the risk of further bone loss and tooth loss.
What they do: These advanced periodontal procedures target damage that ordinary gum disease treatment cannot fully repair, including exposed tooth roots, missing bone and destroyed supporting tissues. Each procedure addresses a different problem to improve the protection or stability of teeth affected by periodontal disease.
When they’re needed: Gum grafts may be recommended for significant gum recession, while bone grafts and guided tissue regeneration may be suitable for specific defects caused by periodontal bone loss.
How they work: Gum grafts involve attaching additional tissue to areas where gum coverage is inadequate, while bone grafts place graft material into selected areas of bone loss. Guided tissue regeneration uses a specialised membrane, sometimes alongside graft material, to encourage the growth of new supporting tissues in suitable defects.
Why they matter: Gum grafts can protect exposed roots and reduce sensitivity, while successful bone regeneration can improve the support around affected teeth. Guided tissue regeneration may restore some of the attachment lost through gum disease, helping improve the long-term outlook for teeth that might otherwise be at risk.
If you are wondering about how much does periodontal treatment cost – prices for periodontal treatment for gum disease with our dentists and periodontists in London is noted below.
|
Examination |
£65 |
|
6 Point Pocket Chart |
£85 |
|
Scaling & Root Planing |
from £180 |
|
Debridement |
from £150 |
|
Periodontal treatment (per quadrant) |
typically £200-£300 |
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Bleeding gums, gum recession and loose teeth are often signs of gum disease. Gum disease damages gum tissues and bones that support teeth. Early periodontal treatment can help fix and manage the infection, thus reducing risk of permanent gum and bone damage and tooth loss.
Professional periodontal treatment removes plaque and hardened tartar from beneath the gum line, targeting the bacteria responsible for gum inflammation and infection. The treatment you need depends on the severity of your gum disease and may include deep cleaning, root surface debridement or specialist periodontal care.
Leaving advanced gum disease untreated can lead to progressive bone loss, receding gums and teeth becoming loose or needing extraction. Our dental team will assess your gum health and recommend a targeted treatment plan to help preserve your natural teeth wherever possible.
Do not wait for bleeding gums or loose teeth to get worse before seeking professional help. Book a periodontal assessment at Whites Dental in London to identify the extent of the damage and find out which treatment options are suitable for you. Periodontal assessment and gum disease treatment are available at our Marble Arch W2 and Waterloo SE1 clinics in Central London.
Treatment is planned according to the condition of your gums, the depth of periodontal pockets, any loss of supporting tissue or bone and how the disease responds to initial care. Depending on your needs, this may include periodontal assessment, scaling and root planing, debridement and ongoing maintenance.
Patients with more complex or advanced periodontal problems can be assessed to determine whether additional or specialist periodontal care is required.
At Whites Dental, both Dr Romina and Dr Ravinder are very experienced dentists. Dr Romina has been treating gum disease for 15 years and Dr Ravinder has been providing periodontal care for over 18 years. Dr Ravinder is also a very experienced dental surgeon. Our surgery rooms are very modern, with the latest state of the art equipment. These are some of the advantages of having periodontal treatment with our dentists and surgeons at Whites Dental.
An experienced gum disease dentist can diagnose and manage most cases of gum disease, including moderate and moderate-severe stages and also carry out more advanced non-surgical treatments. This means many patients can be treated successfully without needing a specialist straight away. However, very severe or complex cases are usually managed by a periodontist.
A dentist is experienced in identifying and treating a wide range of gum conditions. This includes being able to treat moderate to moderate-severe cases and be able to recognise those needing more intensive care. A periodontist has additional specialist training focused entirely on very advanced gum disease and complex cases.
An experienced dentist can provide deep cleaning, root surface debridement and more advanced periodontal treatments to help control gum disease. These treatments are often effective even when the condition has progressed into the moderate to moderate-advanced stage. For severe cases involving significant bone loss or complex reconstruction, a periodontist is usually required.
A dentist will manage most gum disease cases, even when they require more advanced non-surgical treatment. Referral to a periodontist is considered when the disease becomes severe, complicated or does not respond as expected to treatment. This ensures patients receive specialist care when their condition goes beyond general dental management.
| Area | Experienced Dentist | Periodontist |
|---|---|---|
| Scope Of Treatment | Manages moderate to moderate-sever gum disease and can provide more advanced non-surgical treatments. | Focuses on complex and severe gum disease cases, especially advanced or high-risk conditions. |
| Level Of Expertise | Strong experience in identifying and treating gum disease up to moderate to moderate-severe cases. | Specialist training dedicated entirely to gum disease and supporting bone structures. |
| Treatment Capabilities | Deep cleaning, root surface debridement and non-surgical periodontal care for most cases. | Advanced procedures including gum surgery, regeneration, and complex reconstruction. |
| Referral Thresholds | Refers when cases become severe, complex, or unresponsive to treatment. | Receives referrals for advanced disease requiring specialist intervention. |
Feel free to get in touch with our reception team to book an appointment for gum disease treatment with our periodontists in London.
Gingivitis is the early stage of gum disease and is associated with inflammation caused by plaque accumulating around the gum line. Gums may appear red or swollen and may bleed during brushing or interdental cleaning. Gingivitis can usually be reversed with effective plaque control and professional dental care, but if inflammation is not controlled, some patients can progress to periodontitis.
Periodontitis is an advanced stage of gum disease that occurs when untreated gingivitis spreads below the gum line. It causes inflammation, gum recession, bone loss, and loose teeth. Without treatment, it can lead to tooth loss and impact overall health. Periodontitis requires professional care to manage and prevent further damage.
One of the first and most reported symptom of gum disease is swelling of the gums. Or inflammation in other words. They may appear red, puffy, and feel tender to the touch. Inflammation is your body’s natural response to infection, and in the case of gum disease, it’s usually caused by a build up of plaque and bacteria along the gum line.
Bleeding during brushing or interdental cleaning can be a sign of gum inflammation and is commonly associated with gingivitis. Persistent bleeding should be assessed to identify the underlying cause and determine whether periodontal care is required. Read more about the causes, symptoms and treatment of bleeding gums.
Frequent and ongoing bad breath (also called halitosis) or a frequent bad taste in the mouth is often associated with gum disease. This is usually caused by the build up of bacteria ( that release foul-smelling gases and toxins) associated with gum disease in the mouth.
As gum disease progresses, the gum tissue can start to recede or pull away from the teeth, making the teeth look longer than usual. As the gums recede, they expose the roots of the teeth, which causes sensitivity. Receding gums can be a significant concern.
Roots of the teeth that get exposed due to receding gums can often lead to higher sensitivity to hot and cold food and drinks. You can also experience increase sensitivity to acidic or sweet foods and drinks.
In advanced stages of gum disease (periodontitis), the supporting structures around the teeth begin to break down. Teeth can start to loosen or shift. Bite alignment can also change, making it uncomfortable to chew or close your mouth properly.
Plaque, which is a thin, sticky film of bacteria, if it is not removed every day with a good oral hygiene regime, hardens and forms tartar – leading to gum inflammation and early signs of gum disease.
Smoking is known to weaken the immune system; it also reduces the flow of blood to your gums. Both these factors increase risk of infection to the gums. Smoking is also known to hide the early signs of gum disease.
Shifts in hormone levels during puberty, pregnancy or menopause can make gums more sensitive. This shift in hormone levels then increases the changes of gum inflammation and gum irritation.
Conditions like diabetes and medications that reduce saliva flow make it harder to fight gum infections. A dry mouth environment encourages bacterial growth.
Some individuals are genetically predisposed to gum disease. Even with good oral care, they may develop issues without regular dental monitoring.
Lack of nutrients, especially vitamin C, weakens gum tissue and immune response. This slows healing and makes gums more vulnerable to infection.
Chronic stress lowers your body’s ability to fight infections. This can allow plaque bacteria to spread and worsen gum inflammation.
Periodontal treatment is a specialised approach to managing gum disease and protecting the structures that support the teeth. It focuses on removing harmful bacteria and stabilising the condition to prevent further progression.
Treatment commonly includes deep cleaning procedures such as scaling and root planing to remove deposits below the gum line. In more advanced cases, additional therapies may be used to restore gum health and improve stability.
Without treatment, gum disease can lead to tooth loss and damage to the underlying bone. Ongoing maintenance care after treatment is essential to keep the condition under control and protect long-term oral health.
After periodontal treatment, it’s important to follow strict oral hygiene practices to aid healing of your gums. Patients should gently brush and floss as advised, avoid hard or sticky foods and rinse with any prescribed mouthwash to reduce bacteria and protect treated gums.
Long-term aftercare focuses on preventing gum disease from recurring. Regular periodontal check-ups every 3–6 months, combined with professional cleanings with the hygienist, support gum stability, while consistent at-home care helps maintain results and safeguard overall oral health.
Whites Dental Waterloo
172 Blackfriars Rd, London SE1 8ER
020 8616 0590
Waterloo dentist clinic in SE1 – located right next to Southwark Underground station, the dental clinic is walking distance from London Bridge Station, Borough Market, Southbank and Elephant and Castle.
Whites Dental Marble Arch (W2)
52B Kendal St, St George’s Fields, London W2 2BP
020 3576 2325
Marble Arch dentist clinic in W2 is a short walk from Paddington Rail Station, Hyde Park, Oxford Street, Maida Vale, Bayswater, Marylebone& the West End.