General & preventive
Gum disease treatment in Putney
A clear protocol for preventing and treating gum disease, shared between your dentist, our hygienist and our periodontal consultant. We chart your gums at every examination and act early.
Clinically reviewed by Dr Glafcos Tombolis, BDS, GDC 74754
Last reviewed 27 September 2026
Gum disease treatment at Ethicare, in brief
How much does it cost?
Your gums are charted as part of an examination (£85). Deep cleaning with local anaesthetic is £165 a visit. Treatment with our periodontal consultant is priced after assessment.
Who treats it?
Your dentist and Sylwia, our hygienist, working to one protocol. Pockets that do not respond are referred to our periodontal consultant.
Can I pay monthly?
Hygiene visits are included in our Denplan plans from £24.82 a month, and members get 10% off private treatment.
How long does it take?
Deep cleaning, then a review two to three months later to see whether the pockets have reduced. Once stable, you need hygiene visits every three to four months to keep it that way.
Gum disease is quiet until it isn't.
At every examination we score your gums section by section, looking for bleeding, inflammation, recession and pockets where the bone has started to go. A high score means more detailed charting, at six points around each tooth, so we know exactly where the problem is.
Pockets are cleaned thoroughly by Sylwia, with local anaesthetic where needed, and your dentist reviews them two to three months later. A pocket that closes means a healthy environment has been created. One that does not respond, despite good home care, is referred to our periodontal consultant, who can carry out more involved procedures to eliminate pockets and, in some cases, regenerate bone.
- Gums scored at every examination
- Deep cleaning with local anaesthetic
- Reviewed at two to three months
- Referral to our periodontal consultant when needed
“He is extremely patient and thorough and makes time to explain all procedures fully and answer any questions.”
Your gum treatment, step by step
- 01AssessmentYour gums are scored and, where needed, charted in detail so we know where the pockets are.
- 02Deep cleaningSylwia cleans the affected areas thoroughly, below the gum line, with local anaesthetic if needed.
- 03ReviewTwo to three months later your dentist re-measures the pockets to see how they have responded.
- 04Maintain, or referStable gums need hygiene visits every three to four months. Pockets that have not responded are referred to our periodontal consultant.
What if my gums don't respond?
Most gum disease responds to thorough cleaning and good home care. Where a pocket does not, the reason is often the shape of the roots or a spot that is hard to reach, and our periodontal consultant can treat it with more involved procedures. If you consider your case severe, or your own dentist has referred you, you can see our periodontal consultant straight away.
Gum disease questions
Something else? Call us on 020 8870 5059 or send a WhatsApp message.
How do you know if I have gum disease?
At your examination we score your gums using the CPITN system, which grades each section of your mouth from 0, perfect health, to 4, more severe bone loss. A score of 4 means detailed charting at six points around each tooth so we can measure the pockets.
Does gum treatment hurt?
Deep cleaning below the gum line can be uncomfortable, so we use local anaesthetic. Most patients find it much less unpleasant than they expected, and tender gums settle within days.
Will my gums grow back?
Standard treatment creates a healthy environment and stops the disease progressing, but it does not regrow lost bone or gum. Some procedures carried out by our periodontal consultant can regenerate bone in certain cases.
How often will I need to see the hygienist afterwards?
Usually every three to four months. Gum disease is episodic, so keeping the bacteria under control with regular visits and good home care is what protects your teeth.
How much does gum disease treatment cost at Ethicare?
Assessment is part of a £85 examination. Deep cleaning with local anaesthetic is £165 a visit, and a one-hour appointment with Airflow is £215. Treatment with our periodontal consultant is priced after assessment.
