Gum treatment in London

Gum treatment (periodontics) deals with gum disease, bleeding gums, receding gums and loose teeth.

What gum treatment costs in London

The London median published starting price for gum treatment is £150. Half of all practices start between £110 and £195. The borough table on this page shows where it costs least and most.

The range is wide because “gum treatment” covers different work:

• A scale and polish by a hygienist is the cheapest. It is a routine clean, not treatment for gum disease. If your gums are healthy, this is usually what you need. See dental hygienist in London.
• Root surface debridement is also called a deep clean or root planing. The dentist or hygienist numbs the area and cleans under the gum. It is often priced per quadrant (a quarter of the mouth), so treating the whole mouth can cost up to 4 times the advertised price.
• Treatment by a periodontist (a gum specialist) costs more. This is usually for advanced gum disease or gum surgery, often after a referral.

When you call a practice, ask which of these the price is for. Ask whether it is per quadrant, per appointment or for the whole course, and how many appointments you will need. A price of “from £95” can become 4 appointments at £95 each.

Why gum disease matters

Gum disease is one of the main causes of tooth loss in adults. In the early stages it usually does not hurt, so many people who have it do not know.

Signs to look for:

• gums that bleed when you brush or floss
• red or swollen gums
• gums that have moved back from the teeth
• bad breath that does not go away

If you notice any of these, book an assessment soon. Do not wait for your next routine check-up.

NHS or private

Gum treatment is available on the NHS. A simple scale is part of Band 1 (£27.90). Deeper treatment for gum disease is part of Band 2 (£76.60). Band 2 covers the whole course of treatment, however many appointments it takes. This is usually much cheaper than private prices per quadrant.

Since 23 June 2026, some NHS patients aged 16 and over can join a care pathway. This is a planned course of care over 6 or 12 months. It is for people with decay in 5 or more teeth and unstable gum disease, or a first diagnosis of advanced gum disease (Stage III or unstable Grade C periodontitis). Most people on a pathway pay one Band 2 charge, or Band 3 if they need that treatment. Ask your NHS dentist whether it applies to you. Our guide to NHS dental care pathways explains who qualifies, what you get and what to ask.

The hard part is getting an NHS appointment. In our check of nhs.uk on 5 October 2026, 342 of 779 London NHS practices (44%) said they take new adult patients. See our NHS dentists in London page.

Questions to ask before you book

• Is this a routine clean or treatment for gum disease?
• Is the price per quadrant, per appointment or for the whole course?
• Do you have a periodontist at the practice, or do you refer patients elsewhere?
• What happens after treatment? Gum disease is controlled rather than cured, so regular follow-up visits matter more than one deep clean.

Where to start

If your gums bleed sometimes but no one has ever checked them properly, start with a hygienist appointment. Ask the hygienist to measure the pockets around your teeth (the gaps between gum and tooth). Healthy pockets are shallow. If they find pockets of 4mm or more, they will usually suggest the fuller treatment described on this page.

For other routine care, see general dentistry in London. To compare prices in every borough, see our London Dental Cost Index.

Written and reviewed by the Dentist-London.com Editorial team. Last reviewed 6 October 2026. Prices are advertised starting prices, not quotes. Confirm the cost with the practice. This is general information and does not replace advice from a dentist about your own teeth.