Gum treatment in London

Gum treatment (periodontics) is the branch of dentistry that manages gum disease, bleeding gums, receding gums and loose teeth. 1,254 London practices name gum work on their own websites and 548 publish a price.

What gum treatment costs in London

The median advertised starting price across London is £150, with most practices between £110 and £195. The borough table below shows where that sits cheapest and dearest.

The range is wide because the label covers different work:

• Basic scaling by a hygienist at £60 to £100 sits at the bottom. That is a routine clean rather than periodontal treatment proper; if your gums have been fine, this is what you need. See dental hygienist in London for that.
• Root surface debridement (also called deep cleaning or root planing) is what a practice usually means by “periodontal treatment” in the low-to-mid range. Numbs the area, cleans under the gum, per quadrant of the mouth. Typically £120 to £250 per quadrant, so a whole-mouth course can be four times the advertised starting price.
• Specialist periodontal treatment with a periodontist starts higher again. Referrals for advanced cases or gum surgery are usually £300 upwards per session, and can be considerably more.

When you ring round, ask which of those you are being quoted for, whether the fee is per quadrant or per course, and how many appointments are expected. A “gum treatment from £95” quote that turns into four £95 appointments is a very different bill.

Gum disease matters more than most people realise

Two things worth knowing:

• Gum disease is the leading cause of adult tooth loss in the UK. Not decay.
• It is largely painless in the early stages, so most people who have it do not know.

The signs to look for are bleeding when you brush or floss, gums that look receded or that bleed when the hygienist checks pocket depths, and persistent bad breath. If any of that sounds familiar, book an assessment sooner rather than a routine check-up later.

NHS versus private

Gum treatment is available on the NHS at Band 2, which covers the whole course of treatment however many appointments it takes. That is much cheaper than private per-quadrant fees, and it is charged the same nationally regardless of borough.

The catch is access. Most London practices with NHS lists are currently full for adults. See our NHS dentists in London hub for the current charges and how to find a practice still taking patients.

What to ask before you book

• Am I being quoted for basic hygiene or for periodontal treatment?
• Is the fee per quadrant of the mouth, per appointment, or for the full course?
• Does the practice have an in-house periodontist, or refer out?
• After treatment, what does the maintenance schedule look like? Periodontal disease is managed rather than cured, and regular follow-ups matter more than the one-off deep clean.

Alternatives worth thinking about

If your gums bleed occasionally but you have never had a periodontal assessment, start with a hygienist appointment and ask them to check pocket depths. That is often enough. If they find pockets deeper than 4mm, they will recommend the fuller treatment on this page.

For everything a dentist can do, see general dentistry in London or the borough-by-borough view on our London Dental Cost Index.

This information is a general guide and is not a substitute for professional dental advice. Always consult a qualified dentist about your individual circumstances.

Written and reviewed by the Dentist-London.com Editorial team. Last reviewed 14 August 2026. Prices shown are indicative ranges, not quotes - confirm costs directly with the practice.