To go private and pay a small fortune to have receding gum treated?

[Bumbalaya]

I went to the dentists today.
I have recently noticed that the gum on one of my bottom teeth has begun to recede (quite badly)
I had braces (age 30) a few years ago and have a wire on the bottom front teeth to hold them in place.
I brush and floss my teeth religiously but had a bad foundation as my parents didn't encourage dental hygiene at all so I have tonnes of fillings.
The dentist told me that the NHS no longer do treatment for receding gums and that I'll have to go private and pay for the operation.
Does anyone have any experience of a)just leaving it and keeping it clean or b) Having the operation?
I'd be really grateful for any opinions.
Thank you.

Thanks for starting the thread, @Bumbalaya. I feel I have options now.

I'm quite shocked that people are not being told gum grafts are a possibility.They definitely are as I had one (in London) but it cost more like £1000 so probably best done outside London.

I had also previously had braces as an adult. Apparently former braces wearers are their best customers!

Google is your friend!

I have the same problem - receding gums behind my lower teeth due to having a permanent retainer. I've googled gum grafts but I'm going to talk to my dentist next week about doing dental bonding instead. It will close up the gaps between my teeth and stop the receding, but I'm also hoping it will bond the lower teeth in place so I can have the retainer removed. Might be worth looking into!

Thank you all so much for your thoughtful replies. I'm sorry to hear so many of you are in the same boat but weren't even pointed in the direction of private care as an option.
My consultation will be £150 !!!!
My operation will be £500!!!!! My (much needed apparently even though they've not even seen me yet) deep clean will be £150 !!!
Did I mention I'm reeeeeeally poor and terrified of dentists.
I think I'm destined to a life of looking like an medievel peasant.
But I think that's the aesthetic this current governments going for.

I know this is old, but how did it go? Just got back from hygienist and gums receding even more even though I use flossing tools and an electric toothbrush.

I'm very conscious of my teeth. Wonky and receded. Many of them, not just a few.