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- Monday to Friday, 9:00am-5:30pm. Saturdays by request only. Sunday: Closed.
Croydon Dental Practice · Gum health
Bleeding gums, bad breath or teeth that feel loose are worth taking seriously. We check your gums, explain what we find in plain English, and work with you on cleaning and home care at our dentist in Croydon on Lower Addiscombe Road.
Gum disease is caused by plaque, the sticky film of bacteria that builds up on teeth every day. If it is not removed, the gums react with inflammation. Most adults have some degree of gum inflammation at some point, and it often causes no pain at all, which is why it is easy to miss.
Gingivitis is the early stage. Gums may look red or puffy and bleed when you brush or floss. The good news is that gingivitis can usually be reversed with thorough cleaning at home and professional help to remove hardened tartar.
Periodontitis is the more advanced stage. Inflammation spreads below the gum line and the tissues and bone holding the teeth start to break down. Gaps, called pockets, form between the gum and tooth and collect more bacteria. Over time teeth can drift, become loose and, in some cases, be lost. The bone that has been lost does not grow back on its own, but periodontitis can often be stabilised and kept under control with treatment and good daily care.
Book a check if you notice any of the following. Gum disease is much easier to manage when it is picked up early.
Pink in the sink when you brush or floss is the most common early sign. Healthy gums do not usually bleed.
Persistent bad breath or an unpleasant taste that does not go away after brushing.
Teeth looking longer, gaps appearing near the gum line, or new sensitivity to hot and cold.
Teeth that feel wobbly, have started to spread apart, or a bite that feels different.
Red, swollen or sore gums, or a gum abscess with pus and throbbing pain.
Gum disease can progress quietly, especially in smokers, so regular checks matter even if all seems well.
Anyone can develop gum disease, but some factors make it more likely or more severe. Smoking is one of the biggest: it raises the risk of gum disease, slows healing and can hide bleeding, so the problem may be further along before it is noticed. Diabetes, especially when blood sugar is not well controlled, is linked with more severe gum disease, and there is evidence that gum inflammation can make blood sugar harder to manage. If you have diabetes, let us know and keep your GP or diabetes team informed.
Other factors include hormonal changes during pregnancy, some medicines that cause a dry mouth or gum overgrowth, stress, a family history of gum problems, and crowded teeth or braces that make cleaning harder. If any of these apply to you, we may suggest seeing the hygienist more often.
Treatment is tailored to what we find. Many people need only the first steps; others need a longer course of care.
After a professional clean, gums are often tender for a day or two and can feel slightly sensitive to cold. As inflammation settles, gums may tighten and shrink back a little, which can make teeth look longer or leave small gaps between them. This is a sign of healing rather than damage, but we will warn you if it is likely.
Gum treatment is not a one-off. Periodontitis needs ongoing maintenance, because the bacteria return within weeks if cleaning lapses. Most patients with a history of periodontitis see the hygienist regularly for the long term. Where gum disease is severe or does not respond, we may suggest a referral for further care.
What you do every day matters more than anything we do in the chair. Our team will show you which tools suit your mouth.
Two minutes, last thing at night and one other time, with a fluoride toothpaste. An electric toothbrush can help many people.
Interdental brushes in the right sizes, or floss where gaps are tight, once a day. Bleeding usually reduces as gums heal.
After brushing, spit out the toothpaste but do not rinse, so the fluoride keeps working.
Stopping smoking is one of the most useful things you can do for your gums. Your GP or pharmacy can help.
Your dentist confirms costs for your case before treatment begins.
| Treatment | Price |
|---|---|
| New patient examination with X-rays | £65 |
| Check-up & hygiene | £75 |
| Deeper cleaning below the gum line | Priced after assessment |
| NHS Band 1 (examination, scale and polish if needed) | £27.90 |
| NHS Band 2 (more extensive gum treatment) | £76.60 |
See our full price list. NHS places vary, so please call to check availability on our NHS dentist in Croydon page. Under-18s receive free NHS dental care.
Croydon Dental Practice is at 202 Lower Addiscombe Road, Addiscombe, Croydon CR0 7AB. Addiscombe tram stop is a short walk away and East Croydon station is nearby, so it is easy to reach from across the borough. We are open Monday to Friday, 9:00 to 17:30; Saturday appointments are by request and we are closed on Sunday.
Scale and polish appointments and personal home-care advice.
Regular examinations that include a gum health check.
Replacing teeth lost to gum disease, once gums are healthy and stable.
Straightening crowded teeth can make cleaning easier for some people.
Gingivitis can usually be reversed with good cleaning. Periodontitis cannot be reversed, as lost bone does not grow back, but it can often be stabilised with treatment and regular maintenance.
Bleeding is usually a sign of inflammation caused by plaque. Keep brushing gently and cleaning between teeth, and book a check so we can see what is going on.
A check-up and hygiene appointment is £75. Deeper cleaning below the gum line is priced after an assessment. NHS patients pay Band 1 (£27.90) or Band 2 (£76.60) depending on the treatment needed, when NHS places are available.
We usually numb the area with local anaesthetic for deeper cleaning. Gums can be tender and teeth sensitive for a few days afterwards.
Yes. Smoking increases the risk of gum disease, makes it harder to treat and can hide early warning signs such as bleeding.
It depends on your gums. After treatment we agree a maintenance interval with you, which may be every few months for people with a history of periodontitis.
Book a gum health check or hygiene appointment and get advice tailored to your mouth. Open Monday to Friday, 9:00 to 17:30.
