Gum Disease Treatment in Plantation, FL

Healthy gums hold your smile together. When they bleed, swell or start to pull away from your teeth, it's often a sign of gum disease - and the right time to see a periodontist. At Westside Dental Center, gum disease treatment in Plantation, FL is led by Dr. Sawan Malik, a board-certified periodontist skilled in all surgical aspects of periodontics and implant dentistry.

Working alongside Dr. Uttma Dham and our hygiene team, Dr. Malik diagnoses gum problems early, treats them with the most conservative option that will work and helps you keep your natural teeth for life.

What does a periodontist do?

A periodontist is a dentist with several additional years of specialty training in the gums and the bone that supports your teeth. Periodontists diagnose and treat periodontal disease, repair gum recession, place dental implants and manage complex cases where the foundation of your smile needs extra care.

What is gum disease?

Gum disease is a bacterial infection of the tissues around your teeth. It starts as gingivitis - red, swollen gums that bleed easily - which can be reversed with professional care and good home habits. Left untreated, it can progress to periodontitis, where the infection damages the bone that holds your teeth in place.

Periodontal disease is very common - according to the CDC, about 4 in 10 U.S. adults age 30 and older have some level of periodontitis. Because it's often painless in the early stages, regular checkups are the best way to catch it.

Signs of gum disease

• Gums that bleed when you brush or floss
• Red, swollen or tender gums
• Bad breath or a bad taste that won't go away
• Receding gums, or teeth that look longer than before
• Loose or shifting teeth, or a change in your bite
• Pus between your teeth and gums

Gum disease treatment options

• Deep cleaning (scaling and root planing): removes plaque and tartar from below the gum line and smooths the root surfaces so your gums can heal and reattach.
• Laser gum treatment: the Fotona laser removes infected gum tissue precisely and reduces bacteria deep in the gum pocket, often with less discomfort and faster healing.
• Periodontal maintenance: specialized cleanings every three to four months to keep gum disease under control.
• Advanced and surgical care: when it's needed, treatments such as gum grafting for recession, pocket reduction and bone grafting help repair damage and protect your teeth.
• Dental implants: if a tooth can't be saved, Dr. Malik and Dr. Dham can replace it with a dental implant.

Can gum disease be reversed?

Gingivitis can usually be reversed with a professional cleaning and better daily habits. Periodontitis can't be fully cured, but it can be controlled - treatment stops the infection, and regular maintenance keeps it from coming back. Lost bone doesn't regrow on its own, but in some cases regenerative procedures can help rebuild support.

Your gums and your overall health

Research has linked periodontal disease to other health conditions, including heart disease and diabetes, and to complications during pregnancy. Keeping your gums healthy is good for your smile and your whole body.

Dr. Malik sees patients for gum disease treatment from Plantation, Sunrise, Davie, Weston and Fort Lauderdale. Start with a gum health evaluation, or ask about it at your next cleaning.