Structure and Characteristics of Gums
- Gums are part of the soft tissue lining of the mouth.
- They surround the teeth and provide a seal around them.
- Most of the gums are tightly bound to the underlying bone.
- Healthy gums are usually coral pink in light-skinned people.
- Changes in color, swelling, and bleeding suggest inflammation.
- Marginal gums are the edge of the gums surrounding the teeth.
- The marginal gum varies in width from 0.5 to 2.0mm.
- It follows the scalloped pattern established by the cementoenamel junction.
- The marginal gum lacks stippling and is mobile or free from the tooth surface.
- Attached gums are continuous with the marginal gum.
- They are firm, resilient, and tightly bound to the underlying bone.
- The width of the attached gum varies according to its location.
- The greatest width is in the incisor region.
- Certain levels of attached gum are necessary for the stability of the tooth root.
- The interdental gum lies between the teeth.
- It occupies the gingival embrasure beneath the area of tooth contact.
- The interdental papilla can be pyramidal or have a col shape.
- The col varies in depth and width depending on the tooth surfaces.
- The col is mainly present in the broad interdental gingiva of posterior teeth.
- Healthy gums usually have a smooth curved or scalloped contour.
- They have a firm texture with surface stippling.
- Healthy gums usually have a coral pink color.
- Other colors like red, white, and blue can signify inflammation or pathology.
- Variation in color is possible due to various factors.
- Excess melanin can cause dark spots or patches on the gums.
- Gum depigmentation is a procedure used to remove discolorations.
- Uniformity of color is more important than the underlying color itself.
- Healthy gums have a smooth curved or scalloped appearance.
- They fill and fit each space between the teeth.
- Healthy gums hold tight to each tooth at the free gingival margin.
- Inflamed gums have a puffy or rolled margin.
- Healthy gums have a knife-edge thin gum surface at the free gingival margin.
- Healthy gums have a firm texture resistant to movement.
- The surface texture often exhibits surface stippling.
- Unhealthy gums are often swollen and less firm.
- Healthy gums have an orange-peel like texture due to the stippling.
- Unhealthy gums have a different texture due to inflammation.
- Healthy gums usually have no reaction to normal disturbance.
- Unhealthy gums show bleeding on probing or purulent exudate.
- Healthy gums are stable and do not bleed during brushing.
- Unhealthy gums may bleed or show pus when disturbed.
- Healthy gums have a normal response to periodontal probing.

Clinical Significance of Gums
- Improper or insufficient oral hygiene can lead to gum and periodontal disorders.
- Gingivitis and periodontitis are major causes of tooth failure.
- Anabolic steroids are associated with gingival enlargement.
- Gingival recession may indicate underlying inflammation.
- The gingival cavity microecosystem can support the growth of harmful microorganisms.

Related Topics
- Medicine portal
- Gum graft
- Head and neck anatomy
- Periodontitis

References
- Gum disease opens up the body to a host of infections (Science News, April 6, 2016)
- Illustrated Dental Embryology, Histology, and Anatomy (Bath-Balogh and Fehrenbach, Elsevier, 2011, page 123)
- Mosbys Medical Dictionary, 8th edition (2009, Elsevier)
- Gingival Recession - Causes and treatment (JADA, Vol 138, Oct 2007, American Dental Association)
- Dental sensitivity (mexicodentaldirectory.com, Retrieved on August 2010)

External Links
- Wikimedia Commons has media related to Gums
- Capnocytophaga sp.
- Preston D. Miller
- Willoughby D. Miller
- Carl E. Misch
- John Mankey Riggs
- Jay Seibert
- Jørgen Slots
- Paul Roscoe Stillman
- Dennis P. Tarnow

Gums (Wikipedia)

For other uses, see Gums (disambiguation).

The gums or gingiva (pl.: gingivae) consist of the mucosal tissue that lies over the mandible and maxilla inside the mouth. Gum health and disease can have an effect on general health.

Gums
Cross-section of a tooth with gums labeled
Details
Identifiers
Latin	gingiva
MeSH	D005881
TA98	A05.1.01.108 A03.1.03.003 A03.1.03.004
TA2	2790
FMA	59762
Anatomical terminology [edit on Wikidata]